Why can't I drill a powder horn?

[loojack]

I have the Sibley's book from Track and I even bought Ron Ehlert's video, and I still can't drill a horn without ruining it! Thankfully I haven't ruined a good one! I tried a search and didn't find the "secret" to this. Could somebody tell me? Thanks....loojack

 

[J.D.]

Most of my problems in drilling the hole was due to trying to drill too deep, so cut off the end of the horn as close to the end of the cavity as[url] possible...within[/url] reason.

Run a stiff wire into the cavity to determine the end of the cavity. Mark that location on the outside of the horn. Cut off about an inch, or less above the mark. Mark the center of the cutoff, and drill with a pilot drill (small diameter bit). Enlarge the hole as needed.
J.D.

 

[Okwaho]

In Book of Buckskinning II Don Wright has a good looking article on making horns. I say that although I'm not a horner. You might look at his article.
Tom Patton

 

[Birdman]

loojack, it might help , instead of holding the drill and trying to drill into the horn, secure the drill, turn it on, and feed the horn onto the drill. Sometimes reverseing the process helps. I had trouble with runout while drilling until I tried doing it backwards so to speak. Seems I have better control on where the hole goes when I hold n direct the horn instead of the drill. worth a try, YMHS Birdman

 

[pml]

my last one i came dead close to it
i ended up having to relief carve a diamond
at the thin part.
i'll try that securing the drill next time.
although the diamond did look cool :thumbsup:

 

[Riku]

In Book of Buckskinning II Don Wright has a good looking article on making horns. I say that although I'm not a horner. You might look at his article.
Tom Patton

That's how I starded. And I think it helped a lot for a beginner. But instead like J.D said I like to leave much as possible the horn's neck when I cut it and start drilling. Much more to work with and get good looking shape for the horn. I normally use 3-4 drill bits from 3-6millimeters.Start with smallest one so on. You just have to check all to time when you drill that it is going straight. So far I messed up 1 horn in drilling process. Ended up making a combined salt/pepper horn.

 

[hornbuilder]

loojack :{

the easiest way i have found to drill the pour spout ( throat ) of the horn is to have one person do the drilling and a second person watch the angle of the drilling to keep things lined up properly.. mark some reference lines on the horn to keep it going straight.. hope this helps :hatsoff:

 

[2172]

loojack :{

the easiest way i have found to drill the pour spout ( throat ) of the horn is to have one person do the drilling and a second person watch the angle of the drilling to keep things lined up properly.. mark some reference lines on the horn to keep it going straight.. hope this helps :hatsoff:

 

[2172]

all good advice...I hold the horn with my hand around the spout area...I've been able to feel the heat from the drill bit as it gets too close to the surface, and have backed it out and corrected the angle...Hank

 

[loojack]

Thanks for all the tips! I do have Buckskinning II. I'm begining to think it's a mental thing.... :redface: Thanks again!!

 

[pasmokepole]

I used a large drill press but the secret was to give the horn a good/secure base. I used sand bags - like the ones you use to sight in a gun. Make sure the horn is REALLY where you want it - check it from ALL angles and sides, then use the smallest drill bit as possible as a guide hole. Try using a bright light to illuminate through the horn too may work also.