Second horn questions

[braintan]

Started on another horn. Would like to try some engrailing but dont have access to the proper tools. I live about 80 miles from any major towns and the only ones i see on the net are in the 30 to 40 dollar range. Any advise will be much appreciated.
tim

 

[paulvallandigham]

Check some of the on-line suppliers of wood working tools. You should be able to find a half-round gouge ( chisel) that is small enough to use for engrailing. Check with[url] www.woodcraft.com[/url]. Google gouges, or wood working tools to find " bargains ".I would think an 1/8" diameter half round gouge would do the trick.

You can make your own tools if you have some equipment. Just find a small diameter iron pipe, file it to a half round size, with a good bevel on the edge, then heat it red hot to harden it, then temper it, and then sharpen it on a good stone. It might not be good enough for lots of hardwood working, but it should be adequate for working on horns.

I think I saw a kit of gouges that had palm handles on them, that sold for less than $25.00.

 

[AeroncaTAL]

Braintan,
You could use a Xacto knife to make the necessary cuts. I used a knife for a Tansel Horn I did. Didn't have any small gouges at that time.
Scott

 

[wildeagle]

I think it has been written that the hole in a horn can be burnt with a hot rod. It would be slow going. Maybe the same technique can be used for the engrailing. If the "old" boys had no access to drill bits or files maybe this could have made do. But then again even the crudest of tools available would have been a knife and it probably would have been adequate.

 

[wildeagle]

By the way , the horn is looking good, go slow and keep up the good work!! :thumbsup:

 

[ricktwin]

Started on another horn. Would like to try some engrailing but dont have access to the proper tools. tim

Tim,

If you don't have power tools, I've picked up a set of the small finishing files and they work great. The pack comes with a "V" file, flat file and a couple of small "rat tail" files. I keep a small brass brush handy to clean them every few strokes. They only cost a few bucks and last forever for this type work. Your horns looking good. Keep the pictures coming.

Ron

 

[smo]

Nice work Braintan, I liked the 1st horn you done also :thumbsup: Keep up the good work. Good Luck & Good Shootin'

 

[omarick1948]

Braintan,

Your horn is looking good!.... :thumbsup:
I know a few guys use a drill and different size's of drill bits to add engrailing or Dremel tool with grinder tips.

Ebay seems to alway have some inexpensive wood gouge sets and individual gouges for sale on it.

 

[braintan]

Thanks everyone for the compliments and suggestions. I think I'll try a cheap set. I just can't pay 30 bucks a piece for tools right now.
I have a very nice bunch of dremel stuff but I just don't feel right using power tools when trying to replicate early work. The older i get, the better i like "B E" (before electricity) :thumbsup:

 

[MSW]

Braintan-

a agree with your hesitation to take a Dremel to horn... just too much opportunity for a devastating 'woopsie,' which will inevitably happen at the end of the project and spoil a bunch of otherwise nice work. the only time you want to take a power tool to it is to drill the pour hole and to square up the butt (i use a belt sander, and do that outside).

additionally, to ensure domestic tranquility, i would likewise avoid taking anything hot (the previously mentioned heated iron rod, etc.) to the horn, which is compressed hair, and will smell just like burning hair if you get it too hot, on account of you'd be burning hair and that's what it would smell like. so, what does burning hair smell like?... well, it has go- sleep- on- the- couch written all over it. (luckily, i was outdoors when i made this discovery and saved a spell of couch sleeping.)

a set of inexpensive woodworking tools will hold you in good stead, especially if you're willing to put up with less than stunning fit&finish, and especially if you don't mind spending the afternoon putting a proper edge on them and then stropping them on a bit of heavy leather. some people put jewelers rouge on the leather and some don't, and there is a good bit of debate about it. i do, but you should do whatever works for you. (if you do a bit of clever cutting, you can strop the inside of the gouges, too- this makes thing all the much better).

good luck with your project

msw