Where to get parts?

[Evil Dog]

Seriously thinking about starting a new project.... either a full or 3/4 scale mountain howitzer.  The barrel and wheels are no problem to find, but where to get the elevation screw mechanism and the hardware for encasing the trunnions?  Also, I'm on a bit of a limited budget.... don't have anywhere near $5,000 or more to invest.  $2,500 or so would probably be about it.  Am I dreaming?

[Double D]

Check with our sponsors!

[Victor3]

 Dom could make it. He recently posted pics of a set of trunnion mounting hardware he did for a wooden carriage.

 The elevation screw assembly could be made fairly easily from off-the-shelf items, but depending on how you wanted to do it might require a little welding.

[Rickk]

cheap bottle jack from Harbor Freight should yield necessary parts for elevation screw.

[Cat Whisperer]

cheap bottle jack from Harbor Freight should yield necessary parts for elevation screw.

As would a yard-sale jack from an import auto.  (Also makes good front rest for very-low-budget benchrest.)

[Evil Dog]

I sacrificed a Harbor Freight "C-clamp" for my last one.  Worked but not what I am looking for this time.

[1Southpaw]

take the screw mech. from a sissor jack. cheap.  They also make great shootong rest for rifles/ pistols.

[Double D]

While we are on the topic of cheap...visit wrecking yards for cheap jacks. Just about every car will have one, mostly unused.

Strip the screw out and send it to one of the sponsors and have them make the appropiate fittings for it.

[dynomike]

I made mine from a screw from an old office chair. I think you need about 8".

[GGaskill]

The original is square thread but you can buy Acme threaded rod in pretty large sizes that looks almost right.  It isn't a Home Depot item but I can get it pretty easily in town.  Depends how close to exact you want.