Author Topic: Verbruggen carriage (Read 5703 times)

Zulu · « **on:** April 27, 2011, 09:56:32 AM »

I have been working on a carriage for a fellow GBO member (jer2349) that recently purchased a Verbruggen barrel from South Bend Replicas. I do not have the barrel in my possesion but with very careful measurements taken on his end, I am nearing completion.
It is a very nice barrel. 200 lbs. 37" long, with a 2 1/4" bore.

First. I drew and cut out my scale template.

Then started with a 12' long X 12" wide X 2" thick red oak board.

Cut out the side cheeks. jer 2349 wanted steel wheels with bearings for easy rolling and had these sent to me.

I needed to turn some mock trunnions so I could get everything to fit right.

Front transom and axle housings for 3/4" round bar.

More pics in a minute
Zulu

Zulu · « **Reply #1 on:** April 27, 2011, 10:11:44 AM »

A free floating, wedge leveling platform with a shim to raise the wedge even higher if necessary to shoot down. This design came from Round Shot and Rammers.

Axle housing with axle screwed in place, then glued and screwed together. Holes were filled with oak dowel.

jer2349 wanted brass trimmings so I cut and polished these.

At this point, everything is disassembled, stained, and working on three coats of laquer.
Ggaskill helped me by machining the cap square rounds and also machining slots in the cap square flats. I sized them and welded.
I expect to have all back together by this weekend and will post final pictures of the carriage. You will have to wait to see the barrel mounted when jer2349 gets the carriage in his possesion.
Zulu

Zulu · « **Reply #2 on:** April 27, 2011, 10:17:34 AM »

Carriage is tapered front to back with a 3 degree angle. All holes through the cheeks are drilled at 3 degrees as well as the trunnion holes. The axle housings where they mate to the side cheeks also had to be cut 3 degrees.
It has been a fun project!

Zulu

RocklockI · « **Reply #3 on:** April 27, 2011, 10:28:29 AM »

Thats going to be a very nice tube /carriage combo ! That barrel style has long been a favorite .

Nice work on the brass .

Gary

Double D · « **Reply #4 on:** April 27, 2011, 10:31:07 AM »

What color will the carriage be?

Zulu · « **Reply #5 on:** April 27, 2011, 11:00:09 AM »

Quote from: Double D on April 27, 2011, 10:31:07 AM

What color will the carriage be?

University of Texas Longhorn burnt orange!

Zulu

Double D · « **Reply #6 on:** April 27, 2011, 12:56:46 PM »

That would be neat!!!!

JeffG · « **Reply #7 on:** April 27, 2011, 01:22:18 PM »

As usual, Zulu....world class stuff!!

jer2349 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 27, 2011, 02:32:19 PM »

I was a remodeling contractor for 30 years. Due to a fall from a roof line, I now have mobility in my left arm only. I would have built this carriage myself if I were just a bit more physically able. Working hand in hand with Zulu through this entire project has been more than a treat. I took great pride in some cabinets etc I have fabricated over time. Nearing midpoint of this project I knew I was out classed. His attention to detail exceeded mine no doubt. Zulu is a true craftsman indeed and now a friend as well. I will post completion pictures when the barrel & wheels have been powder coated.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #9 on:** April 27, 2011, 02:48:50 PM »

Good show Jer -

It's your type of attitude that get's you through life!

Looking forward to seeing the pix too.

rampa room artillery · « **Reply #10 on:** April 27, 2011, 03:58:24 PM »

that looks great, I would have to say you are the best wood worker on this site. i love the brass fittings.

rick bryan

Cannoneer · « **Reply #11 on:** April 27, 2011, 07:38:18 PM »

You already know what I think of your skills, and you also know why I can't type it on the screen for you to see. If only you didn't have that dangerous expanding head condition, I'd be able to sing your praises from the highest mountain top.

Zulu · « **Reply #12 on:** April 28, 2011, 01:26:51 PM »

Thanks for the comments. Save judging until it's finished.

My secret to good woodworking is, I keep my tolerances very tight, I sand till I think it's finished, then I sand again, and most importantly, I am willing to put in the hours.
It takes a lot of time to make something look good. It takes a lot of practise to hide your mistakes, because all projects have them.

If they are too major, you start over.
Final coat of laquer just went on. Final assembly on Saturday morning.
I have never done a carriage that didn't need fine tuning at the very last so I am expecting that.

Zulu Big Head

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #13 on:** April 28, 2011, 02:47:14 PM »

I've often said that a PROFESSIONAL is one who makes it look like no mistakes ever happened.

Double D · « **Reply #14 on:** April 28, 2011, 02:58:22 PM »

A professional can sell his mistakes as a custom feature.

Cannoneer · « **Reply #15 on:** April 29, 2011, 02:26:58 AM »

Excellence is in the details. Give attention to the details and excellence will come. ~ Perry Paxton

I have no idea who Perry Paxton is, but I like the quote; it's obvious that Zulu gives considerable attention to the details.

