Hi all let me first start by saying great site!
Only great because because of the people who hang out here.
Here's what I have. It's a 5in long 3" diam. piece of solid steel that I've bored out 1.5"s. I've only gone down about 4"s at this point. I was thinking about adding a powder chamber.
Stop!!! Don't do anything more yet! What type of steel is this? Is it suitable for a cannon or mortar? Not all steel is!
If the steel is suitable do some research in our
References: Cannon FAQ's, Posting Picture Books, the web, and Cannon Plans stickies and find your self a design. Lots of good ideas there. I would suggest a Coehorn pattern of some sort. Take a look at the GGaskill design. Your barrel is a bit short for much else. You will have to open the ball bore up to 1.723.
The powder chamber normally is based on the diameter of the barrel over the chamber. Based on the dimensions you have given you would have been able to put in a 1 inch chamber. Powder chamber should not be more than 1/3 the diameter of the barrel at the chamber area. Using the 3 inch diameter you gave, that means the powder chamber could have beeen no more than 1 inch diameter. Since you only have 1 inches left to put the chamber, you can only use a 1/2" deep chamber and that means the diameter can't be more than 1/2" also. I think you can still redeem this barrel if the steel is good. That will work just fine for 30-60 yard golf balls.
I know I could save it.
This would only be for salute or noise purposes. No projectiles will be fired. So here are the questions.
We are all are good naturedly snickering a little at this. A lot of us have BTDT. We know better. One of the things we like to say is to build your gun for how the next guy will use it, not how you will use it. Trust me when I say you will shoot projectiles. Why not!
Don't be deceived, pressure is still present even in salute/blank guns. Mortars don't make a good salute/blank guns. They go bloop and not bang.
If I wanted to buy more steel to make another salute mortar/cannon.
1. What type of steel should I use? What diam.? What length?
Normally we suggest 1018. Diameter and length will be dictated by the caliber and type of cannon you want to build. For a first cannon. I suggest you get a set of plans for specific gun and build to plans. This will give you some sense of proportions and scale, later as you learn more about cannons you can free hand and get creative.
Go to the
Blackpowder Cannons and shooting supplies link list in our stickies and look for the folks selling plans and get a set.
Antique Ordnance Publisher sells plans with full scale drawings. They perhaps are one of the best bargains on the internet. You may think they are expensive, but when you get the plans, you will change your mind. You will have to scale the plans up or down to fit your steel. If you want to work to an exact scale AOP plans come with a chart telling how convert the measurements to fit.
The other set of drawings I would recommend are those listed as
Scale Model Cannon Plans. I am familiar with the source of the plans and they are good. I just have not ordered from this source.
2. Can I use Al and if so same question as above.
No! Not strong enough.
