How to Make Antler Tables

Antler tables make distinctive centerpieces for any great room or den. It's not hard to introduce rustic elegance to your home with these easy-to-make tables. You can use moose, elk, deer or caribou antlers for these tables, or even experiment by combining any of these natural shed or faux antlers with what ever tabletop material that works for your room. Making your own antler tables can save you hundreds of dollars when compared to purchasing them. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Arrange your antlers as a table base. Have a partner hold the antlers as you have arranged them and wrap the touching tines, scoops, tips and bases with painter's tape. Keep in mind that the tines, scoops and tips touching the tabletop will be trimmed to provide a level table surface but the bottom antler sections will show and look more natural if they are not cut.

2

Drill pilot holes through the connecting antler sections with a hex shank countersink No. 8 drill bit installed in your drill.

3

Drill the screws into the countersunk holes with a power drill to secure your antler table base. Remove the tape.

4

Tie a 12-inch length of string 1 inch from the top of the 25-inch-long dowel.

5

Center the dowel in the antler base, wrap the string in a circular motion and mark any antler tines that need to be trimmed with a colored pencil.

6

Trim the antler tines with a reciprocating saw equipped with a multipurpose blade.

7

Apply home projects repair adhesive to the trimmed tines, scoops and tips that will contact the tabletop and press the tabletop onto the antler base, then pull the tabletop slightly away from the base and hold it there for three minutes before repositioning the tabletop onto the antler base.