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Anyone know a source of large bone blanks. I'm looking for something about 5" long 3/8" thick by 1" tall. I'm experimenting on different bridge materials for one piece bridges for F and A style mandolins...Mike

Nope .. and even thinking back to when I made my own, the large chunks of leg bone used would'nt yield a piece that big without at least a curvature on the inside face, and maybe some rounding on the top/bottom.

You may have to ca some together ....

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

I might give up my left Femur...for the right price...???

Actually, I would also like to see some sources for larger pieces.

Kent Bailey

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Look for bones at pet stores. They usually have some good, bleached and clean ones of pretty good size. Butcher shops might also have good cattle leg bones, but you'll have to clean them your self.

-Matthew

Old ivory items on ebay? Watch for fake ivory though. I almost had an ivory mirror no one bid on, for 1.99, they said it was 'heavy' but it could have been fake bakelite over lead, you have to research the items. I thought ivory would be a nice historical touch for Baroque style guitars. (I also bought a Japanes masterpiece that was sold AS Ivory, and got it for $120.00, but it was a copy. I estimated the value at $1800.00, but it still went for only $120, as advertised as authentic. I would have kept it for $35, it was a Japanese copy but it was cast from a Master carving, it was amazing! Also, almost had a probable 17th century Ivory 'angel' from a German guy who cleaned out his attic, had a bunch of Hitler stuff also, just cleaning out the attic, but I bid too low, when ebay was new.) Value at least $3-4000 unless it could be attributed to a master, then $12,000-30,000.) I just found a copy of it, makes me sick.

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Do you use a band saw to cut the raw bone? What are the steps and tools used to best cut pet shop bones??

Ed

Yep, a bandsaw works just fine. You can use a spindle sander/sanding drum for fine shaping. Watch your fingers while you do it!!! (memories of a thread about using bondo to hold a small piece for shaping?) I don't think you want to use a brand new and/or expensive blade for cutting bone...it'll dull it pretty quick. I typically wait until the blade is 'getting dull' (not yet too dull) and kill it off the rest of the way with some bone cutting, or other less gentle stuff.
I am sure there are better ways...and hope others will speak up!

The nuts from my first few attempts were from a bone the dog had given up on and left in the yard. Sounded great, shaped easily but it got a bit stinky if it burns! Kind of like burnt fingernails.

-Matthew

butchers use bandsaws all the time.

GOOD butchers clean the guk out of the guards and DON'T put it into the sausage mix.......

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Try David Warther... I think at ivorysellers.com or something similar. He carves using preban ivory and has chunks large enough to sell bridges blanks...

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Chris Oliver
Infinity Luthiers
...in the shop.

live every minute...

Another vote for David Warther at http://www.ivorybuyer.com/sales/.
He's a very pleasant and knowledgeable fellow, and will find what you need. He has extremely nice Mammoth ivory for reasonable prices as well, all is kosher and comes with paperwork.

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Laurent Brondel
West Paris, Maine - USA
http://www.laurentbrondel.com/

You can also check with knife making supply houses.

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Aoibeann

Google "giraffe leg bones" and try ebay too.

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John Lewis
Wannabe builder owned by 2 crazy dachshunds

Thanks everyone. I'm gonna check out ivoryseller.com

Ebay supposedly banned the sale of ivory this year although I don't know how carefully they police it

Allparts has bone blanks 1/4"x 1/2"x 4"

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In Markham,Virginia

i asked my butcher to save some bone last time we brought the steers in.
i found that the bone was way too fiberous, mabey it would be diferent if i tried a different species.

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I've heard that cattle bones are good, but to be sure you go for the leg bones. I guess they might be denser? I would think that is also what makes horn so good...has to be a strong dense bone to handle the abuse it is supposed to get (in the wild, anyway)

Corrections and thoughts are welcomed.

-Matthew