Author Topic: Unspiking (attempt #4) (Read 4184 times)

Frank46 · « **Reply #60 on:** May 30, 2008, 06:23:49 PM »

I've been following this quest for some time now. Just a suggestion, but maybe you could try a hole saw slightly smaller than the bore and when its cut through the cup and then use a cape chisel to cut through two sides about 180 degrees apart and maybe then the cup could be removed. For whats its worth,Frank

Squire Robin · « **Reply #61 on:** May 30, 2008, 10:55:00 PM »

Quote from: KABAR2 on May 30, 2008, 04:38:59 PM

Ummmm................ Squire.................. By blasting powder do you mean cannon powder? or Fg powder? Or do you mean BLASTING POWDER?

I mean cannon powder

Big shiny black grains, looks a bit like miniature anthracite.

Top left on this page... http://www.fireworks.org.uk/explosives%20sales%20page/explosives.html

Squire Robin · « **Reply #62 on:** June 01, 2008, 05:45:33 AM »

Half a pound of powder, 2 lbs of grass. The camera microphone couldn't handle the boom

Blimey, I thought there was supposed to be a bit of fizz before the bang, here's me leaping back when ignition is instantaneous

http://www.robinhewitt.net/Falkirk.wmv (1.23Mb)

And here's the entire loading/firing process from behind

http://www.robinhewitt.net/Falkirk2.wmv (11.55Mb)

cannonmn · « **Reply #63 on:** June 01, 2008, 05:59:51 AM »

Thanks for the video, glad you got some shots off.

I think the two videos could be used as a training film on how NOT to shoot cannons safely, and you may already know that. It is just by sheer luck that you weren't blinded by flame or powder grains. The list of "Never ...." would take me too long to list.

You've got to at least use a fuse or linstock to keep heads away from the vent. People getting their heads and jewels for that matter, in front of a loaded cannon, risking a fatality there. Loading with both hands on the ramrod, standing directly in front of the muzzle, I can understand why you had someone else do that.

All I can say is you and your "friends" are very lucky to have gotten out of those frightening episodes in one piece.

I suggest you buy a lot of extra liability and "accidental dismemberment" insurance if you plan to keep shooting that way.

Squire Robin · « **Reply #64 on:** June 01, 2008, 07:32:25 AM »

I hear what you are saying. Problem is this is England, a very different culture and I am definitely the product of my forefathers.

It is not done to interfere. Should I see someone in real danger, I can shout, "Look out!" But if I see someone merely taking a risk about the best I can manage, without straying beyond the bounds of etiquette, is, "Are you entirely sure that's wise/safe?"

Perhaps we need to take an American along next time, he could keep us in line.

best regards

Squire Robin

cannonmn · « **Reply #65 on:** June 01, 2008, 07:58:14 AM »

Ah yes the etiquette! Well just smile and very politely say to them:

"Please get your bloody head out from in front of the bloody muzzle of the bloody loaded cannon."

I guess I wouldn't be a very popular gun captain!

Squire Robin · « **Reply #66 on:** June 01, 2008, 08:18:37 AM »

That wouldn't be a problem, people would make allowances on account of you being a Johnny Foreigner.

They would do everything you asked, not one murmur of dissent, not even behind your back.

OTOH, they might accidentally forget to invite you next time. It's a different world

Edit: Of course they would invite you back if they found it amusing.

KABAR2 · « **Reply #67 on:** June 01, 2008, 09:57:30 AM »

Quote from: Squire Robin on June 01, 2008, 07:32:25 AM

Perhaps we need to take an American along next time, he could keep us in line.

best regards

Squire Robin

Well Squire,

I've always wanted to go to England, just let me know when the airfare is on the way and I'll pack my bag!

Allen <><

Squire Robin · « **Reply #68 on:** June 01, 2008, 10:57:53 AM »

Why on earth would I send airfare? It's a well known fact that all Americans are millionaires and live in skyscrapers

cannonmn · « **Reply #69 on:** June 01, 2008, 11:15:17 AM »

Quote

I've always wanted to go to England

Warm beer and all? Well they've got some great museums, lotsa cannons in 'em.

GGaskill · « **Reply #70 on:** June 03, 2008, 01:00:57 PM »

So did firing your gun clear out the offending pieces?

dan610324 · « **Reply #71 on:** June 04, 2008, 01:18:39 AM »

squire robin , I agree with you , no idea to send the ticket to an american , and it would be much cheaper if you send it to me in sweden

but please sir , never loading again standing in front of the gun .
and please use an linstock next time , there is an good reason why they invented them

do you still got your eyebrows in place ?? ok they grow out again

also when using an linstock it could be nice with an pair of protective glasses .
but without both linstock and protective glasses you are lucky to not been an blind man today .
you was lucky last time , hope you not try again .
we sure want you here at the forum for an longer time

but back to the reason you fired it this time , what happened ??
any progress ?

dominick · « **Reply #72 on:** June 04, 2008, 01:28:49 AM »

There was an accident in Florida a few years back were a man used a lit cigar to ignite a cannon. The cigar was in his mouth at the time.

dan610324 · « **Reply #73 on:** June 04, 2008, 01:31:15 AM »

how much was it left of him after that ??

