Question for the horn makers

[watervole]

I have discovered that a horn is a bit of an awkward thing to hold steady while trying to carve the thing. How do you guys get them to stay still while working on it?

 

[rabjr]

Google "The Horners Bench", The link won't post here. Theres a wealth of info there about making horns and there is a couple of threads on how to hold horns, with pics, while you work on them.

 

[omarick1948]

I second Swampy's advice!

Rick

 

[watervole]

Thanks. I'll be going over there for a good look around :thumbsup:

 

[ohio ramrod]

It may be considered cheating but to hold a horn solidly I "carve out a section" of styrofoam block and make a form to hold it. I make the blocks about 1/3 the length of the horn and clamp them around the horn. I make a block for each end so I can work on 1/2 of the horn at a time. :hmm:

 

[paulvallandigham]

Great Idea! :hmm: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :hatsoff: :hatsoff: :hatsoff:

 

[BigDogg]

I third Swampy's advice! There's a wealth of info, and nice folks there. :thumbsup:

 

[MSW]

If i remember correctly, Silbey recommends a bit of scrapwood with some leather attached to it and press fit into the horn, then you can clamp the scrap wood in a vise. For scrimshaw, i use a bag of rice that i bought at the local grocery store. (The rice isn't important, some folks use a bag of beans- this particular brand of rice has an especially good cloth bag. I guess you could sew your own bag if you have your heart set on beans, but i can't see as it would make all that much difference.)

 

[paulvallandigham]

A lot of people use a leather bag with the rough side out, to give more "grip" to the surface of the horn. The bag is filled with lead shot. The weight of the shot holds it in place. But, unless you find a way to strap it down, work is still one-handed, with your other hand holding the horn.

Using tapered wooden or cast plugs shoved up inside the horn base, and then clamped to a vise, or workbench, allow you to use both your hands on your tools. :surrender: :hmm: :thumbsup:

 

[DNICK]

Iv'e tapered a pine 2x2 and pushed the horn on and clamp the 2x2 in a vice, friction will hold it in place but take care as you thin the horn to mutch pressure can crack the horn and then it's time for a rawhide repair.

 

[BrownBear]

I wrap a piece of soft leather around a 25 pound bag of shot on my benchtop.