Author Topic: New Project / My Odessey (Read 3101 times)

armorer77 · « **on:** May 19, 2011, 02:31:11 PM »

Since I got laid off today and have all back orders up to date I finally got started on a Howitzer to test the limits of my machines and myself . This will be a 1841 style Seige Howitzer . Not to scale but to test the limits . This will be Can bore . The blank was 5.5" 1020 HRS . Starting weight 148 lbs. These photos are after 4 hrs on the lathe .

I am adjusting some dimentions to fit my machines . Stay tuned . Armorer77

Zulu · « **Reply #1 on:** May 19, 2011, 02:59:34 PM »

Laid off? $:-\$
Been there done that.

Better times ahead.

Zulu

armorer77 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 19, 2011, 03:02:30 PM »

For a little while , I can use the break .

RocklockI · « **Reply #3 on:** May 19, 2011, 03:24:41 PM »

Lemon aid from lemons

, I been there done that ,no fun .

armorer77 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 21, 2011, 01:20:32 AM »

Second day.

5.5 hrs. Cascabel contuored and ready to part off

7 hrs. Taper cut on barrel , ready for polish .

Putting in the pilot hole 17" deep .

Finished. Close to 8 hrs here .

Starting to open up the bore .

Total tine so far , 12 hrs . Armorer77

Cannoneer · « **Reply #5 on:** May 21, 2011, 10:38:51 AM »

Lookin' good, armorer! This is what you're going for, right.

armorer77 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 21, 2011, 12:24:53 PM »

That is the style , but not to scale .

BoomLover · « **Reply #7 on:** May 21, 2011, 03:20:04 PM »

Bummer being laid off! But, your getting time to work on this project,

, so better times just might come soon! That one is looking real good! We will keep our fingers and toes crossed for you to get back to work soon, but in the mean time, your doing something you do enjoy....BoomLover

armorer77 · « **Reply #8 on:** June 01, 2011, 01:38:11 PM »

I got another hour in today .

In the mill . I can move it without the crane now .

little seacoast · « **Reply #9 on:** June 02, 2011, 03:17:33 AM »

Nice work sir. How much is it going to cost me to talk you out of that beauty?

armorer77 · « **Reply #10 on:** June 02, 2011, 11:12:44 PM »

I can't set a price until I complete one . Stay tuned .

armorer77 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 04, 2011, 03:55:36 AM »

I got back to the shop yesterday and made some progress .

Trunnion pockets cut so back in the lathe for the final bore . I should explain that a 2 stage bore is necessary because of my indexing fixture , it is made to hold inside a GB bore .

Setting up with a 2.5" bit with extension . 13.5" to go .

1 hr and 45 mins later .

The new boring bar , I still have to cut very slowly to avoid chatter .

Almost done .

The lines in the bore look bad , but you can't feel them .

Looks like a good fit .

The HMR quick weight loss plan . From 148 lbs to 83 lbs in 20 hrs . Monday I will make and attach the trunnions .

Zulu · « **Reply #12 on:** June 04, 2011, 04:10:38 AM »

armorer77,
Your toenails look great!

Zulu

dan610324 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 04, 2011, 05:26:38 AM »

yeah they changed color when he dropped the howie on them

gulfcoastblackpowder · « **Reply #14 on:** June 04, 2011, 05:37:56 AM »

Quote from: dan610324 on June 04, 2011, 05:26:38 AM

yeah they changed color when he dropped the howie on them

To which he yelped "hOwie!"

Looks great! I've always liked the look of these howitzers!

armorer77 · « **Reply #15 on:** June 04, 2011, 05:51:20 AM »

More out of work comedians .

Double D · « **Reply #16 on:** June 04, 2011, 06:40:29 AM »

Quote from: armorer77 on June 04, 2011, 05:51:20 AM

More out of work comedians .

Well at least they kept it on topic...

dittles · « **Reply #17 on:** June 04, 2011, 08:50:18 AM »

Is that color of polish O.S.H.A. approved?

Looking good, can't wait to see the finished product.

little seacoast · « **Reply #18 on:** June 04, 2011, 12:00:56 PM »

Now that we have some approximate dimensions, what is the scale of this gem?
I think the toes are way too snazzy to belong to a machinist, no cutting fluid or chips on them anywhere.

dominick · « **Reply #19 on:** June 04, 2011, 02:16:10 PM »

Looks great Ed. What size is the powder chamber?

armorer77 · « **Reply #20 on:** June 05, 2011, 02:58:24 AM »

This is around 1/3 scale . The object here was not to make a scale model , it was to see how big I could go on my machines . The lathe could handle a little more , but the mill is limited out .
The powder chamber was to be 1.5 x 3.5 however the only large bit I had that could reach the bottom of a 17" hole was 1.375 so it is 1.375" x 3.5" leaving a wall of 1.625" .

armorer77 · « **Reply #21 on:** June 06, 2011, 02:17:49 PM »

These are the final construction photos , until I build a base and get ready to fire .

This tube will be priced at $1100 . Thank you all , Armorer77

armorer77 · « **Reply #22 on:** July 29, 2011, 12:30:42 PM »

Back again . Here are the final photos before SMOKE & FIRE . The wheels are 6" x 2" that I had from a tear down . I have to wonder if they roll a bit too freely

Stay tuned , We shoot tomorrow

Armorer77

armorer77 · « **Reply #23 on:** July 29, 2011, 01:20:21 PM »

I forgot to mention , the finished weight is 142 lbs.

Double D · « **Reply #24 on:** July 29, 2011, 01:35:41 PM »

Just another pretty face, where is the smole and fire!!!

Nice cannon balls by the way...

armorer77 · « **Reply #25 on:** July 29, 2011, 01:40:30 PM »

Tomorrow at 1300 Douglas .

Double D · « **Reply #26 on:** July 29, 2011, 02:10:50 PM »

Quote from: armorer77 on July 29, 2011, 01:40:30 PM

Tomorrow at 1300 Douglas .

I was in the Marines, so you mean Mickey's big hand is on the 12 and little hand on the 1, right?

gunsonwheels · « **Reply #27 on:** July 29, 2011, 02:24:07 PM »

I like the torque arm inserted in the Morse Taper extension or adapter...

So does the manufacturer accept a 1 1/2" diameter MT drill bit as partial payment toward one of these to assist in bringing the powder chamber up to spec.? Are you going to offer the barrel by itself or with carriage or with both?

It doesn't appear to have sufferred any glitches from being the first-one-of. Your usual excellent quality work!!!

GOW/George

Ex 49'er · « **Reply #28 on:** July 29, 2011, 03:24:56 PM »

Quote from: Double D on July 29, 2011, 02:10:50 PM

Quote from: armorer77 on July 29, 2011, 01:40:30 PM
Tomorrow at 1300 Douglas .

I was in the Marines, so you mean Mickey's big hand is on the 12 and little hand on the 1, right?

How many bells iz 1300? Great looking Howie! I bet the UPS man would complain if he had to deliver that.

gunsonwheels · « **Reply #29 on:** July 29, 2011, 03:48:43 PM »

Ex 49'er:

Quote

I bet the UPS man would complain if he had to deliver that.

...around our neighborhood he/she would beg to come back when we were going to shoot it! Kind of like the law enforcement that responded to jer2349 when he was shooting his Verbruggen...

The thing about armorer77's stuff is it looks better in the flesh/iron than the pictures... can't say that about some folk's field pieces.