Worm Hunting?

[dominick]

Dom,

I need a worm.  1 inch, how much?

Doug,  I get 15 dollars plus shipping for a 1" worm.  It comes with a hardwood handle and has a double pointed end.  All I need is the length of the bore for the handle.  Thanks, Dom

[dominick]

ust got my 1" worm from Dominick. It has a nice beefy look to it. Can't wait to go up to the range and try it out. It's nicely mounted to a wooden shaft and the price can't be beat. Many thanks to you, Dominick.

Your welcome Ex 49'er

[Terry C.]

This photo shows the worm for my 1.156" bore. It was made from a 1/8" bronze brazing rod, a brass ferrule for a oxy/acet hose, and a 5/8" oak dowel. A #4 stainless steel screw passes through the ferrule, the wood, and the shank of head, securely fastening it all together.



At the bottom of this photo you can see how the shank of the head is formed. The pilot hole for the screw has not yet been drilled. You can't see it (I don't think it had been done yet) but the two parallel rods that form the shank are soldered together for strength.

[dominick]

The photo below is of a full scale 3.5" bore worming tool with a 72" long X 1- 9/16" diameter wood handle and sells for 50 dollars, plus shipping.  All the other smaller worming tools available are priced for less, according to their respective sizes.  They all are made of steel and are double pointed.    Safety tip: In the event of a mis-fire, worming tools should NEVER be used to remove a "dry" powder charge bag.   Thoroughly soak the charge with water and follow American Artillery Association or N-SSA instructions for handling misfires.

[Terry C.]

I wanted to get clearance from a mod before I posted this. I didn't want to step on any toes or seem to be trying to steal business from any sponsors. This offer is mod-approved.

I have a bronze worm that I made for a cannon barrel that I was planning to buy. The deal fell through and the worm and its matching rammer have been sitting gathering dust for a long time.

I would like to offer this free of charge to someone that needs it. I will even pay shipping within the continental USA.

All I ask is that it go to someone who genuinely needs and will use it. I put a lot of time and effort into this project and it's a shame for it to sit unused.

This set was built to fit a 7/8" bore. The worm head is formed from a bronze brazing rod. The shaft is ½" diameter oak, sealed with tung oil. The ferrule is brass and the screw is stainless steel. The rammer has an oak shaft and a hickory head (from a broken sledgehammer handle). Both implements are 21" OAL. The worm looks longer in the photo, but that's an optical illusion, they are both the same length.








This photo shows in more detail how the head is formed and attached. The head could be glued in for more strength, but I didn't do that.




If you have a 7/8" or slightly larger bore barrel that you need implements for, e-mail me at terryandpam@wayxcable.com. It might work in a 1" bore, but it would be a really sloppy fit. I would prefer to give it to someone with a 7/8" bore since this is an odd size and accessories are difficult to find.

E-mails will be given priority according to the order they arrive, and I reserve final discretion.

[dominick]

I wanted to get clearance from a mod before I posted this. I didn't want to step on any toes or seem to be trying to steal business from any sponsors. This offer is mod-approved.

Terry, Actually, I was concerned about stealing your thunder.  Not my intentions.  If you can supply anyone with a worming tool or rammer you are certainly welcome by me.  First and foremost, this is what this forum is all about,  sharing ideas and helping each other.  The sponsors are just an added bonus.  If you built the worming tool and rammer in the photos, you did an awesome job.  Dom

[Terry C.]

Thanks for the compliments. Yes, I made the worm.

I started with a 1/8" brazing rod, heated it and bent it in the center (A). After it was folded double, I reheated the bend and mashed it tight in a vise (B). This formed the end of the shank.

Then I moved up roughly 1½" from the end and bent each side out at a 90° angle (C).



Then I took a piece of 9/16" diameter round stock and cut a groove in one end (D) so that it would fit down over the rod (E).



Arranged as shown above (E), I clamped the shank in an old vise I use for welding and tack welded the rod to top of the jaws. Then it was simply a matter of winding the two sides into a double helix around the rod. I used a cutoff wheel to cut the points on the ends of the coils and then cut the rod loose from the vise.

After the welds were ground away, the rod was slid out. The two halves of the shank were soldered together and the worm head was done.


Next week the worm and its matching rammer will be on its way to other side of the USA, Washington state.

[EL Caz 66]

Hey Terry, I quess I had a better chance hitting the Power Ball lottery. PM sent..