Turning horn tips ?

[ridjrunr]

Asking for to learn. How do you set up a lathe to turn pcs of horn tips, to make filler plugs or tip plugs? Thinking to make something tapered, not threaded. Maybe Bigsmoke or Beaverman would know?
Tia

[Bigsmoke]

Yes. I have done that.  I know.  But i'm not telling

[ridjrunr]

This is what I mean, I just cant remember how the heck I did it

[ridjrunr]

Yes. I have done that.  I know.  But i'm not telling

Thats ok bud, just sell me a small drive spur you dont need. No mention of anything
( im thinkin thats what I need)

[Bigsmoke]

Sorry, this is just the day for me to be a wise a$$.

If you don't mind a 1/4" hole through the item, a mandrel is the thing to use.  It will cinch up tight enough to turn the item.
If you do not want a hole through the item, then put a center punch hole in each side and have a drive spur on one end and a live center against the other end.  Here is where you will want your chisels scary sharp because I typically do not even have the spurs contacting the item, just the pressure from the two drives against each other.  It's worked for me several times, although it is a chore to regulate the pressure of the chisels.
If that doesn't work, take two shots of VO and call me in the morning.

Looking forward to Beaverman chiming in on how he does it.

John (Bigsmoke)

[ridjrunr]

Ya, ive done tips with a pen mandrel, I am talking about solid plug for tip and or butt.

[BEAVERMAN]

Ya, ive done tips with a pen mandrel, I am talking about solid plug for tip and or butt.

Just seen this, I use my lathe with a chuck and a soft center, check of Eddie Castelin on you tube and he has a video on how to make a soft center and use it, it's actually quite simple and very effective. As far as scary sharp chisels, I try to keep mine that way, if i turn horn or antler I like to use my carbide tipped chisel, which if made by Eddie, he also sells various carbide tips to fit the chisel, cheapest place I've found to buy them

[ridjrunr]

Ya, ive done tips with a pen mandrel, I am talking about solid plug for tip and or butt.

Just seen this, I use my lathe with a chuck and a soft center, check of Eddie Castelin on you tube and he has a video on how to make a soft center and use it, it's actually quite simple and very effective. As far as scary sharp chisels, I try to keep mine that way, if i turn horn or antler I like to use my carbide tipped chisel, which if made by Eddie, he also sells various carbide tips to fit the chisel, cheapest place
I've found to buy them

Thanks Beaverman