I just got a PM which posed this question:
> I want to purchase a properly built cannon, mortar or thundermug mainly to make some noise,
> occasionally to launch a golf ball and I'm not concerned with shooting to the next state.
> Can you give me some pointers? If I had the knowledge and equipment to make my own,
> I would love to do so, but i don't so I will have to purchase one.
Golf ball cannons can be built to a different standard that those firing zinc, lead, or iron spheres because of the VERY light golf ball. HOWEVER, one has NO control of how it's used by others down the road.
With that caviat (which should motivate the marking of such a shootin' iron for golf ball use only) let me add that I've seen from 15' away a properly built bronze cannon with 1" bore explode firing blanks.
The principles are (which others I hope will add to the list)
Powder chamber with walls at least as thick as the diameter, also same thickness of material behind it.
Material: a numbered steel (as 1018, 1027 commonly called cold rolled) the mild steels will tolerate the repetative hamering of firing. Others I'm sure will add comments on brass or bronze. The first 20 some that I've built were from 4140 - the same steel used in modern rifle barrels.
I much prefer one-piece barrels turned on a lathe as opposed to ones that are fabricated from several pieces - for simplicity. One does have to be careful of the welding processes and materials used as that obviously will affect the hardness in the area (hence brittleness) and will create an area of some porosity into which the products of combustion will enter and over time weaken the material. IF proper design and CERTIFIED welders are used it's not a problem.
That's a start. You will find posted here and there some negative comments about those whom produce products that violate some of these rules. The reason is merely the safety of all concerned.
We respect the rules of design, manufacture and loading set forth by the American Artillary Association and the North-South Skirmish Association. They are well worth going to their sites and reading. They have been developed over the YEARS by a BUNCH of folks and EXPERIENCES to provide safe competitoins.
You have to make your own decisions. You're on the right track in doing the research.
