Tutorial: Plugs | How to Make Antler Ear Plugs or Gauges

[@SamChaneyProductions]

This is probably the best plug-making tutorial video on KZbin so thank you! In my plug making, I've found it helpful to customize a scraper tool to be an exact inverse of the ideal saddle/flare curve. That way, all I have to do is dive the scraper straight into the center of each plug and I get a perfect wearable area shape every time, and establish the width.

[@HeatherfishCreations]

Wow.. thank you for the kind words! That is a good solution. I may try that... but, do you turn antler plugs/tunnels using that method? I use scrappers all the time for wood with no problems, but when it comes to antler, the material doesn't seem to like them.. even when extremely sharp, I still have a bit of fringe.

[@SamChaneyProductions]

Hmm, that's true, I don't ever work with bone. I guess you could just use a really wide bow or rouging gouge that has the same cutting radius as you'd want for the saddle curve. You might have to grind one to a new angle to achieve it.

[@DaminAgueyni0915]

I love your the grassroots, honest way you make your video . Great content I'm a fan. 😊

[@ericmcmahan3907]

This was amazing I'd love a pair for when I get to a 0g

[@cherylcoffey9436]

I Love watching your videos... You are Extremely Talented, you always explain everything in detail. Your voice is Beautiful and calming. You seem like such a caring person.! I really love Everything about you!! Made God Bless you Always 🕇🖤 Sincerely, Cheryl

[@HeatherfishCreations]

Cheryl Coffey - Wow Cheryl! Thank you so very much for the kind words! Means a lot and motivates me to continue! Peace and long life to you! :)

[@chargedsxt5750]

Great video and thank you for explaining what tools you were using! Gonna try to find a tunnel tutorial for wood.

[@bigdonniebrasco]

WOW!! You did a FANTASTIC job !!!!!!!!

[@tommyrabearivelo7498]

Really awesome video, love the background metal ... Been wanting to make tunnels out of petrified wood, but really have no idea where to start since I don't have any tools.

[@ArcaneTinker]

White buffing sticks are great for buffing my antler and bone projects. I have also used Maguire's Plastix polish with great succes. Invest in a few spiral sewn buffing wheels and turn a few mounting hubs that you can bolt each buffing wheel to, and chuck them into your nova chuck. A good practice is to keep a separate wheel for each compound color you use as well as at least one that stays dry. I often never even sand past 400 before going to the buffing wheels and the finished products end up looking like polished gemstones.

[@johnathanbrewer7271]

Do you make plugs??? If so I am wanting some made!!

[@KimmiVision]

You put so much time and effort into this! I just might order some when I get to 00g

[@HeatherfishCreations]

WhuddupSlime Thank you so much! I try. :) I would be honored to make you a pair.

[@ZSAdventures]

Make more videos! Awesome work!

[@robinjanssen4864]

Very informative! You make it look so easy! Love watching your DIY videos! So much talent!

[@HeatherfishCreations]

Awh! Thank you!! :)

[@robinjanssen4864]

❤

[@colbydufren6598]

Beautiful work I want some of your antler tunnels lol

[@MrsRaeJCloud]

Great video! It was very informative and inspirational. I'd like to try my hand at making some plugs.

[@Shawndoh]

Beautiful job

[@oswaldomutis8289]

Eres muy talentosa Y tú trabajo es muy bonito

[@walleyeremy2908]

Same! I use a dremel as well!

[@HighlyAnxious]

First vid i clicked while looking into making my own gages. 1:13 in and im like Yup this is my new bestie😂

[@koelling]

Very beautiful and good job. Now, i would make my own.

[@marvinmamangon9576]

Hi I'm a fan already. Wish I could have one of those

[@walkingcorpse1224]

Yeah, I'm trying to get some Walrus Oosik plugs made soon. It'd be cool also to get a couple pairs of that, it's unique and it may not be flashy but damn it's personal status. Eventually I will get mammoth plugs made and oof! Now that's gangster stuff mammoth bone is gonna set me back a few grand and all just to have em' turned into a couple pairs of plugs lol.

[@sporegod1488]

love these i have been carving bone and have been saving up for better tools to try to sell some your videos are very helpful!

[@HeatherfishCreations]

I'm so very glad they are helpful for you! Good luck on your journey. I started out on tools I bought from craigslist and worked my way up to newer ones. You can do it! Happy carving.

[@Dbags666]

First off, great work, they look awesome! Question, is there any worry about the antler being damaging to the wearers ears? Like it being porous and adhering to the skin, or even bacteria growth? Also, is the polishing compound safe for skin?

