All Horners...Need a Hand

Hello All,
I have some old horn bits lying around and one day after examining the pieces I decided that they were not scrap :hmm: . I have my mind on some possible prodjects : A flat or round Rum Keg/flask, and a flat priming horn. I need help badly... these are some questions...

How do I make the Priming or rum horn flat?
How thick must the walls be on a Rum keg?

Also if anybody has completed a similar project before, any problems you encountered?
All advise is welcome and I look forward to reading your posts :thumbsup:

 

[lonehunter]

Check out this site, Should be able to find any answer you are looking for! :thumbsup: http://thehornersbench.proboards.com/index.cgi?

 

[gus13]

Hey Rosko,
to answer your questions, in order:
Heat(hot oil, heat gun) and a vise/press, though if your making a rum horn it doesn't need to be flat. more often they were left in the round (see Horner75's post on the Rum/shot horn)
and not very, since horn is naturally watertight, so unless you put a hole in it you can thin it right down and still hold water! :thumbsup:

 

[hawkthrower]

Gus gave you some good advice and I will add to it. If you use hot oil bring the temp up to about 325 and always make sure you drill the spout first. Drilling will keep you from getting an air pocket and blowing hot oil all over. Never leave the horn in the oil for more than 10 to 15 seconds. Have a form made in the shape and size you need to flatten the horn to and if you don't have a press you will need a large vise and a couple of smooth boards to press the horn.
Go slow, you can heat the horn more than once if you need to.
lastly, take lonehunters advice and stop over to the horners bench, do some reading and ask all the questions you want they will be glad to help.

Ron

 

Hello Gents,
Thanks very much for the advise I think Ill make it round...
I curently have 2 but plugs fitted and am wondering how to seal it with beesewax... how do it ??? :hmm:

 

[omarick1948]

Melt a little bee's wax and smear a little bead of wax around the inside base of the horn and push your base on tight and pin! You don't need any wax on the out side seam, but only the inside for a professional seal!

Rick

 

[ohio ramrod]

When I make a horn I fit the plug to the horn with a 2 degree taper leaving the plug about 3/8 inch proud of the horn. Then I bake both the horn and plug for an hour at 175/185 degrees. This softens the horn and dries and shrinks the wood. I then remove the plug and rub it well with heat softened ( a hair dryer works great )beeswax which melts onto the plug and then I give a slight push into the horn until flush. This allows the horn to stretch to form fit the plug and gives a bees wax seal. :idunno: :idunno:

 

[gus13]

me, personally, I taper the wood a bit and then heat the horn, apply a small bit of wood glue around the inside of the horn and press it onto the wood, ensuring a tight seal a full 360*

 

[ryzman]

I also used wood glue... elmers carpenters glue if i remember right. i had it laying around the shop and im familiar with it... I boiled my horn and i will probably be facing some cracks in the future but the idea of using 375 degree oil for 10 to 15 seconds seemed like a waist of good oil...

 

Thanks guys... I followed your advise. the boiling water technique proved itself to be very efective :grin: . The fit was so tight I almost did not need pins or nails... But I used them just to be sure. I currently have both plugs fitted and nailed. I also carved a geometric flower style design carved into both of them. Any ideas on what to stain the butt caps with ??? Also If I chose to antique it what dye or stain to use???? And I have heard of RIT dye but cant find it in ontario

 

[50cal.cliff]

Rit is a clothes dye. You may be able to find it at a store the sells cloth by the bolt!

 

I thought all who gave their say deserved an update.

Excuse the pencul marks only one band is complete...
The carving is a bit sloppy :nono:

 

[gus13]

coming along nice, boss! look forward to see 'er done! :thumbsup: