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Post by hawkeyes on Jul 14, 2022 4:43:47 GMT -7
It's a long and interesting backstory on how my apprentice spot was procured, however none the less I'm a VERY fortunate fella for having this exciting opportunity to truly learn master level horn smithing.
So my mentor is an amazing person who studied under the best patrons of the horners guild and I'm humbled to now be apart of that. His work has utterly left me speechless. The level of craftsmanship, detail and soul he imparts into every piece cannot be explained in words. One must look upon his work and many others to truly appreciate the trade.
This past Monday started that journey with an all day session of his expectations from me, my expectations and desires, a historical lesson on the trade and a significant amount study of period originals in his collection which was AMAZING! (IMAGES WILL FOLLOW). Now mind you all over some fire roasted RD coffee!
After our conversations we hit the workshop! I intently watched him start work on a raw horn, taking mental notes to jot down as he gently explained the procedure, the why this is done and the how and what for. Watching intently, the master at his craft just made it look so easy! Upon completion of our time aloft in the shop it was time for me to select the style of my first "real" horn under the instruction of a mentor. I pondered for a rather long time through various images and texts of original work and finally settled on an early Philadelphia style horn which I'll start this coming Monday.
What I've learned about horn work over the years on my own has left me with a feeling of humility as I quickly realized how little is truly known in reality on my part... "I truly hope I'm able to live up to your expectations and the level of craftsmanship required" I said. In his soft-spoken voice his reply was "You already have demonstrated your potential, which is why I've taken you on. I have no doubts, you'll create remarkable pieces. All I ask is that you pass on the knowledge and skills you learn".
Images shall follow of the original pieces, stay tuned! I've got a TON to go through.
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Post by brokennock on Jul 14, 2022 6:27:53 GMT -7
The beginning of a very special journey. God bless.
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Post by hawkeyes on Jul 17, 2022 14:07:11 GMT -7
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on Aug 1, 2022 6:23:25 GMT -7
I'm not sure how I missed this until now. That's a special horn and thanks for sharing.
Boy... a lot of our materials truly aren't what they used to be. Timber especially. Ask boatbuilders. To wrap your head around the vast resource that was available consider that in the late 19th century huge tracts of hemlock were felled and stripped of their bark to supply the leather tanning industry. (Tanneries were HUGE and leather was a vital commodity.) Hemlock with 3'+ BDH were cut and the bark stripped and the tree left on the ground to rot. Such was the seemingly endless abundance of the resource. It's not surprising that the pine plug on that lovely horn is of a quality that just isn't available today.
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Post by hawkeyes on Aug 1, 2022 16:47:22 GMT -7
I'm going to post this here as it's a resource for my horn endeavors as an apprentice. I haven't been very active on the forum as focus is being put in several areas at once. One of those areas has been the refurbishment of an old Rockwell Delta wood lathe I acquired from a fellow engineering co-worker. To truly do professional level work it's an absolute must (period tredle lathe WILL be built). This particular lathe was in a bit of despair cosmetically but mechanically sound everywhere. The reeves drive system for speed adjustments has been well cared for which is critical for longevity. Me being me, challenge accepted to breath new life into this phenomenal piece of machinery, they just don't make em like they used to! Work started unloading the 480lb beast from the truck, no hernia was noted... Next came a complete stripping of all components and a thorough cleaning of every piece. Headstock, tailstock components, tool rests, motor, pulleys, bearings you name it everything got touched. Disassembled the motor and motor starter assembly and ran some new wires and terminals along with a new starting capacitor. Next came rust removal then a good coat of primer following paint thereafter. Base was painted a machinery grey while I used a matte blue I had left over from a previous project. After the paint was dry and cured reassembly was started with a good greasing/ lubing of all components, then it was off to the shop she went! This baby is everything and more I could have asked for. For a lathe that's