Finishing the plug end of a stopper?

[MSK]

Should I apply an oil, etc. finish to the plug part of my horn stopper..or not? I want to make sure the wood maintains a reasonably tight fit in the horn.

Thanks, Smollett

 

[JeffG]

Hot dip in beeswax is an option. Seals and protects!

 

[MSW]

I've used paste wax (in specific, Butcher's Wax, which is pretty common) to finish my horns. It seems to work OK for me, but your results may vary ...

anyone else have a similar experience? am I way off base?

 

[ohio ramrod]

I use beeswax, but any wax without a cleaner in it will work. Also I have found that using a tap to tap the end of the horn will allow for a "twist lock" You don't want a "full thread" just a few thousands grooves . :idunno:

 

[omarick1948]

A good tapered fit is all you need for sealing tight and a little bee's or Johnson's Paste Wax adds protection.

Rick

 

[Billnpatti]

All of my horns have fiddle pegs for stoppers and I do not put anything on them. I think they are made of ebony. In any event, they do not need anything on them and they stay in place with no problems. If you have a stopper made of a softer wood, I would think that a good light coat of a good paste wax would be all that you need.

 

[Rifleman1776]

I learned early on, one of the first rules of life is "the fancier your horn stopper, the faster you will lose it". :shocked2:
DAMHIK :redface:
My stoppers are nothing more than a whittled piece of whatever scrap, or stick, of wood is handy. I whittle with a slight taper and pull with my teeth. NOTE: If in teeth you are unlikely to forget where it is. :wink:
A wood stopper compresses to hold in the hole, no finish or other gunk is required. I do have a couple pretty ones laying around but they are not used.

 

[Katahdin]

I pull my stopper with my teeth ,, if I remember to put them in :haha: :rotf:

 

[JeffG]

I always keep an idiot string on my stoppers, I've learned my lesson! :rotf:

 

[pondoro]

I learned early on, one of the first rules of life is "the fancier your horn stopper, the faster you will lose it". :shocked2:
DAMHIK :redface:
I do have a couple pretty ones laying around but they are not used.

I like to have a "pretty" ramrod for every gun, but then I use plastic or a steel range rod for shooting.