wooden cannons

[Zulu]

I have posted some of my wooden cannons before on this site.  Here is one I just finished.  It is a 1/2 scale Spanish 10" mortar.  The sled is 27" long and the bore on the barrel is 5" diameter.
The first pci is what I was trying to replicate.
Zulu

[Elijah Gunn]

nice work.

[Zulu]

This mortar has a 5" diameter bore that was very hard to do.  It is 7" deep with a smaller powder chamber in the bottom.
I run into the end grain boring problem every time I make a cannon.
How would anyone bore end grain in these large diameters (3" - 5")?
I'll let you know how I did this after I hear your input.
Thanks,
Zulu

[Zulu]

All right, 70 views and not one post to help me figure out a better way to bore large holes.  Is it just not done in wood?
Zulu

[Soot]

How bout using a boring head in the tailstock.

[Carl l.]

Zulu, you do really nice work, but it is above my knowledge base. If you go to Sawmill creek, then click on Sawmill Creek-powered by vbulletin they have all kinds of forums there about woodworking. I am sure some of the turners can help you. I hope this helps. Carl L.

[Zulu]

Thanks CarlI,
I,ve been to some other woodworking forums and the general consensus is that I'm on my own.  There is a company that makes very large wood boring bits.  I'm checking into it but I fear that the pricing will be prohibitive.
I have also been to sawmill creek snooping around.  Nice site.
Zulu