Lead vent hole cover ?

[Rickk]

I read in more than one place that vent hold covers were often made out of lead. Has anyone seen a lead vent hole cover, and what does one look like?

For my carronade, I was thinking about soldering up a lead box that fits over the vent boss. That thought occured to me today, as my new "baby" is sitting out there in the rain. I went outside a few minutes ago and sprayed the hole with lithium grease, but that will make a mess if done often.

I was just wondering what they originally looked like.

[lance]

hey Rickk, i've read about them, but never seen one. according to what i read, they were strapped on with leather. not much help i know, but just guessing: a curved plate of lead with buckle loops for the strap.

[Rickk]

I've been surfing the net for an hour...

From what I gather they were called "aprons". On a ship they were sheets of lead ties on with two cords, like an "apron" would be tied on.

Apparently, guns used on land had a leather strap with a copper rivet in it that went into the vent hole.

No pictures yet... I'll keep searching, or make my own interpretation of one.

If there are no pictures to be found, then whatever I come up with would be a perfect replica as far as anyone can prove, no? 

[lance]

hey Rickk, also read about hinged lead vent covers for ships at sea.

[m223]

Hi Rickk, below is a link to a site with a picture of a conserved cannon apron its not a real great pic but at least its something. also at the bottom of the page you can click on a link for the drawing. They claim the lead is molded to the contour of the barrel which stands to reason. Sorry that's all I got only had a few minutes before work.   Tracy  http://ch-www.st-andrews.ac.uk/wood/Photo854.html
Photographs of the lead cannon apron (Ba854)

[Rickk]

Interesting... a cast variation of the lead sheet apron.

[rusty barrels]

They are lead splashed ( thats what the gunner said) over the vent and gun approx. 8" in dia. you can see a small dimple where the vent is located and makes it easy to relocate the cover on the gun , 2 holes are usually drilled at the rear of the cover and attached to the back of the gun, they seem to stay in place pretty good, I have seen them on several tall ships I've sailed on.

[Rickk]

I've thought about it for an hour, and I am now thinking a cast "apron" would be better and cheaper that making one out of lead flashing.

No way I am pouring molten lead over my brand new epoxy paint job though 

I can make a decent mold out of hardwood without to much effort. I have never used a wooden lead mold before. I checked on internet, and it looks like people do it all the time. I am assuming I want to bake it in my oven for a coupla hours to make sure it is nice and dry before I pour.

Has anyone else made a mold for lead casting out of wood, and is there anything else I might want to be aware of ?

Rick

[Div Arty]

   Rickk
     
       Shouldn't be a problem.  I use to cast sinkers in 2,  1X2 pine screwed together and drilled down the seam with a flat spade bitt.
   Then insert a wire loop and pour the lead.   Pine didn't last long but a hard wood would work better.  You might want to line it with
   almn. foil.

[Rickk]

It's only gotta last a couple attempts. I have some left over hardwood to make it outa. I will throw it in wife's oven for a coupla hours at 300F first though. Splashing lead I have had enough experiences with the last me a while.

[lance]

Hi Rickk, below is a link to a site with a picture of a conserved cannon apron its not a real great pic but at least its something. also at the bottom of the page you can click on a link for the drawing. They claim the lead is molded to the contour of the barrel which stands to reason. Sorry that's all I got only had a few minutes before work.   Tracy  http://ch-www.st-andrews.ac.uk/wood/Photo854.html
Photographs of the lead cannon apron (Ba854)

that is a good picture, i've read about them but never seen one till now. still haven't found a picture of a hinged lead vent cover, anyone know of a pic of one.

[Rickk]

Yaknow, this was a cool day for me on this forum...

I started out with an idea, and totally changed it based on a few things suggested here... synergy I guess that is called...

I wound up casting an "apron" for my fuse hole out of lead. I had no idea how to do it at 6 AM today, but I did it this evening, and it worked !

I made a mold out of oak. It only held up for one pour, but the pour came out nicely. I made it out of oak, and dried it in my wife's oven at 300F for an hour or so to get all the moisture out. It warped alot in the oven. I clamped it with a coupla C-clamps and started pouring while the mold was still hot. It leaked like a sieve, but I just kept the lead going untill it finally stopped accepting lead. It probably weighs 4#, and I poured over 20# of lead... alot leaked out, but it worked in the end.

What a mess  Is it just me, or does anyone else see the somewhat intimidating guy's head just above the cast iron pan staring at the mold?

Taking the mold apart

cutting the sprue off

I had to drill/chisel out the inner cavity piece. The wood was so dry it was like cutting paper, so no big deal. If you look carefully, you can see that I cast in a couple of "ridges" on the sides near what is the "top" to make it easier to grab. I did that by filing away some of the wood in the mold in those spots

I painted it with black epoxy spraypaint...This is where it goes.

The rain ain't commin in this way any more.    I stamped some lettering on the piece... my initials and date... in case someone finds it 200 years from now

Rick

[lance]

that is neat, and a great looking job.

[Cat Whisperer]

Rick -

Great set of pix - thanks for posting them!

[Tropico]

Super job., neat idea., I love to learn here., thanks Rickk for the info.., it does look great.

[Div Arty]

   I like the frosty one behind the shot with the hacksaw.  Makes a hot afternoon go faster.  Great job on the casting.  Might think of a piece of intertube between the lead and the iron.

                Div Arty