Hi Barry,
Sounds like you've done this before and therefore are just the person I'm looking for.
Many times but mostly with Whitetail antlers and a few with elk
Hi Barry,
I've seen a You Tube video of a guy building two casting that will secure lag bolts that he screws into the antlers. You answered one question I had, that being that the lag screws aren't threaded into the antlers but are glued in, right? I figured the antler would crack if I tried to thread in a bolt or two. Will a single bolt hold these antlers? They seem pretty big, e.g. they'll create quite a moment force on that bolt. Another question, is it possible to build a wooden block with the appropriate angles to attach the antlers so they look natural? The video I saw had the guy making these castings in empty soft drink cans and he puts a 3/4" board under one side so the castings form on an angle.
I would not screw the lag/bolt into the shed - you may crack it! Drill an oversize hole up into the antler base from the white porous side. As big as bolt that you can get in an oversize hole or a section of all thread. Build whatever it takes, wood, bondo, fiberglass etc or a combination of 2 or more of those to mount the shed onto. Mount the bolts into your platform and test fit (slide) the antlers over the bolt. There should be some wiggle room to adjust the sheds' angle to match each other. Now fill the hole on the antler with your adhesive, 2 part epoxy, bondo, bubble gum etc. Put a sandwich bag over it which keep the goop from coming out. Flip the antler over and slide it back onto the exposed allthread at the correct angle you determined earlier. Hold it in place till it sets. Then live it over night to cure. Do the other side the same way to match the first one. Now use foam and/or plaster to form you a skull cap, let it dry and cover with felt, leather, spray flock it, paint it or whatever. Screw onto a wall plaque and be sure to sign the back of it. All thread is my fav since I can cut it to any length and really get a good length up into the antlers on elks.
Here's a pretty good write up on a great site.
http://www.taxidermy.net/forum/index.php/topic,265403.0.html
Van Dykes taxidermy Supply
McKenzies Taxidermy Supply
Both of those will sell supplies to the public
Barry