Author Topic: Finished my GB mortar!!!! (Read 1565 times)

DaveSB · « **on:** July 08, 2011, 03:36:30 AM »

Made a new toy last night, golf ball mortar. Machined from 4140 solid bar. Powder chamber is 5/8 by 1" deep. I can't wait to finish it, blue it and shoot it!!!

Ex 49'er · « **Reply #1 on:** July 08, 2011, 05:16:32 AM »

Nice lines on your mortar. You're gonna have a lot of fun with that when it's finished. Congrats!!!!

keith44 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 08, 2011, 06:46:35 AM »

Highly addictive aren't they.

DaveSB · « **Reply #3 on:** July 08, 2011, 11:57:44 AM »

few more pics, quicky carriage cause I'm impatient to shoot.

projector · « **Reply #4 on:** July 08, 2011, 01:30:24 PM »

Quote from: DaveSB on July 08, 2011, 03:36:30 AM

Made a new toy last night, golf ball mortar. Machined from 4140 solid bar. Powder chamber is 5/8 by 1" deep. I can't wait to finish it, blue it and shoot it!!!

That's cool...I want a lathe...bad.

DaveSB · « **Reply #5 on:** July 08, 2011, 05:17:45 PM »

I'm lucky to have a job that doesn't mind be tinkering after hours and has a lot of scrap steel laying around. 3 lathes, two mills, surface grinder, blanchard, 480v and 240v welders, plasma cutter, a cryogenic chamber large enough for 2 v8 engines, two industrial ovens, couple 40 and 50 ton presses, etc. Plus one of the owners is building my carriage in exchange for a 75 cal cannon barrel like mine. Helps that he has a common interest.

smokemjoe · « **Reply #6 on:** July 08, 2011, 06:21:36 PM »

Dave : Fine looking job, I went back to work in the pattern shop last week, Work 4 hrs a day for nothing and use the shop to make another bowling ball mortar. You do nice work, JOe

DaveSB · « **Reply #7 on:** July 08, 2011, 06:36:40 PM »

thanks Joe!! You have 'in progress' pics?

Microboomer · « **Reply #8 on:** July 08, 2011, 06:59:25 PM »

Very Nice!

You blued it fast - what do you use? If you use a cold blue, how many coats?
andy

DaveSB · « **Reply #9 on:** July 09, 2011, 05:08:31 AM »

I used Tru Oil Gun bluing kit and about 6 coats. I've had this kit for about a year. It used to give a beautiful, even, dark coat. Now, it takes a while and it's not very even. I think i'm going to reblue with a new kit when I pull everything back appart for the real mortar bed.

projector · « **Reply #10 on:** July 09, 2011, 12:12:24 PM »

Quote from: DaveSB on July 08, 2011, 05:17:45 PM

I'm lucky to have a job that doesn't mind be tinkering after hours and has a lot of scrap steel laying around. 3 lathes, two mills, surface grinder, blanchard, 480v and 240v welders, plasma cutter, a cryogenic chamber large enough for 2 v8 engines, two industrial ovens, couple 40 and 50 ton presses, etc. Plus one of the owners is building my carriage in exchange for a 75 cal cannon barrel like mine. Helps that he has a common interest.

I'm in an oh-so-similiar situatiion but I need some coaching. I used some machine tools in school and know enough to be dangerous. I could see our machinist coming in the morning to 2 disabled lathes and 2 disabled milling machines. I've been watching listings for lathes, so I think it's just a matter of time.'

good work.

DaveSB · « **Reply #11 on:** July 31, 2011, 06:52:11 PM »

Spent some time today in Kingsbury, IN. An old ammunition factory and warehousing from WWII. Has been converted to a preserve, shooting range and hunting area. Good place to test my mortar..... after playing around at the range.

First shot!!!!! Used a golf ball. Everything went as planned.

Second shot, 1 pound lead ball. Didn't fly as far as the golf ball, however it made a nice 'thud' upon impact. Very happy with the results!!

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #12 on:** August 01, 2011, 12:56:43 AM »

There is something distinctly cool about the sounds of a heavy round coming down through the trees!

DaveSB · « **Reply #13 on:** August 20, 2011, 10:53:32 AM »

I FINALLY finished the bed for my little golf ball mortar!!!! It's made from Black Walnut finished with Watco natural. The hand made hardware is painted black and the tube is blued. I really enjoyed making this and am happy I can now enjoy it. I think it turned out amazing!

jeeper1 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 20, 2011, 11:28:53 AM »

Nice wood.
A suggestion if I may.
Acquire a piece sheet metal that you can lay on the wood to protect it from the fuse droppings when firing. Fuse droppings will burn the wood. BTDT.

rifleshooter2 · « **Reply #15 on:** August 20, 2011, 05:45:21 PM »

Thats a fine looking mortar. I hope to see more from you in the future.

Andy

DaveSB · « **Reply #16 on:** August 20, 2011, 06:20:07 PM »

Thanks for the compliments gents, I've got a few more in the works that I hope to complete in the next few months.

Jeeper1, thank you for the idea!! I think I'll to an angled piece of black sheet metal with the crossed brass cannons on it. I saw something similar on a youtube video. This is going to look great, I just ordered the emblem off ebay for $4

DaveSB · « **Reply #17 on:** August 25, 2011, 04:30:12 PM »

finished the plate that protects the carriage. Not perfect, but I like it.

Cannoneer · « **Reply #18 on:** August 25, 2011, 11:21:52 PM »

No.1 is lookin' good, Dave!

1Southpaw · « **Reply #19 on:** August 27, 2011, 06:31:40 PM »

Beautiful wood , Nice looking rig . How does it shoot and how much powder will the chamber hold ?

DaveSB · « **Reply #20 on:** August 28, 2011, 01:18:23 AM »

I have no idea what the equation is for .625 x 1. round chamber is in grains.. I'll take a closer look next time I shoot

Microboomer · « **Reply #21 on:** August 28, 2011, 03:55:41 AM »

I'll bet the chamber holds about 70 grains. (assuming a powder density of 235 grains/cubic inch)

Double D · « **Reply #22 on:** August 28, 2011, 07:35:16 AM »

I am not a big fan of shade tree gunsmithing, but sometimes simple is easier. if I want to find out the capacity of .625 x 1 inch hole I just drill such a hole in a piece of wood fill it with powder then dump the contents on a scale. I can do the math, if I can find the formula....and George will point out my dyslexic errors...which is good!

carmy53 · « **Reply #23 on:** August 29, 2011, 12:42:38 PM »

Quote from: DaveSB on August 20, 2011, 06:20:07 PM

Thanks for the compliments gents, I've got a few more in the works that I hope to complete in the next few months.

Jeeper1, thank you for the idea!! I think I'll to an angled piece of black sheet metal with the crossed brass cannons on it. I saw something similar on a youtube video. This is going to look great, I just ordered the emblem off ebay for $4

I'd like to get one of those crossed cannons emblems too. Do you have the ebay link?

DaveSB · « **Reply #24 on:** August 30, 2011, 01:23:28 AM »

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Artillery-Crossed-Cannons-Brass-L-K-/260826433741?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cba7788cd

carmy53 · « **Reply #25 on:** August 30, 2011, 01:30:22 AM »

Quote from: DaveSB on August 30, 2011, 01:23:28 AM

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Artillery-Crossed-Cannons-Brass-L-K-/260826433741?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cba7788cd

Thanks Dave. Just ordered mine.