Bone Buttons

[LeeRoy]

I have been thinking about making a couple of bone buttons for a sewing kit that I am making.
So while at Petco I saw some beef rib bone chews, one made the trek to my camp.

So is there any tricks to make said buttons, or anything that I should watch out for.
In my thinking wash with hot soapy water and dry. Draw a circle and cut out. Drill a couple holes there about the center. Maybe dress with bee's wax.

Any other info or suggestions  would be a help.

LeeRoy

[sse]

I can't answer your question, but it sounds like a nice project and I hope it works out well (and would like to see pics of the outcome).

[Woodrock]

Most early bone buttons had a rounded depression in the centre. You can do this with a drill bit ground to the rounded shape. than cut out the button with a hole saw. Bone being fairly soft, you can make you own small hole saws from steel tubing with hand filed teeth.  I found it easier to centre the buttons by drill the thread holes after  cutting the depression, and making a jig with two pins to hold the blank in place whilst cutting out the button with the hollow bit. (hole saw).
Woody

[LeeRoy]

Thanks for the replies.

LeeRoy

[LRB]

Most early buttons were also 4 holers. Not all, but most.

[LeeRoy]

Wouldn't you know it, I split the rib bone down both sides and remover the material from the inside. Now with 2 pieces of some what flat bone, they are too thin for buttons.

Next idea, thread winders. But the bone pieces are not truly flat.

Could these pieces be flattened?

Would placing them in hot water and then clamp them between something, to keep them flat until they cool work?

Any input would be helpful.

LeeRoy

[LeeRoy]

Here is the end product of the rib bone. I made some thread winders for my sewing kit, husiff, housewife kit.
A item to carry in my new possibles pouch.

LeeRoy

[Roaddog]

They look good Leeroy.Ihope you use a good dust mask wen working with bone.the dust can get in your lunges and will make you so ill that you won't get over it.

[Roaddog]

They look good Leeroy.I hope you use a good dust mask wen working with bone.the dust can get in your lunges and will make you so ill that you won't get over it.

[LeeRoy]

Thanks for replying and the warning.
Yes, I use the 3-M paper mask that has the 2 straps. I use them when working with a sander too.

LeeRoy

[Roaddog]

[LeeRoy]

Thanks for the replies.

I am thinking on another visit to PetMart, I will find a thicker piece of bone this time.

LeeRoy

[Ironhand]

Talk to a butcher. Ask for a scapula (shoulder bone), they are fairly flat and have no marrow cavity.

Ironhand

[LeeRoy]

Thanks for the tip.

LeeRoy

[Loyalist Dave]

Most early buttons were also 4 holers. Not all, but most.

They were?

 :cry:

LD