[@SamChaneyProductions]

You can also customize a chuck by gluing some thin rubber strips to the inside of the jaws with epoxy so that you it can hold a plug after it's been cut off without hurting the finished wearable area. The strips of leather fit into the saddle and pinch it so it stays centered and true. Then, you're free to do the sanding with the speed and power of the lathe rather than by hand, and gives you the ability to do concave faces, as well as other more complex face designs.

[@HeatherfishCreations]

Sam Chaney Thanks for the tip Sam :) That is an interesting idea... Though, latley, I've taken to using jam chucks. I was thinking of making an update video if I can ever dig myself out from my work long enough...lol. I made a wood one for every size plug. It works out well for me because I don't have to alter my pen jaws, and I don't have to sand so close to them(my fingers thank me..haha)... In addition, the wood chucks are easier on the plugs because I don't have to worry about applying too much pressure to hold them. With that Nova Chuck, it is easy to accidentally over tighten and crack pieces... especially tunnels.

[@johnathanbrewer7271]

@SamChaneyProductions Do you make plugs??? I am needing some made!

[@stevecarlson5944]

Great work

[@lasanjata]

Can you send a description of the lathe you currently use . Maybe a link

[@timfitzpatrick8773]

I recently purchased a pair of antler points to wear almost as tapers. I'm assuming you would have to do all the sanding by hand or with a rotary/dremel. Any tips or tricks you could offer would be great. I just got the location repierced so I have time to go about it at my leisure. Thanks

[@Jaarondyer]

Do you still make these? This is amazing

[@Shakkkkkk]

do you think you'll be making more plugs? I noticed you only have 2 on your etsy page and would love to see more of a variety!

[@sarahdean1954]

I am very late the the video, but I just wanted to thank you for sharing.

[@wtmke1ify]

Great video. You made it look so easy

[@TheRedhawke]

Great video, thanks again Heather.

[@OutoftheOfficeCreations]

Great video! Thanks for posting!

[@romeodarkpsy]

i see you first time but you are nice person ! thank you for show me this !

[@louisefrykell85]

Hi! I was thinking about ordering a pair of antler plugs from you, now that I'm finally at my goal size. Along with som beads for my synthetic dreads, when those are finished. But I can't find the plugs at your Etsy-page anymore. Don't you make them now days? :( (Asking here since I don't have a Etsy-account, yet. I hope you don't mind.)

[@jadephoenixmama]

Loved this video! You crack me up! I haven’t worked on a lathe in forever, and this looks like a fun way to make my own jewelry and maybe some money. What kind of latte are you using? Brand? Size?

[@HeatherfishCreations]

Hi Carolyn! :) I use a JET variable speed mini lathe (JML-1014VSI). Hope this helps! Happy turning!

[@rockhoundcustomjewelry]

I love this I've been lookin a long time it's hard to find how to make gauges up here.....do u make stone gauges?

[@leroyk6169]

Very nice

[@kristinowens899]

You sell homemade tunnels?? Would love to see what you have!! Edit: please don't show the spider, please don't show the spider!! Lol

[@jahidafridi2541]

Love your work

[@epicspacedorito4916]

hi. if it's not too much trouble, i'd like to know where you get your antlers from. I don't want to purchase something that was sourced from the murder of an innocent animal, only if it was a natural fall-off like a lot of deer have during certain seasons

[@HeatherfishCreations]

As described in my listings, all the antler I use for my plugs and tunnels are sheds. The majority of which come from the Ozark National Forrest. The only occasional exceptions I make are antlers collected from deer that have died of natural causes or even more rarely, deer that have been sadly killed by cars. Rather than letting them go to waste, I recycle the usable materials when possible. When I carve skulls, they are almost always from deer killed in accidents. The only other skulls I have carved were found in the woods as is. I don't hunt. Although I'm not against it for food purposes, I know many of my customers are not ok with that, thus, the reason for my decision to not use hunted specimens.

[@dhdd_p2527]

Do you take orders to make some small art works out of bone ? Thanks

[@harleyleggans4634]

Do these need to be sealed with anything? Or is it safe to wear them “naked” in the ear? I just finished my first set and want to wear them, but unfortunately I have found zero info of weather or not they need to be sealed or not.

[@HeatherfishCreations]

I do not seal them, no. In my experience, if polished to a high shine, there is no need. The material is similar to bone, and ages the same way. Congrats on making your first set!

[@CARYBORDERSHART]

Hey Heather. Do you have a lathe you'd recommend?

