Faceting oval shaped powder horn

[Scott Olesen]

Hope everyones day is going well thus far. I had a question for the powder horn makers here. I am making a powder horn for my son for Christmas and I am at the point where I am going to cut the groove for the strap and I am wanting to carve an octagon facet on the horn towards the middle. The problem is the horn is somewhat oval in cross section. I have never done a horn so I am a little nervous. If it was more circular I could figure it out. Any suggestions? Maybe I will just step it down and add some bands.

Thanks in advance,

PW

 

[Katahdin]

Try this site,,. thehornersbench.com

 

[Bagman]

Mark a circle at the points where you want your facets to begin and end. Starting at the small end mark out you equidistant points. At each point take the edge of a sharp knife and let it lightly scratch the surface as you draw it towards the larger circle. Keep it perpendicular as you go and let it follow the horns curves. You'll end up with 8 facet points at the large end that should look natural to the horns architecture. The scratched lines become your filing marks.

 

[Ames]

Run a thin strip of masking tape around the top of the area to be carved, and the lower. When happy, draw the circumference circles. Remove the tape, lay it flat, measure and divide by 8.
Mark the 8 and transfer onto the horn.
When you go to draw the lines from the top ring to the bottom ring on an odd shape like your horn, equidistant may not look right. Here's the trick. Use a small length of electrical tape to curve from a top mark to a lower mark. Use the edge of the tape to guide your pencil mark for the lines of the flats. If after looking at it you think it needs to be tweaked just lift the tape off, erase, and do it again. You may find it works by doing the first 4 (every other mark), then use the tape to split the 4 panels into 8. Easy. :thumbsup:
As far as the flats, I start them with files but finish it to the pencil lines using a single edge utility knife blade, held by fingers not a knife, and dragged like a cabinet scraper. :wink:

 

[MSW]

Ames' description is more apt than i could hope for, but we do it pretty much the same way.

Good luck with the project!

 

[Scott Olesen]

All-

I appreciate all of your replies, excellent suggestions on layout and techniques. I have the base plug sanded, stained, and varnished so I have been both eagerly anticipating and dreading this part. It will make a neat Christmas present and my Son will be happy no matter what. I make something for him every year, it's nice that he appreciates my efforts.

Thanks again,

PW

 

[CrackStock]

The Horners' Bench is a great suggestion.

But until I see you there, here are a couple of thoughts.

Carving is not the best method for what you are describing in my view. You need to get a good rasp and while you are out getting one, stop at Hobby Lobby, Michaels or an art store and buy a plastic guide with varied diameters of round circles. Use the guide to help you file to round, but preserve the natural flow of the horn while doing this. There are a lot of curves to think about - horning is not simple or quick. Take some time and then decide.

PM me if I have confused you or you have other questions.

Good luck!