My First Cannon

[P38]

I thought it was time to introduce myself as I've been lurking here for sometime now.
 
My names Pete, a kiwi from New Zealand.
 
I'm a recent convert to Black Powder Cannons and a real novice at it too.
 
I have recently manufactured my own Black Powder Golf Ball Cannon mostly because I can (30yr + Toolmaker) and because the Pistol/Rifle Club I belong to holds an annual cannon shoot.
 
Sourcing all the materials and manufacturing the cannon was a breeze, researching the the correct designs, dimensions and loading methods was more difficult and the most enjoyable part of this project.
 
I decided to base my cannon on the design of a Mountain Howitzer, I drew up my own plans, machined up the necessary parts and assembled my First Cannon.
 
I took it onto the range last Sunday and we tested it untill we ran out of powder..... and it performed Sweet As for us too 
 
Man who would have thought shooting cannons is so addictive............... can't wait for the next range day. 
 
Anyways I have made a couple of Videos of how I make my loads up and of firing the cannon.
I placed them on Youtube if your keen to check them out.
 

Any questions, comments or suggestions on what I have done are most welcome as I said earlier this is the first cannon I have manufactured and also the first I have fired.
 
Looking forward to your feed back.
 
Cheers
Pete
 
 

[Cannoneer]

Welcome aboard, Pete! I admire your howitzer; is the barrel stainless?

[strangefire]

Nice Cannon!! Being a machinist can pay off some times. I believe that all professions has it's pros. like me, been a car and diesel mechanic for 30+ years and never taken my truck to a shop for repairs and you being a machinist building your own cannon. Sometimes I wish I was a machinist, or a carpenter, a pilot, Pharmacist,, rocket scientist, veterinarian, Class III gun maker........but then,  I like being me.......... Good job!! Soooo Whats going to be your next cannon build, I know your thinking of the next one.............    :-)

[little seacoast]

Nice Howitzer you've built there sir, accurate too. Wish I knew more about metal working, woodworking is more my speed.  I enjoyed your videos of shooting the magpie but have a concern with the load forming procedure you are following. It appears that the forming tube, ramming rod, and pushrod are all made of a ferrous metal subject to making sparks if struck together.  If this is so, you may have a very unfortunate event there on your bench.  Perhaps tools of brass or other non sparking material might be in order. Just a thought. We'd hate to lose a talented maker who seems to enjoy his new sport. Cheers!

[BoomLover]

Nice videos!  Enjoyed watching them both, thanks for posting, and again, welcome to the Forum! BoomLover

[dittles]

Thanks for sharing those videos. It's always good to see fire and smoke!

[P38]

Thanks for all your replies, the welcome and your comments of support.
 
To answer some of your questions
 
Cannoneer
The barrel is machined from a solid piece of 4140 bar stock
 
Strangefire
My next project is a beer can motar, I've finished my drawings and I'll begin cutting steel later today 
I'll post a picture when it's finished.
I'm also keen to make an accurate scale model Krupp or Dalhgren mounted on a barbette carriage.
That might be a good winter project for next year.
 
Little Seacoast
The former is Aluminium and the mandrel is stainless, dissimilar metals (Ferrous/Non Ferrous) should not spark when struck together.
However I probally should turn up some wooden mandrels just in case.
I try to avoid having accidents as I like having two hands, two eyes etc as I find they come in handy occasionally. 
 
Thanks again for your replies and words of encouragement.
 
Cheers
Pete

[Double D]

A suggestion,

When you make the foil cartridge move the from closer tot he edge of the  foil about a distance equal to the diameter of the  former. Then as you roll the foil around the former, fold the foil over the end as you roll the former and foil. That will give you thinner base and lessen the chance wadded end won't be under the vent when you prick your charge--not good.  When loading the charge  this flat end goes in first.

I like the tools you made.  You video is very handy to show what the look like and how they  work. Great job!!

[armorer77]

If I might suggest , I have had good results by using 2 squares of foil . Fold 1 square down over the base end of the mandrel , then roll the other piece around the side securing with tape .  99% of the time everything goes out the barrel . Ed

[Double D]

Here is the link to the tutorial we have posted here on making foil cartridges,

Making Cannon Cartridges 

[P38]

Amourer77 & Double D
 
Thanks for the suggestions I'll give them a try and see how they go.
 
Double D
Thanks for the link to making foil charges....... My fired foil charges are coming out just like the photos on page 34 of the Artillieryman article.  I will also try out the baggie, although I haven't seen any smouldering powder in my wormed foils or in my cannon ..... Yet!  However I am looking after every shot.
 
I turned up the barrel for my Motar yesterday and will begin on the Sled Base Carriage drawings today.... Our annual cannon shoot is planned for December 11 and I would like if ready for action by then.
 
