looking for advice

[soggy]

I am in the process of making another horn, and would appreciate a little advice. In the past for any horn that I made, I would shape the base plug to suit the shape of the horn. The one I am working on now is a fair bit out of round. I have seen posts mentioning "boiling" such horns. What does this involve? , do you add anything to the water, how long should you let it boil, etc. Do you imerse the whole horn or just the portion that you are trying to re-shape?
I have a wood lathe and hope to turn a base plug, so it will be quite round.
The only thing that I know for sure is that I won't be using one of the Mrs's good cooking pots. ::
Soggy

 

[doverdog]

You don't actually boil the whole horn, just the base area. Do not use water as it does not get hot enough. Use vegetable oil or peanut oil. Turn yourself a tapered plug of a size that is correct for the size hole you have in the butt of the horn. The horn will become soft enough to form to the shape of the plug after only a minute or so in the oil. Don't overdo the heating. Check with the plug and heat it some more if it isn't soft enough. It will burn and discolor if you overheat it. Don't let the horn rest on the bottom of the pan while it is heating as it may scorch.

 

[soggy]

Sounds simple enough; I'll let you know how I make out
Soggy :thumbsup:

 

[scott fellows]

find yourself an old wood baseball bat. cut it into lengths about 3 inces long then you can use the one that is closest to the size you want to form the base. you boil the horn then insert one of those plugs till it cools. then you know what diameter plug you need to make for it. i hope i said that clear enough. if not give me a holler and i'll try and word it different. scott fellows

 

[Powderhorn]

You can boil a horn until it's pliable enough to force a tapered cone into it. However boiling horn is not good for the horn and the heat is not enough to lose its memory. Therefore, the horn will spend the rest of its days trying to get back to its original shape. You need to heat horn around 320-340 degrees (depending on the type and age of the horn)and it will lose its memory and take on a new one. The heat may be dry or wet. Dry heat is using a oven or a hot plate or even a brazier. Wet heat is easiest (I use this method). Get a "Fry Daddy" from Wal-Mart and a bucket of lard. The hot lard will heat up the horn nicely and you will be able to shape the horn anyway you please.
I repeat: boiling does not provide enough heat.

 

[soggy]

You need to heat horn around 320-340 degrees (depending on the type and age of the horn)and it will lose its memory

I wonder if that's what happened to me? :crackup: (just kidding)

Hornman & Superflint :
wouldn't I be looking for trouble if I use "oil" or "lard"? I would think that some would penetrate the horn and then leach out at a later time thus fouling my powder?
Pieman: Baseball bats is a good idea, :agree: but I have a wood lathe so I will make my own shaping plug, that won't be any problem.

Soggy :thumbsup:

 

[roundball]

Thought...

You could try the boiling water approach first...simple to do, no permanent after-effects, etc...if it doesn't work for your particular horn, you're no worse off and you could then consider the boiling oil approach.

PS: Using Fry Daddy's or anything that essentially boils a large amount of grease has a lot of risk with it...been known to catch fire and burn houses down...I won't allow a deep fat/grease fryer in my house...won't own one...but if I did, I'd only use it with an extension cord out in the driveaway away from houses, cars, etc.
:m2c:

 

[doverdog]

I have made a good many flat priming horns that were heated in vegetable or peanut oil. I have had no problem with oil leeching out and comtaminating the powder. Let the horn set for a day and then wipe it out with a soft cloth. You should have no problem. Again, if you have to displace the horn very much, boiling in water won't do the job. I could never get the priming horns flattened enough until I started using oil. I use a candy thermometer in the oil and dunk the horn for just a minute or so. It doesn't take very long. Don't overdo it.

 

[Powderhorn]

Superflint; I use lard because it is close to the mutton tallow which was used by many professional horners. Also, I was taught that vegetable oils have a tendency to cook the horn much faster than lard.Whatever works. Hot oil can be dangerous; my Fry Daddy is nailed to a table in my work shop and will not spill. I forgot to inform everyone that you shouldn't do this in the kitchen unless you're seeking a divorce! It really smells bad. I've made and sold hundreds of horns made this way and there is no problem with oil seeping into the horn. I have seen horns get very brittle by boiling them too long. :m2c:

 

[Halftail]

Hot oil can be dangerous; my Fry Daddy is nailed to a table in my work shop and will not spill.

Not too mention that when cooking oils get just so hot they ignite.If it were me I'd make sure this procedure was done outside. :imo: