new horn

[Crewdawg445]

Yes, because you will be removing material, you will end up having to polish the surface of the horn up with finer abrasive papers or pads. Very easy process, just take your time. :thumbsup:

On another note, I also prefer to enlarge the channel opening of the horn. This allows me to affix my small funnel for filling with powder. Some horns have a removable plug in the rear that serves the same purpose, again personal preference.

I usually enlarge mine to 3/8' with a standard bit, progressively stepping the size up on each additional hole because you indeed run the risk of splitting the neck of the horn if you use to large a bit to fast.

 

[Black Hand]

It's a little hard to see in this photo. The leather thing is attached to the horn at the base plug and tied in a groove at the neck of the horn. The stopper is fastened to the leather thing using the white thin cord.


This way the horn is secure and the stopper is secure.

I prefer a much thinner neck for my horn. Makes it easier to pour into a measure and into the pan when I prime from the main horn. It will be easy for you to take a rasp or file to taper the neck of your horn for a better profile and to deepen the groove for the attachment of your strap to the front of the horn. I like the looks of the pricing horn, but am not quite so sure of that long spring being exposed. That appears ungainly.

so if I file or rasp it down does that change the color on the opening of the horn?

It might. No way to tell...

Before you rasp/file/scrape, figure out where the drilled hole ends in the horn. Sometimes, to accommodate the curve of the tip, the hole is drilled at an angle. Inserting a dowel/drill bit in the spout opening will show you the angle and direction.

 

[Black Hand]

...polish the surface of the horn up with finer abrasive papers or pads.

I prefer to scrape (single-edge razor blade or utility knife blade) then smooth with steel wool (maybe a little fine sandpaper) to get a matte finish (Polished horn, especially black horn, looks too much like plastic to me). After I'm satisfied, the entire horn is lightly coated with beeswax and buffed with a piece of canvas to remove the excess wax.

 

[Black Hand]

so if I file or rasp it down does that change the color on the opening of the horn?

If it does change, you can always dye it black again.

 

[Crewdawg445]

Scraping, absolutely a good idea. I utilize the handy blades as well.