Measuring Deer Antler Volume

[erobz]

TL;DR

Trying to figure out simple low-tech solution

My idea is that I want to use immerse Whitetail Antlers in a fishtank to measure their volumetric displacement (the Boone and Crockett system is the current record measurement standard to place in a juxtaposition with) I would use some sight glass plumbed into the side of the tank to get the change in height so that I can multiply by the tank cross-section. Simple Idea. But...

Is there a simple mechanical way to amplify the height in the sight glass to increase measurement precision? Nothing is jumping out at me.

 

[sandy stone]

Fill the tank up to an overflow point, then immerse the antler with the overflow from the tank being directed to a narrow graduated cylinder. Would that work?

 

[erobz]

Fill the tank up to an overflow point, then immerse the antler with the overflow from the tank being directed to a narrow graduated cylinder. Would that work?

Thank you, that technique would make precision adjustable. Also, this measures the volume directly; skipping a computation step and minimizes propagated error.

Way to think outside the box! (fishtank)

 

[Baluncore]

Add a drop of detergent to the water so it wets the surface of the antler and does not trap air bubbles.

What is the thermal expansion coefficient of antler volume?
Must you regulate the temperature of the antler or water?

It should not be necessary to equilibrate the temperature of the antler to the water, as the thermal mass of the water will be much greater than the sparse antler.

Identify the density variation of antler, by weighing the dry antler before measuring its volume.

 

[erobz]

Add a drop of detergent to the water so it wets the surface of the antler and does not trap air bubbles.

What is the thermal expansion coefficient of antler volume?
Must you regulate the temperature of the antler or water?

It should not be necessary to equilibrate the temperature of the antler to the water, as the thermal mass of the water will be much greater than the sparse antler.

Identify the density variation of antler, by weighing the dry antler before measuring its volume.

This will be a quick duration dip (done slowly as not to make waves), it won't be soaking. Just enough time for the water level to settle. But thanks for the tip about the air bubbles.

Before we get to scientific/precise, take a look at the Boone and Crockett system of scoring (https://prod10-boone-crockett.s3.am...df?VersionId=wR4JXJzq5NmoxMFcf54j.03HIMVSuah3) ; it is just a linear measurement proxy for a volume measurement.

 

[JT Smith]

If you weigh them submerged as well as in air with a good electronic scale you could get a precise volume. You'd have to make a jig to do that but it isn't particularly difficult.

Do antlers sink? You might need to add a weight. Will they absorb a significant amount of water? That could throw things off as well. Another possible option is a DIY gas pyncnometer.

 

[erobz]

They are bone, so pretty sure they sink and are relatively impermeable over the short timescales needed to make the measurement.