Elephant Tusk Bases?

26 July 2013, 07:05

Kyler Hamann

I've posted this before. It's a bit different, but my son was young when we came up with this idea and we were concerned about a kid knocking them over. The table idea somehow came out of that concern.

Since the photos were taken we've "dulled" the gold tone on the metal tusk caps.

It was strange cutting holes in a brand new table top, but we're happy with the outcome and it would take a truck to knock them over. The sliding drawer still works since the tusks barely straddle it. I keep copies of the Sports Afield article I wrote about the hunt in the drawer.

I'm no wood working expert, but feel free to PM me for more info if that would help.

26 July 2013, 23:06

twoseventy

Bobby, my tusks from Nixon's safari is bumped to the top.

...I say that hunters go into Paradise when they die, and live in this world more joyfully than any other men.
-Edward, duke of York

". . . when a man has shot an elephant his life is full." ~John Alfred Jordan

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27 July 2013, 12:35

JBrown

quote:
Originally posted by Kyler Hamann:
I've posted this before. It's a bit different, but my son was young when we came up with this idea and we were concerned about a kid knocking them over. The table idea somehow came out of that concern.

Thank you for reposting those photos. I have been telling myself for a long time that I am going to steal your idea and mount my tusks like yours.

Is the table a stock item, or custom made?

Jason

"You're not hard-core, unless you live hard-core."
_______________________

Hunting in Africa is an adventure. The number of variables involved preclude the possibility of a perfect hunt. Some problems will arise. How you decide to handle them will determine how much you enjoy your hunt.

Just tell yourself, "it's all part of the adventure." Remember, if Robert Ruark had gotten upset every time problems with Harry
Selby's flat bed truck delayed the safari, Horn of the Hunter would have read like an indictment of Selby. But Ruark rolled with the punches, poured some gin, and enjoyed the adventure.

-Jason Brown

28 July 2013, 00:48

Kyler Hamann

Hi Jason,

I put that together about 9 years ago and at the time that table was a standard stock item offered by Bombay Company.

Today I dug around on their website and I don't see anything quite like that now, but my wife recommended checking Ashley Furniture. They seem to have a few things that might work. That was about my only experience ever “shopping” for furniture so there are probably many other great sources that I’m just not familiar with.

At the time I measured a lot of tables and the important thing to keep in mind is the length and radius of the curve of the tusks. It was important to me that the tusks crossed a bit near the bottom of the table and above the top. This particular table fit those criteria with my specific tusks. I also wanted a base on the table to mount the tusks to. That wouldn't be necessary, but I felt it was important. You’ll just need to consider the parameters your specific tusks and your design and find something that will work.

Using a pre-made table is pretty simple… Measuring and figuring out where to cut the holes is a little tougher. You also have to remember that the cross section of the tusk isn't a perfect circle. While expanding the holes there needs to be many trial runs with the tusks to get a fit without huge gaps around the tusks (somebody with more patience and skill than me could have done a MUCH better job than I did!). I taped off the whole top of the table so I wouldn’t scratch it. Then I started the holes with a small drill, expanded them with a jig-saw and finished them with a coarse die grinder. There was a lot of “trial” and luckily not too much “error”.

Wood working is pretty foreign to me, but I know a bit about metal work. So I actually fabricated the metal bands that contoured the tusk shape with a welded cap on the bottom. They were ground smooth and then “distressed” to add some dimension. There is a hidden bolt welded in the bottom of each tusk cap that secures it solidly through the base of the table.

It was a fun project and I think it keeps the tusks a little safer than other display methods… especially in earthquake country.

Please post your photos when you get yours done.

Feel free to contact me any time if I can offer other details.

Best of luck,
Kyler

31 July 2013, 04:20

boarkiller

quote:
Originally posted by Kyler Hamann:
I've posted this before. It's a bit different, but my son was young when we came up with this idea and we were concerned about a kid knocking them over. The table idea somehow came out of that concern.

Sure different and I'd say great idea.

Since the photos were taken we've "dulled" the gold tone on the metal tusk caps.

It was strange cutting holes in a brand new table top, but we're happy with the outcome and it would take a truck to knock them over. The sliding drawer still works since the tusks barely straddle it. I keep copies of the Sports Afield article I wrote about the hunt in the drawer.

I'm no wood working expert, but feel free to PM me for more info if that would help.

" Until the day breaks and the nights shadows flee away " Big ivory for my pillow and 2.5% of Neanderthal DNA flowing thru my veins.
When I'm ready to go, pack a bag of gunpowder up my ass and strike a fire to my pecker, until I squeal like a boar.
Yours truly , Milan The Boarkiller - World according to Milan
PS I have big boar on my floor...but it ain't dead, just scared to move...

Man should be happy and in good humor until the day he dies...
Only fools hope to live forever
“ Hávamál”

15 August 2013, 10:04

Bryce Dillabough

Here are some pictures of the bases I made myself. Although I would not consider them to be in the same league as some of the others pictured here, I am very happy with how mine turned out. They are zebra wood on top and base, walnut trim and Africa continent, bird eye maple ply for sides. Each is filled with concrete. The brass is a heavy gauge that I rolled and seamed at the back. Trim is elephant leather.