Carved Bone Skulls From Bone Scraps (+Video)

This Instructable is a sequel to thisone

Here's a simple project that puts to use some of the scraps a butcher generates. You can also use the real beef bone dog bones that PetsMart sells.
I recommend getting the bone from someone who owns dogs that chew on them (finding them in their yard) or talking to a local butcher. Personally, I get an infinite bone supply from my neighbor's woods. Her dogs consume an enormous amount of treats, and I find the leftover bones buried amongst the conifer needles.

These little bone carvings make great necklaces, charms, and trinkets. If you tea-dye yours like I did here, they will have an natural aged quality that is irresistible to surfers, beach bums, and tourists :D

I have a blog, here !

Step 1: Video 1/2

Ok, I had to go fast with this one. I make these skulls by the dozen, so speed is important.
Notice that I use pliers to hold the bone piece. When you cut stuff this small, you should NOT have your hands close to the blade!
Bandsaws are finger-eating machines of death, so try to stay at lease 4 inches away from the blade!

The pliers I use are 'bionic'. They have an organic feeling gripping claw, and I can actually feel how hard I grab the workpiece because of an internal spring-thing-component. They're called Robo Grips, and these are essential to anyone who carves with a bandsaw.

Sorry for the low quality video. I've been having software problems...my compressors and editing software are having some issues LOL

Step 2: Video 2/2

Towards the end of this video, you'll notice that my sanding drum was sliding down...this is due to that fact that is was probably 24 degrees F last night...
The cold causes shrinkage in the black rubber gasket, and this loosened the drum. I don't believe that it's supposed to happen, but it happens to me all the time...

The tools I use in order are:
-Large drill bit (1/4?)
-Small drill bit (1/8?)
-Dremel endmill (1/8?)
-Sanding wheel 1.5"

Step 3: Dyeing

Ok, the dying process is the same for this 'ible as it was for the other one.

Mix 1/4 cup white vinegar with 1/4 cup dry powdered instant tea. Mix it up gently and put your bone skull in it for about 5-24 hours.

The vinegar dissolves the top layer of calcium and impregnated those cells with tea. After the bones have soaked in the dye, fish them out and GENTLY rinse them. The dye won't be very stable until the bone is completely dry.