soaking an old horn
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paulvallandigham
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Not first, but certainly when you want to put a base plug in the opening, it helps to soak it.
Check this site for instructions.
[url] http://www.nmroyalrangers.org/FCF/making_a_powder_horn.htm[/url]
Check this site for instructions.
[url] http://www.nmroyalrangers.org/FCF/making_a_powder_horn.htm[/url]
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hornbuilder
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cwc:{
it would probably help you scrape the horn if you soaked it in some water overnight. don't worry it won't get waterlogged . once you get it scraped to a uniform shape then let it dry for several days before going at it with your files. to set the base plug i prefer to heat the horn in hot oil @350 degrees. will work fine just watch the horn ,it doesn't take long to make it plyable . 30 seconds maybe ? depends on the thickness... take your time and have fun with it.
it would probably help you scrape the horn if you soaked it in some water overnight. don't worry it won't get waterlogged . once you get it scraped to a uniform shape then let it dry for several days before going at it with your files. to set the base plug i prefer to heat the horn in hot oil @350 degrees. will work fine just watch the horn ,it doesn't take long to make it plyable . 30 seconds maybe ? depends on the thickness... take your time and have fun with it.
All the horns I've ever worked on were dry. Hopefully MuzzleBlasts will one day print my article about the horn making techniques of Art De Camp. Art had us using saws and chisels to hog the unwanted material. We worked fast to shape them and then scrimshawed them in a 2 1/2 day class.
Black Hand
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Do all your shaping and scraping while dry. You can make the end round by heating the horn in an oven (~250-350F) until it is pliable, forming it over a round form (I use a shot-glass) and letting it cool for a few minutes. DO NOT WALK AWAY OR ANSWER THE PHONE WHILE IT IS IN THE OVEN!!!! (Don't ask, I'm still peeved about it). Make the plug and fit it to the opening, add some melted beeswax to the joint, push the plug into the horn and peg. There is NO need to soak your horn.
hornbuilder
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just a tad bit curious , have any of you ever scraped a horn that has been saoked in water first . or are you just excluding this method because you have never done it this way ? like i said i was just a little curious , not wanted to create any flames ......
I have never scraped a wet horn, but I might give it a try.
I prefer to use rasps and files for roughing in, but do resort to scraping for final finish.
If my memory is correct, Roland Cadle claims that the only reason to boil a horn in water is to reconstitute the lignins in the horn prior to heating in hot oil. Horns less than a year old shouldn't need boiling in water.
Soaking in water might do the same thing. To be honest, I dunno.
He goes on to say that boiling in water doesn't get the horn hot enough to release the memory in the horn. It takes heating to no more than 350 degrees to release the memory, so's it won't want return to its original shape.
J.D.
I prefer to use rasps and files for roughing in, but do resort to scraping for final finish.
If my memory is correct, Roland Cadle claims that the only reason to boil a horn in water is to reconstitute the lignins in the horn prior to heating in hot oil. Horns less than a year old shouldn't need boiling in water.
Soaking in water might do the same thing. To be honest, I dunno.
He goes on to say that boiling in water doesn't get the horn hot enough to release the memory in the horn. It takes heating to no more than 350 degrees to release the memory, so's it won't want return to its original shape.
J.D.