KABAR2 · « **Reply #74 on:** June 04, 2008, 04:13:35 AM »

I had an old timer "helping" me with the Howitzer I used to have, I was having trouble getting my linstock lit, He says
"here I'll get it" before I could say any thing he reaches over with his cigar and touches off the mound of powder......
the jet of gas that came out of the touch hole cut his cigar in half and burned his hand...... "Da##" he said.... "it always
worked in the movies"

Tropico · « **Reply #75 on:** June 04, 2008, 06:18:26 AM »

Thank You Squire Robin .,
For the videos.., a superb follow up to a good story. The electrolysis ., and all the other topics have been a pretty good learning experience for me. Ive really enjoyed the threads on this cannon. Congratulations on your success's sir. Firing the cannon at Falkirk is a pretty good way to top off this thread ! "Better meddle wi' the deil than the Bairns O' Falkirk." That wouldnt be the first cannon to be fired there now would it .

dan610324 · « **Reply #76 on:** June 04, 2008, 11:11:48 AM »

theres no problem using an cigar to ignite the gun , the problem is to find an 3 ft cigar

rampa room artillery · « **Reply #77 on:** June 04, 2008, 01:39:27 PM »

That video is about the most unsafe loading practice i have ever seen. I dont mean to be mean or get an additude, you just didnt know better, but please look up the N-SSa.orgs cannon safety rules, i twill keep you guys alive. cannons can explode, and just go off when your not expecting. we all play with fire, we have all known someone that got hurt from a cannon and we have all made stupid mistakes with cannons and mortars. but dont be careless and think everything will be ok. i would hate to see a fellow artillery man get hurt on his gun or die because he was careless or didnt konw anybetter.

stay away from the muzzle of the gun while loading, and when its loaded never walk infront of the gun. and never light the powder with a lighter in your hand.

rick bryan
3rd va. co. B
N-Ssa

dan610324 · « **Reply #78 on:** June 04, 2008, 01:47:14 PM »

cant agree more to that

Squire Robin · « **Reply #79 on:** June 05, 2008, 08:51:12 AM »

Actually the chap shooting it has a much larger cannon of his very own which he's trying to unblock from it's traffic bollard days...

...I shall be sure to mention we got told off for breaking the rules. I would hate to see anyone rain on his parade

dan610324 · « **Reply #80 on:** June 05, 2008, 11:26:29 AM »

I for sure hope he not got any ideas to use heavy loads and balls in that gun .

Squire Robin · « **Reply #81 on:** June 05, 2008, 02:11:56 PM »

Quote from: dan610324 on June 05, 2008, 11:26:29 AM

I for sure hope he not got any ideas to use heavy loads and balls in that gun .

No, we are quite safe, he's English

rampa room artillery · « **Reply #82 on:** June 05, 2008, 02:23:02 PM »

I sure do like all those cannons and mortars you guys left here in yorktown va. in 1781,
they are great war trophies and we still shoot some of them.

dont be so uptight all the time, we are all good firends here on the board. we are all brothers in artillery.
so i ask please play nice adn keep the sarcasim at home.

fellow artilleryman

Rick bryan
N-Ssa
3rd va. co B

Squire Robin · « **Reply #83 on:** June 06, 2008, 03:08:11 AM »

Quote from: rampa room artillery on June 05, 2008, 02:23:02 PM

dont be so uptight all the time, ... please play nice adn keep the sarcasim at home.

Gosh, do I really come across as 'uptight' and 'sarcastic'?

Obviously I need to work on my image

Double D · « **Reply #84 on:** June 06, 2008, 03:17:28 AM »

Robin,

I don't think you were uptight or sarcastic...

dan610324 · « **Reply #85 on:** June 06, 2008, 04:19:55 AM »

I think most people here behave nice , maybe some humor sometimes .
but thats just nice .

Im among those who sometimes comes with an humorous comment , if you think thats sarcastic , ok , thats up to you . I hope most of us are living in free countries and are allowed to express their opinions .

no hard feelings I hope

cannonmn · « **Reply #86 on:** June 06, 2008, 08:48:37 AM »

Quote

Gosh, do I really come across as 'uptight' and 'sarcastic'?

Not at all, I read all your comments and thought they showed the reserved tone characteristic of the British.

Maybe someone "read something into" it that was not really there.

rampa room artillery · « **Reply #87 on:** June 06, 2008, 10:11:03 AM »

sorry, i must have read it wrong, i guess i was looking at the wording incorrectly. fellow artilleryman i was just trying to keep you safe and not see you get hurt with my fear of how you guys were loading the gun.

be safe all cannon men,

live to shoot another day.

Squire Robin · « **Reply #88 on:** June 06, 2008, 10:07:37 PM »

Hi Rampa, there's nothing to apologise for, we are okay

Hey Double D, as you are a cannon freak and favorite person I have something you might like

I see the domain name cannons.us is coming up for renewal. I bought it some years ago but never used it, would you like it?

cannonmn · « **Reply #89 on:** June 06, 2008, 11:44:56 PM »

Quote

Actually the chap shooting it has a much larger cannon of his very own which he's trying to unblock from it's traffic bollard days...

I don't necessarily endorse firing such a corroded cast-iron gun at all, but realizing your friend will probably do it anyway, here's how to minimize danger:

When bore is clear back to a fairly solid surface, even if it is still filled with something at the breech, he can fire it using quickmatch or electric ignition from the muzzle, as long as certain precautions are followed. In loading, never get any body part in front of muzzle, and use a safety (crook) rammer to keep hands out of danger. Such firing using an unknown chamber base would have to be limited to one round every 12 hours or so since you could not be sure of getting all debris out after firiing. Use minimal or zero wadding with such a very old, corroded gun and fire from a distance with no one at right-angles from the bore, a possible fragment zone if there is a material failure. I would fire from a good distance using electrical ignition, or a time fuse to give delay to a quickmatch. Everyone should be at least 50 feet directly to the rear of the cannon when it fires, don't let anyone stand to the side of it.