Zulu; how thick is the brass plate that you used?

Zulu · « **Reply #16 on:** April 29, 2011, 03:14:11 AM »

Quote from: Cannoneer on April 29, 2011, 02:26:58 AM

Excellence is in the details. Give attention to the details and excellence will come. ~ Perry Paxton

I have no idea who Perry Paxton is, but I like the quote; it's obvious that Zulu gives considerable attention to the details.

Zulu; how thick is the brass plate that you used?

Cannoneer,
The brass plate on the sides came from 2" X 5/16" flat bar. The pieces on the steps came from 1 1/2" X 3/16" flat bar. I wanted a "beefy" look to this carriage. I really like the Verbruggen tube and think it will display nicely, as well as fire, on this carriage.
I should have finished pictures on here by Saturday afternoon.
Zulu

Zulu · « **Reply #17 on:** April 29, 2011, 08:16:42 AM »

Here is the tampion I made for the Verbruggen.
Zulu

Cannoneer · « **Reply #18 on:** April 29, 2011, 11:09:27 AM »

I like the looks of your tompion, Zulu; I think that I'll be borrowing this design for my 16½'' brass naval gun.

Zulu · « **Reply #19 on:** April 29, 2011, 01:06:12 PM »

Quote from: Cannoneer on April 29, 2011, 11:09:27 AM

I like the looks of your tompion, Zulu; I think that I'll be borrowing this design for my 16½'' brass naval gun.

Cannoneer,
Are you a wood turner? What kind of lathe do you have?
Zulu

Cannoneer · « **Reply #20 on:** April 29, 2011, 02:26:00 PM »

No lathe Zulu, I have to cut it and then shape the wood with rasps, files and finish it by sanding.

I fashioned the Bubinga handle for this quoin with a wood carving knife, this was pretty easy because it's a simple shape.

Zulu · « **Reply #21 on:** April 30, 2011, 06:11:43 AM »

Got it finished!
Now, I only hope the barrel fits.

Zulu

This carriage weighs about 80 lbs. and with the bearings in the wheels, will roll around with a push from your little finger.
I forgot the powder can. $:-\$ It is 26" long, 16" tall, and 22" wide at the rear axle.
In my excitement to assemble it, I also forgot to take an exploded view picture, and I had fullest intentions of doing so.

I am also anxious to see pictures of the barrel mounted.
Zulu

Max Caliber · « **Reply #22 on:** April 30, 2011, 06:36:13 AM »

Very, very nice work as usual Zulu. That was a bold move on your part, building a carriage without the barrel in hand.

dominick · « **Reply #23 on:** April 30, 2011, 06:44:11 AM »

WOW! Zulu, very nice work!

Zulu · « **Reply #24 on:** April 30, 2011, 09:16:31 AM »

Quote from: Max Caliber on April 30, 2011, 06:36:13 AM

Very, very nice work as usual Zulu. That was a bold move on your part, building a carriage without the barrel in hand.

Max,
I was worried about not having the barrel the whole time. I'm still worried!
At 200 lbs. it was not practical to ship it back and forth so I decided to try it without having it in my hands.
That's one of the reasons I made the floating wedge platform. With proper shims, I'm sure it could be made to work properly. I think I'm pretty close now. The main thing is that the barrel has to be able to shoot level.

dominick,
Thanks!
Zulu

Max Caliber · « **Reply #25 on:** April 30, 2011, 12:34:46 PM »

Zulu, I have the utmost confidence that every thing will work just fine. Try not to loose any sleep thinking about the front of the rimbases not fitting between the cap squares

--- Just kidding.

Max

Zulu · « **Reply #26 on:** April 30, 2011, 12:57:36 PM »

Quote from: Max Caliber on April 30, 2011, 12:34:46 PM

Zulu, I have the utmost confidence that every thing will work just fine. Try not to loose any sleep thinking about the front of the rimbases not fitting between the cap squares --- Just kidding.

Max

I'm certain I'm safe there. I made this mock trunnion exactly to size.
Zulu

Cannoneer · « **Reply #27 on:** May 01, 2011, 12:40:41 AM »

Zulu,
Well, we're just going to have to risk the danger of your head possibly inflating to unheard of proportions, because I can no longer contain my enthusiasm; the finished carriage is nothing short of superb!

This is the 19th century tompion I was talking about (or what remains of it).

Photo by Maritime & Nautical Antiques

Zulu · « **Reply #28 on:** May 04, 2011, 11:46:30 AM »

The carriage shipped today!
I expect jer2349 to get it around the first of next week.
Then we will see pictures of the barrel mounted and I hope some live fire shots when he gets the chance.
Zulu

RocklockI · « **Reply #29 on:** May 04, 2011, 07:45:06 PM »

Michael that is my favorite ! It looks fit for a King