questions for the scrimshanders

[bubba.50]

been admirin' the work of horner75 & others on this & a couple other sites. since I can't afford their work I been thinkin' of tryin' my hand at doin' one on my own. so, to the question part :

do you guys have some kinda jig or vice to hold the horn while ya work? or do ya just hold it in yer hand or on yer lap or layin' on the workbench or what? do ya use a bench mounted magnifier to get all the amazin' detail in yer scratchin's? and finally(for now at least), I bought a couple nice plain horns with a lot of white on another forum. they've been coated with carnauba wax. do I need to remove it first? if so, with what? nail polish remover or somethin' weaker or stronger?

thanks for listenin' & any help you can offer, bubba.

 

[Bagman]

Have been using a 25 lb bag of shot for horn work. I mold it to the horn as I scribe. A bench mounted magnifier with light helps these old eyes...alot. :wink:

Buy a really good scribe. That is the best advice I can give....

 

[Katahdin]

What Bagman wrote ,,I use a cloth bag with play sand in it ,, cheaper than shot,easier to find,,When you scrim/engrail, you will pick the horn up and work and sometimes mold the bag to hold it ,, lot like carving wood..Here's a site you should visit thehornersbench.com
All about horns and scrim/engrailing
As for learning to scrim just wade in ,,, sandpaper is a scrimmers erasure,, good light,magnifier and a sharp tool and go for it,,,

 

[omarick1948]

All of the above, as everyone has their favorite and own method that works best for them. I use my hand to grip the horn. Sometimes I'll use a folded old bath towel on my engraving desk for when I have to engrail or carve with a wood gouge or carving knife. For my weak old man eyes, I use an Optivisor headband magnifier and good lighting from a desk lamp. Also, tight fitting leather gloves saves on wear and tear on my skin.

Use a little mineral spirits or alcohol on a cloth to remove that wax. Might have to repeat a couple times, but it will clean off nicely.

Rick

 

[MSW]

I use a bag of uncooked rice (the rice itself came in a cloth bag, which caught my eye at the grocery store. I have heard of or have seen beans (think chickpea or Navy Beans) as well as black beans and coarse sand being used in a sewn cloth bag. Basically, you want something which is pretty loose, so don't pack the beans or whatever too tightly into the bag.

I use a magnifier similar to what Horner75 describes ... got mine from Garret Wade if I remember.

good luck with your project, but be warned: this will not be your last go at it ... these little gadgets are habit forming!

 

[Pete G]

I use something similar to this: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/2...bag-leather-tan-unfilled?cm_vc=ProductFinding

 

[bubba.50]

yeh, i have a set of wally-world bags similar to that i was figgerin' to use. no matter how full i filled'em they stretched & never would stay firm enough to use for range bags. so, if i let just a bit of sand out they should work okay for a horn support.

so far i have the horns, got Scott & Kathy's book for Christmas, a set of exacto knives, a carbide scribe from tru-value, a small horn i don't know where it came from to practice on & the aforementioned bags. so, far as i can tell, about all i need now is light & magnification. the local Michael's has a 2x to 3x magnifier visor. is this enough?

thanks for all the help so far & have a good'en, bubba.

also got signed up over at the horner's bench & been readin' & admirin' the work over there.

 

[omarick1948]

Sounds like you are all set to scratch away! That's a lot more equipment gathered than I had 600 plus powder horns ago!

Have Fun, :thumbsup:
Rick

 

[bubba.50]

i'm guessin' you probably didn't have a bunch of great people such as yerself & others on this great site to give ya such excellent help & advice. much thanks to one & all for yer patience & help :hatsoff: .

 

[MSW]

I think you're all set to go.

but then again, my opinion and a boarding pass might get you on the airplane.

good luck with your project ... by the way, we love pictures...