Cheers
Pete

[flagman1776]

 

[Double D]

I have seen several reason given for the plastic bag.  The best explanation for it is given in the Foil Cartridge article.  I am reposting the article here for everyone to read.

C. Peter Jorgensen Editor of the Artilleryman has kindly granted us permission to post copies of an article published in the Artilleryman in 1988 on how to make cartridges for the Cannon.

Thanks Pete!

[Zulu]

Douglas,
Pete Jorgensen died a year or two ago.  The editor is now his wife Kathryn Jorgensen.
Zulu

[Double D]

Douglas,
Pete Jorgensen died a year or two ago.  The editor is now his wife Kathryn Jorgensen.
Zulu

Yes that is correct.  Peter gave me permission to post back in 2003 when I  made the original post.

[RocklockI]

P38 Welcome aboard !
 
Nice cannon ,and good job making it ! I'd send you a couple Fox balls if it were fesable .
 
Were these pics fired with a GB loaded ?
 
Gary

[P38]

P38 Welcome aboard !
 
Nice cannon ,and good job making it ! I'd send you a couple Fox balls if it were fesable .
 
Were these pics fired with a GB loaded ?
 
Gary

Thanks for your welcome and very generous offer Gary.
 
I think I'll end up making my own golf ball moulds eventually.
 
Yes all shots were made with a golf ball and various podwer charges.
 
I could not see them go fro where I was but others much further back did see them.
Apparently they went pretty straight for the first few hundred meters then the began to slice quickly to the right.
 
The magpie target was at 50m and I nearly got it too.
 
Cheers
Pete

[GGaskill]

I'd send you a couple Fox balls if it were feasible.

Just put them in a box so they can't move around and mail them.  Describe them as Chinese iron balls (note the diameter of 1.8 inches), not cannon shot, on the forms.

[Double D]

I like Georges description, but you could call them what they are.  Grinding balls.

[flagman1776]

 

[Double D]

One step removed from brass balls, I needed to smuggle another cannon past the wife...

Understand that concept fully.  Even though she is gone now, I still wonder how I can get it past her.

[Zulu]

One step removed from brass balls, I needed to smuggle another cannon past the wife...

Understand that concept fully.  Even though she is gone now, I still wonder how I can get it past her.

"In memoriam".
Zulu

[T Brooks]

Hello Pete.

Where are you in NZ.  I am between Palmerston North and Levin.  I have also just started with black powder cannons.

I have a desire to build a 75% scale mountain howitzer.  I was thinking of using a piece of Low Carbon Hollow Bar. A bit expensive but high strength and good to weld.  Would you be able to post some dimensions of what you ended up with for for wall thickness at the breech and in the larger bore area?

Cheers
Tarquin

[Double D]

One step removed from brass balls, I needed to smuggle another cannon past the wife...

Understand that concept fully.  Even though she is gone now, I still wonder how I can get it past her.

"In memoriam".
Zulu

Funny, I can see her in my mind reading that and rolling her eyes...as only wives can do. Thanks for the smile.

[P38]

Hello Pete.

Where are you in NZ.  I am between Palmerston North and Levin.  I have also just started with black powder cannons.

I have a desire to build a 75% scale mountain howitzer.  I was thinking of using a piece of Low Carbon Hollow Bar. A bit expensive but high strength and good to weld.  Would you be able to post some dimensions of what you ended up with for for wall thickness at the breech and in the larger bore area?

Cheers
Tarquin

Tarquin
 
I'm in Hastings.
 
Hollow bar should be ok..... not sure if I should be posting the dimensions for my cannon but if you would like to PM me we can discuss it further.
 
Cheers
Pete

[Double D]

If you guys are new building cannons, you might what take alook at our sticky at teh top of the forum for some safety guidelines on building.  The sticky is called Safe loads and cannon plans.

[P38]

If you guys are new building cannons, you might what take alook at our sticky at teh top of the forum for some safety guidelines on building.  The sticky is called Safe loads and cannon plans.

Thanks Double D ...... Thats a great Idea.

[T Brooks]

Thanks Double D.

I had read that thread and used the loading chart as a guide along with recommendations from my local cannon builder (at the hunting shop).

I will start a new thread to avoid further hijacking Pete's thread.

Cheers
Tarquin

[Cat Whisperer]

One step removed from brass balls, I needed to smuggle another cannon past the wife...

Understand that concept fully.  Even though she is gone now, I still wonder how I can get it past her.

Easier now, but paybacks are deferred.   

[DaveSB]

Nice first cannon! I prefer 4140 solid bar as well. It has such a nice finish after machining. Thanks for posting.