« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: New picture of my bowling ball mortar  (Read 2570 times)

0 Members and 3 Guests are viewing this topic.

Offline Webleys

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 37
New picture of my bowling ball mortar
« on: December 29, 2010, 08:02:49 PM »
Had a great shoot yesterday. Oleg Volk shot this one of the bowling ball mortar.



There is no enhancement of the muzzle flash, but I used 4 oz of cannon grade powder instead of my usual Fg or FFg. I normally get about 400 yards with the FG, but with the cannon grade stuff more like 25 yards but a very nice muzzle flash with all that powder still burning outside the barrel; much lower muzzle velocity too for pictures.
Logged

Offline Cat Whisperer

  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7493
  • Gender: Male
  • Pulaski Coehorn Works
Re: New picture of my bowling ball mortar
« Reply #1 on: December 30, 2010, 01:54:54 AM »
COOL!  Great pix,

Horizontal format lends itself to the calendar (hint)!

How much clearance [windage] do you have between the ball and the tube?
Logged
Tim K                 www.GBOCANNONS.COM
Cat Whisperer
Chief of Smoke, Pulaski Coehorn Works & Winery
U.S.Army Retired
N 37.05224  W 80.78133 (front door +/- 15 feet)

Offline Webleys

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 37
Re: New picture of my bowling ball mortar
« Reply #2 on: December 30, 2010, 04:28:14 AM »
Quote from: Cat Whisperer on December 30, 2010, 01:54:54 AM
COOL!  Great pix,

Horizontal format lends itself to the calendar (hint)!

How much clearance [windage] do you have between the ball and the tube?

I've never actually measured the windage, but it seems like a reasonable fit, it I just drop a ball into the bore I don't get it slowed down noticeably by compression of the air in the barrel (with my 81 mm the can is slowed down by compression a bit). I've had a couple of balls, out of the 100 or so I've fired, that are off size or out of round and were too tight (and rejected). I do get a bit of muzzle flash with Fg but nothing like this, with most of the powder burning outside the barrel.

I'll have to look at the other ones in horizontal format, it's hard to do justice to something that shoots so vertically with a horizontal shot.

Thanks for replacing the link with the actual picture, here is a link to the big version...

http://olegvolk.net/gallery/technology/arms/mortar_5531.jpg.html?g2_imageViewsIndex=1

Oleg has lots of great photography of guns and other stuff over there.
Logged

Offline Cat Whisperer

  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7493
  • Gender: Male
  • Pulaski Coehorn Works
Re: New picture of my bowling ball mortar
« Reply #3 on: December 30, 2010, 10:52:02 AM »
I LIKE the big pix!

The details - like channel iron look like channel iron and not 2x4's. 
Logged
Tim K                 www.GBOCANNONS.COM
Cat Whisperer
Chief of Smoke, Pulaski Coehorn Works & Winery
U.S.Army Retired
N 37.05224  W 80.78133 (front door +/- 15 feet)

Offline Webleys

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 37
Re: New picture of my bowling ball mortar
« Reply #4 on: December 30, 2010, 04:36:17 PM »
Quote from: Cat Whisperer on December 30, 2010, 10:52:02 AM
I LIKE the big pix!

The details - like channel iron look like channel iron and not 2x4's.  

I should hope so!  ;D The thing weighs about 650 lbs; it was a bear to move around before I added the wheels. For moving it around I have smaller, 7" wheels on the back that I remove before firing, since most of the recoil ends up on the 3/4" rear axle. That channel iron is actually 2 pieces of C channel welded back to back with the 3/8" sides in between.

I don't worry about standing too close, since the breech plug alone weighs 95 lbs and is heat shrunk into the barrel and then plug welded, seam welded and then the 3" trunnion is welded on top of all that. Never mind the sleeve that's heat shrunk over the lower barrel. I'm not saying that I couldn't blow it up but I'd have to really abuse it, which I don't.

I'm going to inspect and repaint it this spring. Acme and Coyote theme!  ;D
Logged

Offline willdj79

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 37
Re: New picture of my bowling ball mortar
« Reply #5 on: December 30, 2010, 09:09:14 PM »
Quote from: Webleys on December 30, 2010, 04:36:17 PM
Quote from: Cat Whisperer on December 30, 2010, 10:52:02 AM
I LIKE the big pix!

The details - like channel iron look like channel iron and not 2x4's.  

I should hope so!  ;D The thing weighs about 650 lbs; it was a bear to move around before I added the wheels. For moving it around I have smaller, 7" wheels on the back that I remove before firing, since most of the recoil ends up on the 3/4" rear axle. That channel iron is actually 2 pieces of C channel welded back to back with the 3/8" sides in between.

I don't worry about standing too close, since the breech plug alone weighs 95 lbs and is heat shrunk into the barrel and then plug welded, seam welded and then the 3" trunnion is welded on top of all that. Never mind the sleeve that's heat shrunk over the lower barrel. I'm not saying that I couldn't blow it up but I'd have to really abuse it, which I don't.