probably from the early 70's or 80's she's beautiful and functional beyond my skills. She has zero runout and is solid as can be, lay a quarter on the bed, turn it on and it'll stay true as can be. Can't beat 100% cast iron for absorbing vibration. Fast forward, my mentor wanted me to engage in an exercise and turn a carving mallet, challenge accepted! I recently sealed some sugar maple to dry for base plugs and selected a large piece for a mallet. Unfortunately not being seasoned I settled on a nice piece of sycamore that was fairly straight. Chucked her up today and had at it. The end result was a very nice and dense mallet which he graciously approved. cla 250 sport 0 60Now, recently we started my first "real horn" in that style of an early Philadelphia screw tip. Found the horn that called my name and proceeded forward under my mentors guidance. The hole was located, drilled to size then threaded accordingly to accept the tip once made. A shoulder was turned to accept the collar and the base was formed round. Now to completely work down the exterior smooth with all voids, humps and valleys removed then a polish. cla 250 sport 0 60Stay tuned, much more to follow, picking up a large supply of horn tomorrow. To add... Awaiting to get my paws on this WONDERFUL book from a true master! cla 250 sport 0 60
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on Aug 1, 2022 17:14:40 GMT -7
Oh man. Nothing like old iron. That thing is like new after time in your spa. Can’t wait to see this horn come together. I’m very uneducated when it comes to powder horns. But you had me at “Philadelphia”.
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Post by hawkeyes on Aug 1, 2022 18:36:41 GMT -7
Oh man. Nothing like old iron. That thing is like new after time in your spa. Can’t wait to see this horn come together. I’m very uneducated when it comes to powder horns. But you had me at “Philadelphia”. What I "thought" I knew... lol, I've thrown out the window. They are so simple but complex in every exacting detail. So much more than I previously have given attention to. My previous feeble attempts while okay leave me embarrassed overall...
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on Aug 2, 2022 4:21:23 GMT -7
Get ye a treadle lathe and embrace the authenticity.
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Post by hawkeyes on Aug 2, 2022 6:07:24 GMT -7
I will, I'm all for authenticity. My mentor has an original tredle lathe with a flywheel he's going to help me build mine off of. However to make sound horn with a demand a modern lathe is a necessity. Both machines should be mastered and its just another piece of the puzzle. Off to go pick up 60+ horns!
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Post by hawkeyes on Aug 2, 2022 11:06:07 GMT -7
Got horn? Plenty for some perdy dandy horns. Tip and bandstock horns on the bottom left. Have a fine horn in the bottom middle that speaks to be made into a flathorn.
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Post by Black Hand on Aug 2, 2022 13:25:19 GMT -7
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Post by hawkeyes on Aug 2, 2022 14:17:40 GMT -7
Maybe numbers work different east of the Mississippi - that doesn't look like 60+ horns by a west of the Mississippi count... Looks like Hawkeyes has enough to make us all a custom horn to be delivered full of his custom-roasted & ground coffee (FFFg size brews the best over a fire). Hey, as a southern Ohio country fella didn't say we could count! Believe I walked away with 42 horns total including tip and band/ ring horns. My mentor was selling the massive lot so I figured I'd save some for others. He allowed me first choice which was very kind. Now, on to the second... That is a true statement, I could certainly make that happen!
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Post by brokennock on Aug 2, 2022 18:34:50 GMT -7
.... Looks like Hawkeyes has enough to make us all a custom horn to be delivered full of his custom-roasted & ground coffee (FFFg size brews the best over a fire). Best idea I've heard in a long, long, time.
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Post by brokennock on Aug 2, 2022 18:37:00 GMT -7
Got horn? Plenty for some perdy dandy horns. Tip and bandstock horns on the bottom left..... What us it about them that excludes them from being used for main horn bodies? Just ignorantly curious.
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on Aug 2, 2022 18:42:40 GMT -7
.... Looks like Hawkeyes has enough to make us all a custom horn to be delivered full of his custom-roasted & ground coffee (FFFg size brews the best over a fire). Best idea I've heard in a long, long, time. Agree. The apprentice should earn funds as he learns his new trade. I’m in. 😎
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