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Was wondering where I can get some quality bone or similar large enough for making a bridge.

Lars

Well, if you don't want to go the route of LMI, Stewmac, or other .. not sure what's available in Europe, you can go to the local butcher, pay a few $ (or kronur) for a large thighbone, bring it home and treat it yourself. It's not a cost effective way to do it if you value your time at anything, but it's kind of fun, and ends up with a fine product (just wear some good ventilation protection when cutting it with a bandsaw).

After cutting it into manageable sized pieces, boil it in water, pour off the meat and fat, add dishwashing detergent, then boil it some more, replacing the water several times. You want to boil all the fat out of it - otherwise it will wreak havok on your finish when you use it.

After it's been boiled clean, cut it up into oversized blanks, then soak it in some "white gas" - that's what we call it here in the states. It's coleman lantern fuel. If it becomes cloudy after soaking for a couple of days, there's fat left. Replace the coleman fuel then let it soak again (I left it there for months - no adverse effects).

It's not quick, but it works - and I kind of like using bone that would end up in the trash otherwise.

Try knifemaking suppliers, they'll have larger sizes.
The best source of bone (to make friction peg blanks) that I found was the pet store (Petsmart etc.) they carry large really well cleaned bones that you can process for what you need.
A bridge sized blank will be difficult to source though.

Try to find scrimshaw dealers on the web. There were a couple of guys at the Tucson Gem Show this year who specialized in selling bone and fossilized bone/tusks. They had some really big pieces (though not cheap). When I go to my shop tomorrow, I'll look up the vendors names for you and PM you. Beth

Lars:
I always tell people with this question to go out in the back yard and steal a cow bone from the dog. One that has been laying out in the sun for 6 months and is all bleached
until its white and pretty. One that has all the fat sucked out of it. Just buy the dog a new one and everybody will be happy.......

Mikey

_________________
The Biggest Little City, Nevada
www.hammondguitars.com
I love building guitars!

Thanks alot guys. . Dont have a dog to steal the bone from , but the neighbour has one ...

Lars

Making beautiful music is the best/highest possible usage a cow can aspire to!



Mikey

_________________
The Biggest Little City, Nevada
www.hammondguitars.com
I love building guitars!