I'm going to inspect and repaint it this spring. Acme and Coyote theme!  ;D

Great looking BB mortar. Do you have any more pictures that are close up shots of the cannon. It looks really well made.
Logged

Offline little seacoast

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (4)
  • A Real Regular
  • *****
  • Posts: 573
  • Gender: Male
  • Let them get just a little closer...
Re: New picture of my bowling ball mortar
« Reply #6 on: December 31, 2010, 01:45:41 AM »
That is some mortar and a GREAT picture!  Now I know what  I want next Christmas.
Logged
America has no native criminal class except Congress.   Sam Clemens

Offline Cat Whisperer

  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7493
  • Gender: Male
  • Pulaski Coehorn Works
Re: New picture of my bowling ball mortar
« Reply #7 on: December 31, 2010, 02:26:43 AM »
Ooooo Oooooo Ooooo !

A Wiley E. big-game getting mortar!

Goooooood choice!

 ;D


I hope you fare better than him!   ;)


I can see the BB flying through the air with the Road Runner calmly standing on it now ....
Logged
Tim K                 www.GBOCANNONS.COM
Cat Whisperer
Chief of Smoke, Pulaski Coehorn Works & Winery
U.S.Army Retired
N 37.05224  W 80.78133 (front door +/- 15 feet)

Offline NinjaToes

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 72
  • Gender: Male
Re: New picture of my bowling ball mortar
« Reply #8 on: December 31, 2010, 04:01:51 AM »
awesome shot thanks for sharing it  ;D
Logged
Some people are like a Slinky...

Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.

Offline Double D

  • Trade Count: (3)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 12608
  • SAMCC cannon by Brooks-USA
    • South African Miniature Cannon Club
Re: New picture of my bowling ball mortar
« Reply #9 on: December 31, 2010, 05:07:53 AM »
That is a great shot.  I have been wanting to try some long exposure evening photos my self.  Horizontal format preferred on the calendar but not required.  A shot like this surrounded by a lot of white on the calendar would look good...submit it!  Makes a great avatar.

Have you considered using a setup like the  Brits used on their 8 inch Mortar traveling carriage to remove the front wheels?



The mortar and base is mounted on wheels.  Position the mortar then using the horse pole tip the mortar up on its muzzle which lifts the wheels of the ground.  Remove the wheels and use the pole to lower the mortar.  Assemble in reverse order.

Logged

Offline Cannoneer

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3950
Re: New picture of my bowling ball mortar
« Reply #10 on: December 31, 2010, 07:21:20 AM »
Very good, Webleys! Both you and Spuddy have got some friends that are raising the bar on photographic artistry here.
Logged
RIP John. While on vacation July 4th 2013 in northern Wisconsin, he was ATVing with family and pulled ahead of everyone and took off at break-neck speed without a helmet. He lost control.....hit a tree....and the tree won.  He died instantly.

The one thing that you can almost always rely on research leading to, is more research.

Offline Webleys

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 37
Re: New picture of my bowling ball mortar
« Reply #11 on: December 31, 2010, 01:34:16 PM »
I'll have to look for some better closeups of the mortar. It was built by Bill McKenna at http://bigshotsofidaho.com/

These Aussie angle finders show up on Ebay once in a while.
Logged

Offline Webleys

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 37
Re: New picture of my bowling ball mortar
« Reply #12 on: December 31, 2010, 01:40:01 PM »
These pictures are off of Bill's site. When I went out to pick up this BB mortar I ended up with the Beer Can one too since it was so pretty! (The girl didn't come with it!  :'( )




(Mod: Family website, kitties always allowed,  Kitty well maybe not her.  Picture changed)
Logged

Offline Webleys

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 37
Re: New picture of my bowling ball mortar
« Reply #13 on: December 31, 2010, 01:52:54 PM »
Here is one with the wheels on it. I just have a set screwed collar holding the rear axle on, so a quick twist with an Allan wrench removes the wheels and axle when it's in position. The weight distribution is such that I can just pick up the rear and set it on it's muzzle to remove the rear wheels.

It does look Acme/Coyote with the wheels though!  ;D
Logged

Offline Victor3

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (22)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4241
Re: New picture of my bowling ball mortar
« Reply #14 on: December 31, 2010, 06:45:25 PM »
 That's one of the best pics I've ever seen here.

 In the other one, is kitty about to launch a hairball? Looks like she's assuming the position.

 ;D
Logged
"It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly, one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts."

