rounding the base of powder horn

[leviathan]

 Gents, how did the old timers round the base of their powder horns? I know they didn't have electric heat guns. What have you guys found to be the easiest? Thanks for all your help!

[elk killer]

boiling works and water is most times free

[Marcruger]

And boil outside so you don't anger your spouse. ;-)

[tuffy]

Boil outside using lard at 320 degrees F. Try 5 seconds first, then increments of 5 seconds up to 15 seconds. Lard holds the heat longer. Water cools off too fast to work the horn. 

             CW

[Tim Crosby]

 I once saw an engraving of a traditional horn shop and the index listed an Oil kettle, I take it it was used to soften horn. A lot of guys use it today, see dogface's reply above.
 I use water, I am to messy to have hot oil in the shop, I do a lot of wood working and oil and wood do not mix well.
 Never tried a heat gun either. Put the horn in a pot let it boil for awhile, test it to see how flexible it is. Once it is to your liking put a sizer in it, I drive them in with a rubber mallet and let cool. Sometimes they stick but a good rap on the floor will free them.
 Another, "To each his own".

  Tim C.

PS: My shop is in the basement and I boil them all in here, a little different smell but you get use to it.TC

[oldtravler61]

  Like all our doings it depends on how the other half tolerates it..! Oldtravler

[David Rase]

I use peanut oil, get it up to 325 to 350 degrees.  I then dip the base of the horn in the hot oil for 30 seconds.  I remove it for 15 seconds, dip for 30, squeeze the horn for pliability and then either put in a round plug or repeat this cycle 1 more time.
David   

[Gun Butcher]

I have used all the different methods at one time or the other. Water was the cleanest, oil seems to work the best, and hot air is nice to keep a piece wam while getting it in a press the way you want it.

Ron

[Cory Joe Stewart]

I have always just used boiling water.  Like others have mentioned I am afraid of oil and lard.  If a horn requires a lot of heat to shape then I just boil longer, sometimes an hour or more.  If it is too extreme I will just leave it the natural shape.  Also, a lot of us use wooden shapers, I have also used flower pots. 

Cory Joe Stewart

[skillman]

The reason to use oil or lard is to get the horn to a higher temp. You can get water to 212degrees. The "plastic point" of horn is somewhere around 335 degrees. Give or take. To flatten horn it is desirable to get it to the plastic state. The "memory" will be changed and it will remain in this shape. Oil or lard will allow you to reach this temp. If all you want to do is round the butt, water or dry heat works just fine.

[Ky-Flinter]

I heat with oil, using my Coleman stove, outside and away from any structure.  I use a candy thermometer from Walmart to watch the temp.  If things ever go bad and it catches fire, hopefully all I will loose is my camp table and some grass.

-Ron

[PIKELAKE]

I have tried all the methods suggested and they all will work. If you happen to know someone in the restaurant business that has a commercial steamer, ask if you may steam the horn. It is unbelievable how soft the horn will become in a very short time using no hot oil, no hot air gun,or boiling water. I have not tried a pressure cooker yet but plan to do so.  JZ

[Black Hand]

I use my oven - no danger of oil flashing but you need to watch closely so you don't overcook the horn.

[Tim Crosby]

 I have heard that a yard sale Fry Daddy works well. TC