Sizing Powderhorn plugs

[bonron]

Quite a few years David Wright or his brother had a article in Muizzle Blast or Muzzleloader Mags and in it they described a method and formula  used in determining the circumference to make the plug. All I can remember is Pi was involved. Does anyone recall or can give me the numbers and method?


It's 42 degrees in N.  Ohio! Yes Sir, that global warming is sure gonna be a problem.

[Chuck Burrows]

Circumference = Pi (3.14) times Diameter

[bonron]

Chuck;   Thanks for your response. Seems to be pretty much what I remember except there was some way the thickness of the horn was included in the formula, I think. Thanks again.-------------Ron

[Tim Crosby]

Quite a few years David Wright or his brother had a article in Muizzle Blast or Muzzleloader Mags and in it they described a method and formula  used in determining the circumference to make the plug. All I can remember is Pi was involved. Does anyone recall or can give me the numbers and method?


It's 42 degrees in N.  Ohio! Yes Sir, that global warming is sure gonna be a problem.

 Why would you need to measure it?

 Tim C.

[JDK]

Yes, I would like to know as well why you need to know the circumference to make the plug.  Thanks, J.D.K.

[bonron]

Tim:  The base plug is made on a lathe and is therefore perfectly round. The horn is made on a cow and is therefore NOT perfectly round at the base. The numbers are crunched in order to find the correct circumference of the horn opening to facilitate making a horn that is round instead of oval or otherwise mishapen. Some people prefer to shape the plug to fit the  horn. Others, including myself, prefer round based horns. All that has to be done after the plug is made is to soften the horn, insert the base plug and allowed to dry. Once dry youthen can proceed with completing the project as you wish.

[Tim Crosby]

  I think I found what you are referring too, it is by Don Wright, in The Book Of Buckskinning II, page 121, The Base Plug.
  I try and stay away from math as much as possible. After the horn comes off the sizer, I measure the inside with an Inside/Outside caliper and turn from there, try fitting as I go until I get the fit I am looking for. Once it dries and comes off the sizer the inside should be round, turning a base to fit should be no problem from there. The outside of the horn may take some work to fit the base.    

 Tim C.  

[skillman]

I'm with Tim here. I round my horn with a cone, measure the cone with a caliper, and use the measurement to get the plug close to the perfect size on the lathe. A little careful fitting and checking of the horn and plug and then finish the plug and install.

Steve

[bonron]

Tim:  Thanks for finding the arcticle for me. I guess my nearly 80 year old memory isn't so bad after all. The way the arcticle describes just eliminates the sizer function but the result is the same. Again, thanks!!!!!!!     Ron

[JDK]

I still can't see why you need the circumference.  When measuring on the lathe you use outside calipers which give you a diameter.  Measuring the inside of the horn you do as Tim said and measure the diameter with inside calipers....if not round you use the calipers on at least two points....narrowest and longest.  You can have a horn and plug with the same circumference that won't match if one isn't true and round.  What am I missing?  Thanks, J.D.K. 

[Ahtuwisae]

I am with Tim and Steve on this one.  I use "sizing cones" to shape the horn if possible.  then calipers then to the lathe.  I go about 5 thousands larger than I need and heat the horn and press in the plug.  So far by doing this they are airtight with no glue or beeswax.  continue to shape the outside and done!

The less math I have to do the more fun I have making the horn.

[bonron]

OK Guys, I surrender. You're right and I'm wrong. Goodbye

[David Rase]

OK Guys, I surrender. You're right and I'm wrong. Goodbye

No need to surrender.  There is more than one way to skin a cat.  Your method is not wrong, if it works for you then keep doing it.  If someone presents a different way of doing something and you think it is a good idea, then adopt it or a portion of it.  If you don't like or can't use the idea, then don't do it.
DMR

[A.Merrill]

    There is a easy way and a hard way, some people perfer the ........    AL

[LynnC]

After thinking about it for a couple of days I see what Ron was driving at.  You can measure the circuference of the out of round horn, figure the dia then subtract the average wall thickness and you get the ball park base plug diameter without cooking the horn and putting it on a sizing cone.   A little different approach - you could make your plug and skip the sizing step.......Lynn

[LynnC]

Oops - subtract twice the wall thickness from the dia. To get base plug dia.....Lynn

[bonron]

Lynn:   Thank you!!! The method saves heating time and sizing time. I used to be pretty heavily into Buckskinning and horn making ( late 60's). I made maybe 90 to 100 horns. Gave most of them away to young folks getting started in BP and friends.  Back in it now and found I had forgotten the formula. I figured at the time that if it was good enough for Don Wright then it sure would work for me. Thanks for your comments. 

Any one tried to buy Buckskinning II? I talked to old friend Scurlock yesterday. There will be NO reprints of the Buckskinning series!!!!

[JDK]

Now it makes sense.  Thanks guys.  J.D.K.

[J1776]

...and all was right with the world once again.... 

Have a wonderful Easter everyone!

[bonron]

 Happy Easter to everyone. Don't forget why we celebrate this day.   Ron

[J1776]

Indeed! 

[Hawken62_flint]

Other than making your own sizing cones, is there anyone that sells them?  Some of us don't have enough equipment to make them, although they may be quite easy with the correct equipment.

[Tim Crosby]

Other than making your own sizing cones, is there anyone that sells them?  Some of us don't have enough equipment to make them, although they may be quite easy with the correct equipment.

 If you can find an old wooden baseball bat you will have what you need. I would think a 36 would yield all the sizers you need. A bowling pin may work.

  Tim C.

[bonron]

KERMIT -From Washington State ............  I received the copies of Don Wright's article today. MANY thanks. BP People are the greatest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Ron

[Dphariss]

Tim:  The base plug is made on a lathe and is therefore perfectly round. The horn is made on a cow and is therefore NOT perfectly round at the base. The numbers are crunched in order to find the correct circumference of the horn opening to facilitate making a horn that is round instead of oval or otherwise mishapen. Some people prefer to shape the plug to fit the  horn. Others, including myself, prefer round based horns. All that has to be done after the plug is made is to soften the horn, insert the base plug and allowed to dry. Once dry youthen can proceed with completing the project as you wish.

Make a sizer plug on the lathe or have one made. Long taper much smaller than the horn on one end tapering to larger than the horn could be at the other. 10 degree I think is about right. Use this the round and size the horn after its scraped to an even thickness (unless its too thin in a places then cut the base to get to a usable thickness).
Heat the horn in hot oil or water. Then force the tapered sizer plug in. Measure the sizer plug at the end of the horn and you have a plug diameter.
If I were you I would order this
http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/partDetail.aspx?catId=1&subId=12&styleId=39&partNum=BOOK-R18CPH

There is a massive amount of BS out there (left side vs right side horns for example ) concerning making horns.


Dan