Author Topic: Mortar/Cannon CONTEST - in the planning stages now. (Read 4300 times)

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #30 on:** February 23, 2005, 03:39:02 PM »

There are SO MANY ways to build small bore mortars!

Here are a few of late that I'm building or have built or have designed and had CNC made.

From .50 cal through golf-ball calibers; a few I'm proud of, some prototypes, some works in progress.

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Powder keg · « **Reply #31 on:** March 01, 2005, 04:37:58 PM »

Just curious, How many people entered the contest so far?

Double D · « **Reply #32 on:** March 01, 2005, 06:15:40 PM »

I'm not sure, I haven't been keeping track, but we can figure it out.

The Oak plank was 8 ft long--96 inches. Each person got a 10 inch piece...George yours will go out in the morning... there was one piece about 15 inches long that had a some knots in it that I set aside. There are two 10 inch pieces left and one of those is mine.

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GGaskill · « **Reply #33 on:** March 07, 2005, 12:56:26 PM »

Received my stuff. Is 1144 weldable (TIG)? My limited references imply it is not readily welded successfully.

Double D · « **Reply #34 on:** March 07, 2005, 02:38:20 PM »

Stress proof is not weldable!? Ah, part of the challenge of the contest.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #35 on:** March 07, 2005, 04:11:40 PM »

Quote from: Double D

Stress proof is not weldable!? Ah, part of the challenge of the contest.

Thank you for bringing this to our attention. As I did an internet search on 1144, steel and weld, I found much the same info. Namely, resulpherised steel cannot be easily weledd. I also found that 1144 is sometimes used as a replacement for 4140 (which also has troubles being welded). The good news is that it turns well and is a very strong material. I have not yet found instructions for welding (as with 4140 one needs to pre-heat).

As DD said, it's part of the challange of design. As I mentioned before, where and how you use these materials is up to you.

GGaskill · « **Reply #36 on:** March 07, 2005, 08:40:44 PM »

I will probably silicon bronze (Everdur) braze it using my TIG machine. Silicon bronze is extremely strong and for a mortar, the weldment is doing little more than keeping the pieces together; the recoil force tends to force the pieces together rather than apart.

Third_Rail · « **Reply #37 on:** March 10, 2005, 06:11:24 PM »

I'd love to participate, but there are two problems.... 1, I don't have access to the machine shop until the beginning of September, and 2, I have nowhere to shoot (being in MA and all)

Looks like a cool contest, though. Do you think in the future there will be more like it?

Double D · « **Reply #38 on:** March 27, 2005, 06:19:23 PM »

My that 1144 machines nice!

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #39 on:** March 28, 2005, 06:58:15 AM »

Quote from: Third_Rail

I'd love to participate, but there are two problems.... 1, I don't have access to the machine shop until the beginning of September, and 2, I have nowhere to shoot (being in MA and all)

Looks like a cool contest, though. Do you think in the future there will be more like it?

Tax-a-chussettes eh? I can think of several histerical places that could use serious urban redevelopment, but I won't suggest that here.

Seriously, the contest is already producing good results - I've tried (since I have a supply of the tubing) about six methods of boring to tune my skills. Others have published some of their on-going building processes - good and bad - which is great for all of us to learn. (I've often said that the real mark of a professional is not making any mistakes but the ability to make it look like the mistake never happened).

SO, YES there will be more contests. Don't have a clue as to the nature of any, but that will become evident when they occur. (This one was the confluence of materials on hand that DD & I donated.)

Your suggestions are invited.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #40 on:** March 28, 2005, 06:59:32 AM »

Quote from: Double D

My that 1144 machines nice!

That was much the same as my observation when I first tryed it!

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #41 on:** May 14, 2005, 04:38:44 PM »

Here's a tip for the competition. (the 30 yard shoot)

I've made several golf-ball caliber mortars - about the same bore diameter and of several different lengths.

The cute one (fire-cracker powered golf ball launcher) will chuck a TopFlight #2 about 8' with an 1-1/2 inch firecracker.

The same mortar with a FULL cap of FFFG Goex will only do about 20'.

On the other hand, if the length of the bore is 2 to 2-1/2 golf balls long (2 to 2-1/2 calibers) one can get just under about 200 yards. That's with 2 - 45acp cases full of FFFg (about 30 grains).

Range is a function of several things, one of which is length of the bore.