Powder Horns

[chi-master]

Hey guys I'm trying to make my first powder horn. I don't know what to seal the big end of the horn with. I've made a butt plate out of a piece of oak, but what should I use to seal it so moisture can't get in. Also what should I use for a stopper at the little end. I've got a wooden plug for that also but don't know the right way to seal that either. I'm new to all this so any help will be appreciated. thanks

 

[woodse guy]

Feel on the inside of your horn if you feel ridges where the base plug goes. If you do take sand paper and sand those down smooth. When you put the base plug in you should not be able to get it in all the way. If it is loose when you start sealing it well be a pain in the butt. You want it to be a little tight at the start. The way to get the base plug in the horn. Is to get a old pot and boil some water dunk the horn in the water just where the base plug will go. In the water for a little bit pull it out the in again, if you leave it in the water to long you will cook the horn. With a non marring hammer seat the base plug in the horn and let it cool. Drill your holes for what ever your going to use to attach the base plug with and put them in and your done. As for the stopper for the little end you don't put anything on it to seat it should fit tight enough that you don't need to seal it with anything. Horner75 or Beaverman should be along soon and let you know if I left out anything. They or most of the other horners on here have been doing this way longer then me. Another place you can get information is The Horners Bench lots of information there as well.

 

[paulvallandigham]

Here's a website that will give you information on building powder horns:
http://lumberjocks.com/decoustudio/blog/2482

There are others.

If you don't already own a copy go to Track of the Wolf's website( see Links)and buy a copy of the Scott Sibley book, "Recreating the 18th Century Powder Horn.

Ace-Tru Value-- Hardware stores sell a tapered reamer for less than 20 dollars. If you local store doesn't have it on the shelf, you can order it. Use it to taper the pouring spout hole in the neck of the horn. Then, fit a tapered plug to the horn. Simply pressing in on the plug will make a friction fit to hold the plug in the neck. Drill a hole, or loop a tie around the plug and to the horn, or to the horn strap, will keep you from dropping or losing the plug.

The plug reamer sold by Ace is used by string instrument makers to put the tapered holes in the neck of the instruments( violin, cello, etc.) for the pegs that hold the strings taut to the neck.

If your horn is "fancy enough", you can buy string pegs from Track of the Wolf to use in the horn you make. :v :thumbsup:

 

[ladysmithtrading]

chi, heres where you need to go for powder horn help
http://thehornersbench.proboards.com/index.cgi

 

[fyrfyter43]

Once I have the butt plug shaped so that it fits well, I put a coat of beeswax around it before seating it. When the plug is seated, the beeswax helps to seal it. You should be able to blow into the spout and have no air escape around the butt plug.

To taper the spout hole, you can use the tail of a file instead of buying a reamer. Just twist it in the spout and it will work just like a reamer.

 

[wattlebuster]

I use bees wax an never had any problems yet :thumbsup:

 

[omarick1948]

Hey guys I'm trying to make my first powder horn. I don't know what to seal the big end of the horn with. I've made a butt plate out of a piece of oak, but what should I use to seal it so moisture can't get in. Also what should I use for a stopper at the little end. I've got a wooden plug for that also but don't know the right way to seal that either. I'm new to all this so any help will be appreciated. thanks

The traditional old way to seal powder horns is to use bee's wax. Many makers today use everything from bee's wax, wood working glues to epoxy! ___ Never fit your base plug so tight, that you have to use a hammer of any sort to beat the base into the horn. Think, splitting firewood!

As mentioned, make a tapered stopper for a tight seal! __ I don't like to use hardwood or antler/bone/horn etc., for stoppers. I like the softer pine type woods for best seal and use! Many of the finest powder horns from originals to contemporary examples have simple pine carved or whittled stoppers!

Take Beaverman's suggestion and look over all the information about powder horn making on THE HORNER'S BENCH website!

Rick