How to Make Table Lamps from Deer Antlers

You might see them in a lodge, cabin, recreation room or man cave; deer antler table lamps evoke a woodsy ambiance to any room. Each one is an original, and just like snowflakes, no two are alike. They're simple to make using cast-off antlers, a few screws and supplies that you can pick up at any home improvement store.

Searching For Shed

Deer antler lamps are probably not what you think. Most antlers are shed from living, breathing deer in the wild -- but there are exceptions if you're an outdoorsman who has deer antlers from previous hunting expeditions. The majority of surplus deer antlers can be found in the forest. Deer shed antlers every year and grow a new set. You might find them simply by walking in the forest and keeping an eye out. For help in locating them, ask around at stores or businesses located near public forested areas or stop at ranger stations. Collect maps of designated areas where antler collection is permitted. Whenever scavenging, always seek permission to collect antlers in areas you're not sure of. It's not likely that you'll find a matching set, but that's OK. Collect several and combine them, or simply use a single one. The design of an antler lamp is subject to how the antlers stand up or fit together.

The Balancing Bridge

Purchase a lamp kit. These small kits come with hardware and cords, but typically do not contain a lampshade. Search second hand stores or flea markets for an appropriate lampshade. Start your design by manipulating the antler or antlers on a flat tabletop. Move them around as needed until you've got a stable base with a larger or thicker piece at the top to accommodate the light fixture. Combine two of them if needed to form a type of bridge that stands up, or use a tripod effect by standing them on end if they're short. Bind them together with tape, wire or clamps until you get a stable base you can work with. If you can't get it just the way you want, use a hacksaw to trim the bottom or tips of the antlers off flat, or cut longer ones off to balance the structure. If it's not working out the way you planned, add driftwood to the structure. Driftwood looks similar to antlers and adds to the effect.

The Correct Route

Select the right size drill bit for the light fixture at the top and drill the hole, making sure it's vertical. Plan the route for the wire next. You can't drill lengthwise through long curves so drill through the antlers from side to side, if needed, to get to the top and weave the wire through. It's fine to disassemble the antler structure to drill the holes but mark everything to ensure it goes back together the way it was. Route the wire so that the least amount of wire as possible is exposed. If you're lucky, most of the wire will be hidden inside the antlers and won't show. Select a front and back side of the antler lamp and allow the wire to emerge from the back of where the lamp is sitting on a table. Run the wire through the holes to the top and to the light fixture.

Let There Be Light

Drill pilot holes through the connecting points of the antlers. Select locations where antlers intersect each other. Use a drill bit that's slightly smaller than the screws needed and screws of appropriate length that do not penetrate all the way through the antler. Depending on the location or type of screw head -- antique brass screws look just fine and won't detract from the lamp -- you can choose to countersink the holes or leave the head of the screw showing. Screw the lamp together by hand without using too much force as excessive tightening can crack or break antlers. Apply epoxy to the light fixture and insert it into the previously drilled hole. Depending on how you've drilled the hole for the light fixture you can choose to wire it per manufacturer's instructions before installing it or wire it after the epoxy is dry. Install the light bulb and lampshade to finish the job.

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