my last message was about muskox horns to be reinstalled, my next question is once i have them so they fit back on the skull cap, what would you suggest to use to keep them on tight? Or better yet what kind of adhesive? Thank again everyone.
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Epoxy.
Personally,I use bondo-there's a lot of space in there to fill up.I know George doesn't like bondo ever since he went bowling with a customer's B+C Antelope,but here's how it's done if you want to use bondo.Rinse the inside of the horn with acetone to remove any grease.Take a dremel tool with a cut-off wheel,and make notches inside the horn,all the way around and plenty of them.This goes fast as you get the hang of it-stinks though and the "old lady" is gonna be pissed.Then notch the bone cores that go up in the horn-lateral notches arond the cores,several rows.I use the band saw for this and it goes really fast too.You can also drill 1/4" shallow holes instead of the notches.See where this is going? The bondo locks in the notches of the horn and the bone and it's there for good.If you want a real tough bond,get one of the mixtures that has fiber: Swiss Glass,Tiger Hair,Kitty Hair etc..A few tips:1. Trim your skull cap to fit the form before you glue the horns on.The horns hang down like a handlebar mustache and get in the way if you trim later-makes it easier.2.When you are ready to attach the horns,screw the skull to something solid so that you only have to manipulate the horn and don't have to fight the skull moving around too.Probably easiest to do one horn at a time in less you have a helper.3.Trim off the bondo or epoxy that oozes out before it gets too hard.4.After you get it all together,don't throw it across the concrete floor in the presence of the customer! Sorry,George.
Not a cool move on my part surely. But I know Bondo will hold them. I just feel about it like the poodle next door. The lady says it won't bite, but since we both hate each other, I'd never turn my back on the little SOB.
I meant to add,that nothing holds like epoxy and I use it where ever I need a lot of strength and toughness.Though more expensive,I don't think you can get a stronger bond.We all have our stories.If you are nice,sometime I may tell you about putting the leopard skin in a sink full of bleach water,or the plaster in the hide paste mix or.......