thinning powder horns

[3 swans]

Hello. I need some advise on thinning powder horns. I have some already horns that are flat for primers but are to thick. I checked the archives but did not find anything ( I may have missed it.). I am looking for tips, tools, jigs and everything that may help in the process to do it right. Thanks.

[Ky-Flinter]

If they are really thick, you can work them down some with a rasp.  Then switch to scraping with a steel scraper or a piece of broken glass.

-Ron

[Tim Crosby]

 In this Tutorial on making a Paneled horn, third picture down you will  see how well a scarper
works, that's it laying on the vice. Ron is right about the rasps and files working down to a fine cut to get the rough stuff of and start the shaping and finish with scraping.
 On any flatted horn I make I always scrape before flattening to get as even a thickness as possible and after if I want panels on it.

  Tim C.

 http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=34423.msg330465#msg330465

[J Henry]

 Advice   go very slow  I have a horn I was scraping thin   oopps,,it now has a window where I planned to have a see through panel,,,the window is opened !!   as you go check the thickness by shining a light down the neck and go slow.

[Tim Crosby]

Advice   go very slow  I have a horn I was scraping thin   oopps,,it now has a window where I planned to have a see through panel,,,the window is opened !!   as you go check the thickness by shining a light down the neck and go slow.

 Great time to try patching a horn. TC

[DuncanvonYeast]

If they are really thick, you can work them down some with a rasp.  Then switch to scraping with a steel scraper or a piece of broken glass.

-Ron

I take a ferries rasp and use the smooth side cutting diagonally it leaves some clean up work but works very quickly

Duncan von Yeast

[hubb]

  I've used a auto body file to get rid of the worst on the horns. Does a fairly smooth cut once you get the hang of it and makes quick work. I've also used them smoothing out rasp marks on rifle that I've made.

[Horner75]

Tim, I heard that you can buy thinner horns from skinny cows!

[bigsmoke]

My preferred method of thinning a horn is a "period correct"  belt sander with a 2" wide, 50 grit belt on it.
I just have little patience for more hand work than is necessary.  Lazy or practical is debatable.  But one cannot argue with the results.  It gets the job done, quickly.
John