[@johnathanbrewer7271]

This is so awesome and you make it look so easy!?!?!?!? Would you be willing to try and attempt to make a triangle pair for me?!?!? I will pay ya of course!!!

[@robertedwards2192]

Would you make for the public? I would definitely pay for a pair just like those

[@tinytuesday3237]

Thank you so much for this!!

[@judyhirsh716]

Anybody know where I can find tutorial videos on how to make your own plugs out of stones/minerals?

[@HeatherfishCreations]

I don't know of any stone plug videos off the top of my head, but I do know that you can turn alabaster and selenite the same way I turned these antler plugs. The only difference being that I wouldn't recommend polishing with a leather buffing wheel. You would want to wet sand to the highest micro grit you can find and then wipe down with a bit of mineral oil. Pro-tip - Selenite is quite soft, and as a result a bit more challenging to turn(go very slowly). But, it polishes up beautifully. Hope this helps! :)

[@rachaelharrell92]

Do you do anything to seal them?

[@freakzilla445]

Nice work

[@traviscalk7579]

Is Leigh McClendon your brother?

[@Reddddddddddddddddddddddddd]

Awesome

[@raysanders1772]

Can or do u make 2 sell would like to buy some???????

[@kristinowens899]

I'd love to have a pair of tunnels made by her!!

[@patrickmcmanus8181]

I have 1 inch or 25mm... can I make antler ear gauges that big

[@HeatherfishCreations]

Hi Patrick. You can indeed. The only challenge for you will be trying to find antler with a large enough diameter for plugs that large. Elk antler would probably work better for you. :) Happy Creating!

[@robertvelasco5681]

What kind of dremel do you use?

[@pharievalenz9558]

How thick is it?

[@maomaonyeta3598]

When she reacts to spider thats the time i subscribed🤣😂😂😂😂

[@MissPandora]

Very kwl, thanks for sharing x

[@HeatherfishCreations]

Anytime! :) Thank you for watching.

[@vaitoliseli1160]

Can you make a tutorial for wooden spiral gages?

[@HeatherfishCreations]

Hi Vai :) I will definitely put it on my list of "tutorials to make". :)

[@vaitoliseli1160]

Hey! Thanks for getting back. Keep up the good work! Thank you

[@TheRedhawke]

Which Jet lathe model is that your using ?

[@HeatherfishCreations]

TheRedhawke I am using a JET variable speed mini lathe (JML-1014VSI)

[@changingmyfuture564]

Do you sell your homemade plugs? If yes, how do I purchase some from you?

[@HeatherfishCreations]

Hi Michael :) I do indeed and would be happy to make you some. The link to my Etsy Shop is in the video description. :) I also make tunnels.

[@shantahsieh335]

If you want to make your own woodworking yourself just look for woodprix website. There is all you need to make it :)

[@xavicantarito6167]

I love you

[@HeatherfishCreations]

One love brother! :)

[@itsaaronlolz]

Do antlers have to die to make this? Or is it like a haircut?🤔

[@HeatherfishCreations]

I'm not sure how to answer this question without cracking a joke(sarcasm is a personality flaw of mine).... so, here you go: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antler

[@tommiej4003]

i dont want to sound rude, great video but please say plugs instead on guages XD

[@HeatherfishCreations]

Thanks for the feedback... however, the majority of my customers say gauges, and that is also the keyword most searched in regard to my work. If you care about search SEO, it is an important thing to note. I do indeed say both to appease both. :)

[@tommiej4003]

oh cool :)

[@katjulius1904]

I engraved a bean outta a shell

[@tomekapompey563]

Im sure you can build it too guys. Just look for WoodPrix page

[@drebae95]

Darn... I have 1000 sheds and no tools😩😩😭😂

[@felixtc8344]

Humans are weird but I'm not complaining

[@carolineroberts3422]

😂🕷️

[@xaraxchnidx]

Cool video, and no hate, but PLEASE don’t call plugs “gauges” as it is a unit of measurement :)

[@HeatherfishCreations]

Thank you, and no hate, but I'll just copy my other reply to this same complaint. Original reply: Thanks for the feedback... however, the majority of my customers say gauges, and that is also the keyword most searched in regard to my work. If you care about search SEO, it is an important thing to note. I do indeed say both to appease both. :)

[@Sara-gl8ue]

@@HeatherfishCreations I agree. I make handmade plugs as well and I always add "gauges" in my product title, as well as tags because that's what a lot of people call them! Great video, by the way.