AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Tutorials => Accoutrements Tutorials => Topic started by: Tim Crosby on March 16, 2022, 03:26:29 PM
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First thing to do is rasp/scrape the horn down and try and get the thickness as uniform as possible, especially at the base. The base can be left longer than needed (See post below) not much and then trimmed and evened out after it is flattened. Then it gets heated. I don't use oil but just throw them in water and boil them until they are soft enough to flex when squeezed, an hour or so will do. Then they go into a press like this with the sizers, 3/4ths, 1//2" whatever the thickness you want the horn to be, the size of the horn will have something to do with that (Start with 1 & 5 then 3, 2, 4, you may need some smaller wedges to tighten things up) that I hammer in while tightening up the press. I let it sit about 8 hours.
Tim C.
(https://i.ibb.co/T2H824V/IMG-0744.jpg) (https://ibb.co/kBh8B4R)
(https://i.ibb.co/JkTc9Lc/IMG-0745.jpg) (https://ibb.co/2KrFT2F)
(https://i.ibb.co/LSrSqBz/IMG-0746-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Q9k9qhF)
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I mentioned above that the horn should be shaped, not to finished but close, if nothing more than rough shaped before it is pressed. The one thing I do not do is cut it to its final length. I leave it an inch or so longer than I want it finished. The reason, I have had them split once the wedges are driven in and the final tightening done. That way if it does crack the crack can be trimmed off and the horn saved. If the crack is to long the horn can still be saved by using staples and a piece of rawhide or leather inside the horn. Without the base the staples can easily be bent over.
I hope the press, it is made of Beach, Pix are self-explanatory. The small wedge is to really tighten things up. You want 1 & 5, which have their outer edges rounded, to press into the horn so the ends come out as round as possible. Square will work too but is not as strong as rounded, more likely to split..
For shaping after the horn is flattered using a Jig makes it easy to hold. Rough cut the two sides based on the shape of the horn, they should be a bit thinner than the horn so you don't hit them while filing of scraping. Lay the horn on a piece of wood and screw one side down, put the other side tightly against the horn and screw it down. Screw a small piece at the end, a piece of it can actually go into the horn to help hold it down if needed. Do one side than turn the horn and the sides over. If you want to work the edges of the horn, the thin sides, just shape a piece of wood that will fit inside it and hold it in a vice, I clamp the horn and the piece of wood. The bottom of the jig has a keel on it so it can be clamped in a vice. The jig is useful when carving the horn too.
Hope this helps.
Tim
(https://i.ibb.co/Kr1Jt6T/IMG-0756-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/z4kz3sq)
(https://i.ibb.co/WKKZ7ht/IMG-0757-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/KyydBPw)
The Jig:
(https://i.ibb.co/tzBxTQ5/IMG-0758-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/PMx9vF8)
(https://i.ibb.co/yNWjcsz/IMG-0759-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/b6z9Md4)
In Use, with a scraper:
(https://i.ibb.co/6J1TJTn/IMG-0172-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/NnmJnJV)
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Tim,
I dont think I have ever seen a construction response from you that was not backed up with well worded instruction and the most helpful photo sequences. This tutorial is no exception.
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This is an excellent tutorial that I wish I'd had before I started. Thanks for sharing it with the community.
Denns
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This is very helpful, thank you. Book of Buckskinning VI has an article about making flat horns, and the author suggests using paper wrap to make a model of what the horn will or could look like. This helps establish dimensions, and what thickness plug to use. Talking with people who have made flat horns before I get the impression it's no big deal to them. But to me the entire process is daunting.
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Great info. Thanks for showing how to make one in such detail.
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If you have any questions just ask. TC
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This is a great help, thanks.
Question: do you drill the spout hole before or after you flatten the horn?
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This is a great help, thanks.
Question: do you drill the spout hole before or after you flatten the horn?
Before.
Thanks, Tim
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Thanks Tim