Sherlock Holmes

Offline dan610324

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2413
  • Gender: Male
  • bronze cannons and copper stills ;-))
    • dont have
Re: New picture of my bowling ball mortar
« Reply #15 on: January 01, 2011, 01:07:33 AM »
the other picture was better  ;-)
Logged
Dan Pettersson
a swedish cannon maniac
interested in early bronze guns

better safe than sorry

Offline Cat Whisperer

  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7493
  • Gender: Male
  • Pulaski Coehorn Works
Re: New picture of my bowling ball mortar
« Reply #16 on: January 01, 2011, 01:37:47 AM »
Quote from: Victor3 on December 31, 2010, 06:45:25 PM
...
 In the other one, is kitty about to launch a hairball? Looks like she's assuming the position.
 ;D

Front shoulders aren't low enough.  (At least mine are a lot lower when I cough up one.)  ;D
Logged
Tim K                 www.GBOCANNONS.COM
Cat Whisperer
Chief of Smoke, Pulaski Coehorn Works & Winery
U.S.Army Retired
N 37.05224  W 80.78133 (front door +/- 15 feet)

Offline Terry C.

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1215
  • Gender: Male
  • I see what you did there...
Re: New picture of my bowling ball mortar
« Reply #17 on: January 01, 2011, 04:15:25 AM »
Great photo!

I'm a big fan of Oleg Volk's work.

(Nudge, nudge, wink, wink, say no more...)  :) :D ;D
Logged

Offline Terry C.

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1215
  • Gender: Male
  • I see what you did there...
Re: New picture of my bowling ball mortar
« Reply #18 on: January 01, 2011, 04:19:14 AM »
Quote from: Cat Whisperer on January 01, 2011, 01:37:47 AM
Quote from: Victor3 on December 31, 2010, 06:45:25 PM
...
 In the other one, is kitty about to launch a hairball? Looks like she's assuming the position.
 ;D

Front shoulders aren't low enough.  (At least mine are a lot lower when I cough up one.)  ;D

Lucy sez...

Logged

Offline Ex 49'er

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (8)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1975
  • Gender: Male
Re: New picture of my bowling ball mortar
« Reply #19 on: January 01, 2011, 05:58:09 AM »
Quote from: Webleys on December 31, 2010, 01:34:16 PM
These Aussie angle finders show up on Ebay once in a while.

When we had BP shoots here in northern Kalifornia there were a couple of mortar shooters that used those Aussie Clinos. They are great for repeat shots and are great looking.
Logged
When you're walking on eggs; don't hop!!

Offline JeffG

  • Trade Count: (5)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1493
  • Gender: Male
Re: New picture of my bowling ball mortar
« Reply #20 on: January 02, 2011, 09:29:01 AM »
VERY NICE!! Congrats on the Kewpie!! :o
Logged
Young guys should hang out with old guys; old guys know stuff

Offline Webleys

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 37
Re: New picture of my bowling ball mortar
« Reply #21 on: January 07, 2011, 03:47:07 PM »
YouTube video compilation from Oleg Volk on the BB Mortar last week...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCXYKp3Dn5g&feature=player_embedded
Logged

Offline Double D

  • Trade Count: (3)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 12608
  • SAMCC cannon by Brooks-USA
    • South African Miniature Cannon Club
Re: New picture of my bowling ball mortar
« Reply #22 on: January 07, 2011, 04:18:25 PM »
Neat!!!!
Logged

Offline Winger Ed.

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 80
  • Gender: Male
Re: New picture of my bowling ball mortar
« Reply #23 on: January 08, 2011, 11:57:06 PM »
Quote from: Webleys on December 29, 2010, 08:02:49 PM
Had a great shoot yesterday.
Dude,
That is so darn cool,,,
Logged
"Gone are the days of wooden ships, and Iron men.
I doubt we shall ever see their likes again".
Unknown US Coast Guard Commander on the upper US East Coast.  Circa 1920

In our modern & enlightened times:
The only thing the Meek will inherit- is a Berqa.

Offline Ex 49'er

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (8)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1975
  • Gender: Male
Re: New picture of my bowling ball mortar
« Reply #24 on: January 09, 2011, 07:04:44 PM »
Great little video. Thankyou for sharing!
Logged
When you're walking on eggs; don't hop!!

Offline Savage .250

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1714
Re: New picture of my bowling ball mortar
« Reply #25 on: January 10, 2011, 04:30:03 AM »
I`m a little late to the dance but you captured everything !  Perfect.   :)
Logged
" The best part of the hunt is not the harvest but in the experience."

Offline Cannoneer

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3950
Re: New picture of my bowling ball mortar
« Reply #26 on: January 10, 2011, 07:59:26 AM »
I like the shot that starts at around 0.22, and tracks the BB as it gets smaller and smaller until it vanishes.
Logged
RIP John. While on vacation July 4th 2013 in northern Wisconsin, he was ATVing with family and pulled ahead of everyone and took off at break-neck speed without a helmet. He lost control.....hit a tree....and the tree won.  He died instantly.

The one thing that you can almost always rely on research leading to, is more research.

Offline RocklockI

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2747
  • Gender: Male
  • Morko and Me
Re: New picture of my bowling ball mortar
« Reply #27 on: January 11, 2011, 07:43:06 AM »
cool mortar ! congrats on the Kewpie ! 8)

Gary
Logged
"I've seen too much not to stay in touch , With a world full of love and luck, I got a big suspicion 'bout ammunition I never forget to duck" J.B.
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »