small question~

[oltom]

Hi fella's.....I have been working too much and thinking even more.....I found a neighbor in my area that has a lathe that has a 24"x108" turning ability.....

soo....IF i could get a piece 1018, say 12"x 72" and have him turn and bore it with a 3.4" bore....would it be that same or stronger than a cast/sleeved gun?......trunions could be made and pressed fit in...this fellow is a true machinist~NOTHING is beyond his ability....hummmm maybe even could do a RIFLED piece!!!!!

but seriously, where would a fellow get the steel, (o'neal steel etc???)or would it be too soft? any idea's? i have lots of time to plan such a undertaking....and if i can....i will, i did one, and if i can, i will do another~and my wife will ask~ you already made a 2/3 scale WHAT do you want with a full size??

idea's?

[little seacoast]

Speedy metals has it in 1018 up to 105.0 inches long in 12" diameter and they sell it by the inch (about 37 lbs/inch) @  $97.00+/-.   God only knows what delivery would be. 
 

[PaulB]

Speedy metals has it in 1018 up to 105.0 inches long in 12" diameter and they sell it by the inch (about 37 lbs/inch) @  $97.00+/-.   God only knows what delivery would be. 
 

You can get hot rolled for 1/2 that price....

[Cat Whisperer]

...
1018, ....would it be that same or stronger than a cast/sleeved gun?......
...

MILD steel (such as 1018) REVOLUTIONIZED cannon making in the 1870's/1880's because of the superior strength AND ability to resist wear AND cracking.  (over cast whatever)

My first mortar was from a SCRAP piece of hot rolled steel (hint).

[GGaskill]

You don't say exactly where you are but the way to buy heavy metal is to find a local supplier so you don't have to pay the shipping fees.  A piece of 12" diameter by 6 feet steel is going to weigh about 2240 lbs and cost at least that many dollars, I would expect.  Now a properly made cannon using that piece would be a winner.

However, a 108" lathe is about a foot short (maybe more) of being long enough to drill that barrel so maybe you should consider a slightly smaller one.

[Victor3]

 On the material delivery, if you have a local supplier who delivers to your area, I've found that they will usually drop it off for free if they have their own trucks and are in the neighborhood at the time you want your stuff. You'll generally have to unload heavy items yourself though, so a forklift may be required.

 Aside from a big lathe, you need to consider tooling. Does your friend have a large enough steady rest? Cutting tools available to do a bore that length & diameter? Lifting device to load/unload a heavy piece safely?

[oltom]

thanks guys....the answers give me more thoughts~ the fellow i know can handle anything i could throw at him, lifting the mat'l , tooling it ect. now as for the delivery price i do see o'neal steel truck thru my area which is lower tenn. and i could go to nashville with my own truck and get the piece of base mat'l. this will be a long-time-comming idea, and the machinist is half my age....so i have years to work out the plan HE will still be working when I retire ..... it would be a way i could get a full size 12lb and NOT pay the 25K that they costs....as I can make the carraige and wheels etc....

and yes, the wife DID say "why do you want one?".........i answered "just because they're cool!"


p.s. just went to the Speedy metals web page  the barrel would be base $$ 3K.....maybe it isn't such a 'do-able' thing for a while
then again....IF i ever hit the lottery.................

[Zulu]

kaintuck,
Show us a picture of your 2/3rd scale.
Zulu

[GGaskill]

If you can make a really nice carriage, maybe the way to do this is make two and sell one.  Well made carriages draw almost as much as the barrel.

[Double D]

Speedy metals and a couple of others internet source are really good for small order and specialty steels.  I use them, plus Metal Express, and Online Metals.  Speedy metals usually has the best price.  Metal Express seems to be out of stock quite a bit lately and online metals are expensive.

The killer with all these companies if freight.  Check the yellow pages in you area for tool and alloy steel suppliers. Give them a call and see what they suggest. If you are working with a guy that has big equipment ask him where he gets his steel. 
 

[armorer77]

Try to add your order when your friend has a large order , I save about 1/2 when the order is over 10,000 lbs . Armorer77

[RocklockI]

A full scal Herns is $2305 it weighs 1230 lbs . Your freind could spend some time and clean it up real nice .

As Napoleans are pretty generic you might save some cash and get to shooting sooner .

Make a road trip to Washington and drive it home .

Gary

[Zulu]

A full scal Herns is $2305 it weighs 1230 lbs . Your freind could spend some time and clean it up real nice .

As Napoleans are pretty generic you might save some cash and get to shooting sooner .

Make a road trip to Washington and drive it home .

Gary

That Napolean sits on a #2 carriage if properly mounted.  A #2 carriage has to be pushing $10,000.  To make one yourself will involve at least a years skilled labor.  There is nothing easy about making that type of carriage.  There are challenges you can't yet imagine if you've never tried it before.
Zulu

[oltom]

kaintuck,
Show us a picture of your 2/3rd scale.
Zulu

 

[Zulu]

Nice job on the carriage!  Did you build it?  Wheels?
Zulu