Cracked horn

[skunkskinner]

I cracked the horn when I was putting in the end plug.
Any suggestions?

 

[crockett]

Can you pull the plug out? If so you can epoxy glue a shim over the crack on the inside of the horn. If that isn't a do-able deal then on the outside you could cover the area with rawhide. I believe rawhide was the PC repair but you might be able to first coat the crack with epoxy to assure the seal is complete and then put on the rawhide. The rawhide goes all around the horn and is laced up tight.

 

[Stumpkiller]

Did you soak the horn in hot water for a few hours before seating the plug?

Epoxying a strip of coffee filter paper inside will repair the crack, but it will likely remain visible; and when you jamb the tapered plug in will most likely repeat the problem if forced too tight.

 

[skunkskinner]

No,I did't know what hot water steam would do to my scrim work so I just tapped it in dry. One tap to many as it turns out.

 

[skunkskinner]

crockett, I got the plug out,It's in the picture. I have never worked with rawhide before,If it gets wet from the rain,does it get slimy again?

 

[omarick1948]

Ouch!.....Mix-up a little acrylic craft paint to match the horn's color into some slow setting epoxy and get in down in the crack. Then mix some epoxy and coat the horn on the inside where the crack is.

It won't be perfect, but should help to hide the obvious slit....Then file that plug before trying to install!..... We all learn from our goofs!

 

[Black Hand]

You need to oil or wax it. I had a horn crack similar to yours. I superglued the crack (generously on the inside) and inserted the plug. I always make my plugs with a step so the wood extends over the edge of the horn and then sand the wood flush with the horn. This way you can get a more positive fit without putting undue stress on the horn. I heat the horn in the oven until it is soft enough to get on the plug, generously applying beeswax to the joint for waterproofing.

I then sewed a thin piece of antelope rawhide on the outside. Once the rawhide was dry (wait at least a week or more), I trimmed off the excess and used a heatgun to heavily wax the rawhide. I apply more every so often...

 

[paulvallandigham]

crockett, I got the plug out,It's in the picture. I have never worked with rawhide before,If it gets wet from the rain,does it get slimy again?

It can, if you don't protect the leather. Soak the leather in coatings of hot beeswax, until the leather won't take anymore. That will make the leather waterproof. Every 5 years or so, or if you notice the leather being weathered, apply another coat of beeswax. Taken care of, the leather will last longer than you will.

 

[skunkskinner]

I am going to finish up this post by telling you what I did with the crack.
1 I sanded the plug to a loose fit.
2 put duck tape around the horn,but not covering the crack it self.
3 sanded inside of horn were cracked.
4 mixed up clear slow set epoxy.
5 smeared the epoxy in crack on the inside,and on the plug.
6 then inserted the plug,it was a very loose fit.
7 I then wraped bailing wire around horn,I tightend it just enough to close the crack.(the duck tape gave the wire something to hold on to).
8 Then positioned so the plug wouldn't fall out and let it dry for two days.
9 sanded off excess epoxy and put in the brass tacks.
10 smeared bees wax on the crack,just to make shure it was sealed.

If it should ever crack, I'll get some raw hide to rap around it, I do like that idea.

Thanks for the all help,
Kevin

 

[omarick1948]

RED GREEN WOULD BE PROUD!....If it works for you, what the heck! :applause: