Horn making benches...

[crowbarforge]

There has to be a better way....I have tried many different ways/tools/jigs to hold horns for the initial shaping with files.  None worked real well for me.  Care to share your horn working bench set-up? 

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

I have a length of 1" hardwood dowel that I clamp in my vise, over which I slip a sheet of thick leather to cover the vise jaws.  Pressing the horn against the post with one hand and file with the other.  Good grip exercise.

[Kermit]

Exactly the same as Taylor.

[iloco]

I have a length of 1" hardwood dowel that I clamp in my vise, over which I slip a sheet of thick leather to cover the vise jaws.  Pressing the horn against the post with one hand and file with the other.  Good grip exercise.

That is how Scott Sibley shows in his book on horn making.  I would do it the same way when ever I decide to make a horn.  Sometimes simple is the best.

[cjarrett]

Check out this thread on the hornets bench.
http://thehornersbench.proboards.com/thread/2735/horn-mandrels

The thread shows the set up used by John DeWalt. Not simple but very practical and it shows -John make beautiful horns.

Craig

[Tony N]

I use the same as the others, only instead of a dowel I use a 2" dia piece of hardwood. Bark removed and smoothed.

~Tony

[Habu]

I do the same.  When shaping spouts and the like, I do the same thing on a smaller scale.

After boring the spout hole (usually 1/4"), and squaring the mouth with the hole.  I have a couple of scrap 2x4 chunks with pieces of 3/16" rod projecting about an inch.  I clamp the 2x4 to the bench or hold it in a vise, and slide the spout over the rod.  Then I can hold the horn in my left hand while I file or carve with the right. 

[crowbarforge]

Thanks gents...

[ed1215]

I use the fore arm from a stock that broke on me along time ago works great and with it being square it holds better in my vise

[Tim Crosby]

     I tried many different ways before I came up with this way to hold a horn, others may use it as well. Take a piece of Pine and cut it ¾ X ¾ and about 18” long. Then cut a strap of leather that will wrap 2/3 to ½ way down it. If you don’t have a piece long enough used a couple, tack it at the top and bottom. To use it wet the  part with the leather on it, run it under the faucet, warm water will work quicker, once it is wet jam the horn down on it, you want the leather to touch at the base of the horn. Once wet I hold the thorn straight up and bang the end of the stick on the back of the vice to really jam it in there. One thing; I do not cut the base of a horn until it is completely shaped. Holding a horn like this I am able to use both hands and if you mark the stick 1 – 4 you will know where you are and also make it easier to do paneled horns. It holds so good that I am able to use a spoke shave to rough out a horn.    

   Tim C.

[Kermit]

A spokeshave! Now why didn't I think of that? 

[crowbarforge]

Brilliant.