I have been very busy

[Zulu]

The Pirates wanted some display cannon balls.  My first thought was 3" wooden balls in a stand.  I sold them one stack of 14 wooden balls.
They were too expensive.
Then I remembered I had a ball mold.
I have been casting concrete balls with it.  The pirates want another stack at almost half the price of the wooden balls.
They turn out pretty good.  I mix 50% Portland and 50% sand.  It has to be able to pour so it is pretty wet.  I can cast one ball in the morning and one in the evening.
The cement has minor shrinkage on top of the ball.  I cut off the sprue and grind it round.
If they are stacked with the good side up it looks pretty good.
Do you think these could shoot from a 3" bore?  If I remember correctly, my mold makes 2.92" balls.  These weigh almost exactly one pound.
Zulu
 

[SLT kota]

The Pirates wanted some display cannon balls.  My first thought was 3" wooden balls in a stand.  I sold them one stack of 14 wooden balls.
They were too expensive.
Then I remembered I had a ball mold.
I have been casting concrete balls with it.  The pirates want another stack at almost half the price of the wooden balls.
They turn out pretty good.  I mix 50% Portland and 50% sand.  It has to be able to pour so it is pretty wet.  I can cast one ball in the morning and one in the evening.
The cement has minor shrinkage on top of the ball.  I cut off the sprue and grind it round.
If they are stacked with the good side up it looks pretty good.
Do you think these could shoot from a 3" bore?  If I remember correctly, my mold makes 2.92" balls.  These weigh almost exactly one pound.
Zulu
 

Looks great!
 
Just a note, are you doing anything to them to keep people from trying to take them? Where I grew up they filled the inside of the stack of cannon balls with concrete to keep them all hooked together and people still tried to pry them out.

[Zulu]

Stealing them?  Not my problem.  The more they steal, the more I sell.
Does anyone think these would shoot without busting up in a 3" bore?
Zulu

[Double D]

I would be more concerned with them scouring the bore versus breaking up.

[intoodeep]

 I know, this will get me in trouble... But, weren't original projectiles made of stone??? They were supposed to fragment after firing.... 

[Double D]

I know, this will get me in trouble... But, weren't original projectiles made of stone??? They were supposed to fragment after firing.... 

Some were indeed.

[Cannoneer]

There's no doubt that carved stone balls were amongst the first projectiles fired from cannon, but I don't think that there's any history to suggest that they were ever intended to, or in fact did fragment upon firing. When the Ottoman forces finally captured Constantinople, it was their huge guns firing heavy stone shot that provided the means to batter, and then successfully breach the massive walls.

[dominick]

Zulu,  Nice work on the cannons!

[Zulu]

Zulu,  Nice work on the cannons!

Thanks Dominick,
They really are pretty cool.
 I like that they can go outdoors unlike my wooden guns.  Plus they are heavy, so they are at least harder to steal.
Zulu

[Cannoneer]

I like that they can go outdoors unlike my wooden guns.  Zulu

What kind of super-duper finish did you seal the carriages with?

[Zulu]

I like that they can go outdoors unlike my wooden guns.  Zulu

What kind of super-duper finish did you seal the carriages with?

Cannoneer,
There is a product called "Sikkens".  It is a stain/sealer and I have had very good luck with it.  It's pricy at $75 a gallon but lasts longer than anything else I have tried. 
Zulu

[shred]

There's no doubt that carved stone balls were amongst the first projectiles fired from cannon, but I don't think that there's any history to suggest that they were ever intended to, or in fact did fragment upon firing. When the Ottoman forces finally captured Constantinople, it was their huge guns firing heavy stone shot that provided the means to batter, and then successfully breach the massive walls.

There are stone cannonballs littered all over the Old Town of Rhodes from several different sieges, including some stuck in the walls (most appear to be there intentionally and not as a result of impact however), and while some are cracked or missing chunks, by and large they are pretty much intact.  Now some of them would have been unfired, but there's no way all of 'em were, especially those dug from the moat (They also are all far larger than would be reasonable for use on a pirate ship).

[Zulu]

For anyone that has any interest, here is a link to the Pirate Museum in Galveston where my six cannons went to.
On the home page there is two video clips.  If you click on the second one you will have to sit through 30 seconds of commercial and then starts a Fox News clip.  At 38 seconds you will get a 5 second view of my guns in their display.  I have not been to Galveston to see it yet but when I go I'll take some pictures and post them here.
Zulu
 
http://www.piratesgulfcoast.com/index.shtml

[onegreatshot]

AAArrrrrr, you did a good job there little Timmy now, fetch me a schooner of that thar Ale for me I feel a little dry.

[RocklockI]

I would say very cool ! 
 
Dude that is very very cool ! ARE YOU LOOKING AT ME ? YOU MUST BE lookin at ME
Say hello to my big aszed freinds    .
 
I'm interested to see the mortar bed you made for DD's 24 lber! 
Gary
 
 

[Double D]

 
I'm interested to see the mortar bed you made for DD's 24 lber! 
Gary

He has pictures, I have the base....I won't post pictures of his work.

I have the inletting to do and then the  metal clean up. Then I will  ship the whole thing off to SMLE303.  I will take pictures and post them before Ship.

The final finish will be up to him.

[flagman1776]

 

[JeffG]

Wow that's really amazing! I can almost hear the creaking of the mainmast rigging and the seagulls!  "Mister Christian!"