To make a A horn, (a=440) you can simply extend the lead pipe about 4 or 5 inches and pull the valve slides out.
It also helps to have a Bach 1.5 C mouthpiece to give it that full sound. I have large chops so that is the mouthpiece I used. People used to freak when they heard my double c range and saw that huge mouthpiece.

My second attempt was with a brand new Olds that I found in a closet at a church I went to back in the 80's, I still have that one. One of my old private teachers when I was in HS taught me how to do it. He had a PhD in Math, and when he told me the length of a bflat horn, he had the decimal out to about 15 numbers. 27 inches point, 473649573. I mean really, what did he think I was cutting with a hack saw or a laser?

Those are cool. Never thought of making a lamp out of a horn. I have some drum and bugle corps horns, a soprano and a Melaphone that would make excellent lamps.
My first Bflat that I cut to a C was an Orsi (of milano) 50 year old horn.

I don't mean to put down Schilke, I'm just used to a Bach. I think fighting that horn, (Bachs are notoriously difficult to play due to the squared off lead pipe and bell), I've got even more stamina and control than I ever could have gotten on one of these modern horns. When you can play the back of the Arben Book with a Bach, you get a real sense of accomplishment. You're in quite few bands, do you find you have time or lip left to do much in the way of practice or fun time with the horn?

Never had a Schilke, I played a freinds once, didnt like it, too easy to play compared to a Bach. I like to fight for every note. I started making horns when I was around 20 years old or so, couldn't afford a C or an E flat, so I made them from other horns, still have the C horn in a closet. I dont play anymore. Switched to drums about 15 years ago, and havent even played those sinse my sons grew up, (and conficated them).
Ever heard of Bill Chase?

Then maybe we can talk about some crazy horn player stuff.

I don't think people here would call your story boring at all, I think you should post it in detail.

Welcome Josiah, are you an atheist at a christian university? I played trumpet for about 30 years myself. We should talk sometime.