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Turning Horn (Read 1,129 times)
 
Eric Armstrong
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Turning Horn
Oct 23rd, 2016 at 9:34am
 
I recently presented a program to the Indiana County (PA) Woodturners Association. The topic was turning items from horn - a nice, traditional material that is easily made into interesting objects.  I prepared a guide (pdf), which I would be happy to share with anyone who is interested in learning the technique.  Just send me an e-mail address.
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Ron Sardo
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Re: Turning Horn
Reply #1 - Oct 23rd, 2016 at 1:51pm
 
Hi Eric.

I can post your program in our TPT, if you are interested just email it to me.

Thanks
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Eric Armstrong
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Re: Turning Horn
Reply #2 - Oct 23rd, 2016 at 5:27pm
 
Will do.
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Re: Turning Horn
Reply #3 - Oct 24th, 2016 at 12:40pm
 
Eric

I do not understand what you meant by "Horn"?  Like Buffalo horn or Antler?
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Eric Armstrong
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Re: Turning Horn
Reply #4 - Oct 24th, 2016 at 6:57pm
 
Cow horn.  It's been used since ancient times for all kinds of products such as combs, spoons, lantern "glass" and, commonly, gun powder horns. We still use terms today like "horn rim glasses" or "shoe horn".

Buffalo horn was/is used also but it's more difficult to work and, in my experience, smells pretty bad. Antler can also be turned but is a totally different material.

Ron said he'd post my tutorial in the TPT section in a couple of days. Hopefully it'll explain how this material can be used in more detail.
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Re: Turning Horn
Reply #5 - Oct 24th, 2016 at 8:14pm
 
Eric, you have inspired me. Smiley I read the .pdf you emailed me two times. Then decided something different would be nice for a change and ordered six cheap medium horns to practice with.

The horns I ordered are semi polished. Are the ones you use polished when you receive them ? Why are they mostly sold polished ?

My first try at horn turning will be a lidded box.
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Eric Armstrong
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Re: Turning Horn
Reply #6 - Oct 25th, 2016 at 8:15am
 
I'm not sure what the total market is for horns, but I assume a lot of people buy them to make simple powder horns or for other decorative purposes. Raw, unpolished horn takes a lot of rasping and scraping to get down to a smooth surface (which could be an unpleasant surprise). The polished horns expose the surface so the horner has an idea beforehand what the finished item will look like.

When doing a lidded box size the base to the bottom of the horn section so that there's a nice but not overly tight fit. Traditionally, you will pin the two parts together and, if the horn is stressed, it will break when the hole is drilled for the pin. BTW, round toothpicks make great pins.  Also, don't make the lid fit too loose. The wood will shrink but the horn will not.

Also, there's a book called "Turning Boxes with Friction Fitted Lids", by Bill Bowers. (A Schiffer  Book for Wood Turners).  I believe I got my copy from Amazon a few years ago. It doesn't cover horn but does present variations of lidded boxes.
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Ron Sardo
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Re: Turning Horn
Reply #7 - Nov 5th, 2016 at 11:29am
 
Hi everyone

I have Eric how-to up and running.

you can find it here:
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Thanks Eric, Well Done.
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