Author Topic: Foundry lesson no.....  (Read 1265 times)

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Offline Powder keg

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Foundry lesson no.....
« on: May 30, 2006, 05:37:46 PM »
I've been pretty busy trying to finish up that Pack Parrott and wanted it to be nice. I made a pattern to cast some trunnion caps up and pored a couple out of aluminum today. Everything was going so good I decided to try some brass again. Melted the brass without any troubles, But...



This is what happens when the brass liftes the cope off the drag. The heavy brass makes the two float apart. Next time I'll install some catches on my flasks. I actually was going to do that before I started but I got sidetracked :(

Here is a diffrent picture. You can see the two aluminum trunnion caps on the bottom right. They are cast as one long piece and I'll just cut off what I need on my bandsaw.



The brass looks black because of the burnt oil from the sand on it. I'll post picts of my pattern in a couple of days.

These caps will work for trunnions from 1.5" to 1.75" incase anyone wants a set. They are just under 5" long, and I can cut them off to custom legnths if needed.
Wesley P.
"Powder Keg"
Custom Machine work done reasonable. I have a small machine shop and foundry. Please let me build your stuff. I just added Metal etching to my capabilities. I specialize in custom jobs.
"When the gun is lost, All is lost"

Offline GGaskill

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Foundry lesson no.....
« Reply #1 on: May 30, 2006, 05:58:54 PM »
You might consider making some metal flasks as they don't get so charred when you spill hot metal.  (-:
GG
“If you're not a liberal at 20, you have no heart; if you're not a conservative at 40, you have no brain.”
--Winston Churchill

Offline Powder keg

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Foundry lesson no.....
« Reply #2 on: May 30, 2006, 06:37:26 PM »
Thanks!! It's on my to do list :-D
Wesley P.
"Powder Keg"
Custom Machine work done reasonable. I have a small machine shop and foundry. Please let me build your stuff. I just added Metal etching to my capabilities. I specialize in custom jobs.
"When the gun is lost, All is lost"

Offline Tropico

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Foundry lesson no.....
« Reply #3 on: May 30, 2006, 06:37:43 PM »
You've hit the nail right on the  head., I LIKE IT !!!., Looks like a great mold., the design of the product.

Sounds delicious too by the way., a "Trunnion Bar"   :grin:

Offline Powder keg

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Foundry lesson no.....
« Reply #4 on: May 30, 2006, 07:54:08 PM »
Thanks! I tried to get a picture of the messed up brass one. It just didn't show up good. From the top, they look great!!! But on the bottom the trunnion bar is hollow. I used yellow brass for the one that didn't turn out. I can pore bronze also. I plan on poring some little king howitzers pretty soon.

Would these cast flat without the hump make a good product for mortars? I might make them for my beer can mortars.  

Later, Wes
Wesley P.
"Powder Keg"
Custom Machine work done reasonable. I have a small machine shop and foundry. Please let me build your stuff. I just added Metal etching to my capabilities. I specialize in custom jobs.
"When the gun is lost, All is lost"

Offline GGaskill

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Foundry lesson no.....
« Reply #5 on: May 30, 2006, 09:09:44 PM »
If you pour the King howitzers horizontal instead of vertical, be sure to put lots of risers on top so there is a reservior for the solidifying barrel to draw from.  You might even consider a trough above the risers to supply even more metal.
GG
“If you're not a liberal at 20, you have no heart; if you're not a conservative at 40, you have no brain.”
--Winston Churchill

Offline accuratemike

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Foundry lesson no.....
« Reply #6 on: May 31, 2006, 02:22:00 AM »
Wes,
    You are too much fun! I've fooled with casting a bit too. We made a furnace, and have a 16# (Aluminum) crucible and tongs. I use the Petrosand as well. I cast this:



It is a fuel filler neck and lid for a '27 Dusenberg. (More on it is here: http://www.accuratepower.com/Machine/fabrication.html )
It was alot of fun. We have a few 5gal. buckets of bronze valve guides laying around.....I've been thinking they have some kind of cannon hardware in their future.
Looks good! Keep it coming, MIKE

Offline Powder keg

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Foundry lesson no.....
« Reply #7 on: May 31, 2006, 02:36:38 AM »
Thanks Mike! You do some nice work.

G, I've been planing on poring the Kings vertical. First to make a safer barrel and second to make a better looking barrel. I've done a couple of round pieces and the bottom side always looks better than the top.

Later, Wes
Wesley P.
"Powder Keg"
Custom Machine work done reasonable. I have a small machine shop and foundry. Please let me build your stuff. I just added Metal etching to my capabilities. I specialize in custom jobs.
"When the gun is lost, All is lost"

Offline GGaskill

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Foundry lesson no.....
« Reply #8 on: May 31, 2006, 02:46:58 PM »
I've been planning on pouring the Kings vertical.

I think you will be much happier with the result that way.  Below is the top side of my 2 pounder (Pb) bronze Coehorn which was cast horizontally; the only good place is the place that had a vent which served as a shrink feeder.  Even though the sprue was large and elevated and connected at the muzzle, I got shrinkage in the places without vents.


GG
“If you're not a liberal at 20, you have no heart; if you're not a conservative at 40, you have no brain.”
--Winston Churchill

Offline Powder keg

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Foundry lesson no.....
« Reply #9 on: May 31, 2006, 05:55:04 PM »
I need to go back and see if I can find the pictures you posted of your Mtn. Howitzer. I think I remember how to do it? Just make sure I clamp the cope and drag togather :-D
Wesley P.
"Powder Keg"
Custom Machine work done reasonable. I have a small machine shop and foundry. Please let me build your stuff. I just added Metal etching to my capabilities. I specialize in custom jobs.
"When the gun is lost, All is lost"

Offline GGaskill

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Foundry lesson no.....
« Reply #10 on: May 31, 2006, 09:16:19 PM »
Your wish is my command.  The pictures in this version are better lighted than the originals.

One of my half scale mountain howitzers.
GG
“If you're not a liberal at 20, you have no heart; if you're not a conservative at 40, you have no brain.”
--Winston Churchill

Offline guardsgunner

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Foundry lesson no.....
« Reply #11 on: June 01, 2006, 09:31:17 AM »
powder keg,

     You may ( or may not) find some useful info here:  

http://www.civilwarartillery.com/books/GIBBON.PDF

Starts on page 63  (76 on pdf).