Author Topic: Newby playing around with first cannon  (Read 992 times)

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Offline DaveSB

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Newby playing around with first cannon
« on: July 01, 2011, 11:27:36 AM »
I'm building my first two cannons at the same time. One as a smaller version of the other. The small barrel is complete, a friend is building the carriage from Black Walnut and making brass hardware. It has a .750 bore and is 13.5 inches in length. The larger is a 40mm and measures 48.75 inches.

Offline DaveSB

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Re: Newby playing around with first cannon
« Reply #1 on: July 01, 2011, 11:30:51 AM »
few more pics

Offline BoomLover

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Re: Newby playing around with first cannon
« Reply #2 on: July 01, 2011, 03:37:59 PM »
Looking forward to that Black Walnut Carriage! Welcome to the Forum! BoomLover
"Beware the Enemy With-in, for these are perilous times! Those who promise to protect and defend our Constitution, but do neither, should be evicted from public office in disgrace!

Offline DaveSB

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Re: Newby playing around with first cannon
« Reply #3 on: July 03, 2011, 07:36:39 AM »
Tossed a quicky carriage stand together so I could shoot it on the 4th. Sounds great!!

Offline Double D

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Re: Newby playing around with first cannon
« Reply #4 on: July 03, 2011, 10:24:07 AM »
Tossed a quicky carriage stand together so I could shoot it on the 4th. Sounds great!!

Tossing a quick carriage together the day be the 4th is an understandable requisite.  :)

Offline subdjoe

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Re: Newby playing around with first cannon
« Reply #5 on: July 03, 2011, 05:38:26 PM »
Tossed a quicky carriage stand together so I could shoot it on the 4th. Sounds great!!

WIMP!  You could hand hold that!   ;)
Your ob't & etc,
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Offline oltom

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Re: Newby playing around with first cannon
« Reply #6 on: July 04, 2011, 01:35:46 AM »
dave:
Looks as if the rifled barrel has a eand that is just welded on........... :o :P
looks as if THAT would be a 'one shot' cannon........... :P ??? :o
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Offline Cat Whisperer

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Re: Newby playing around with first cannon
« Reply #7 on: July 04, 2011, 02:17:40 AM »
dave:
Looks as if the rifled barrel has a eand that is just welded on........... :o :P
looks as if THAT would be a 'one shot' cannon........... :P ??? :o

Look where the vent is.  Right much forward, the welds apparent are well back from the powder chamber.  But a sketch of the design would be good.

Your concern is valid - these things go boom.

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Offline DaveSB

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Re: Newby playing around with first cannon
« Reply #8 on: July 04, 2011, 06:24:50 AM »
The larger barrel has a .0025 press fit (liquid nitrogen frozen to ease pressing), 3" long piece of 4140 solid bar with a concave front to act as a powder chamber. It has a .500 x .500 notch around the circumference at the other end that was professionally welded by a friend (certified). Followed by a piece of 1" thick piece of 4140 plate (heat treated) that was then welded onto the rear of the barrel by the same friend as it was slowly spinning in a lathe for a continuous bead.

I followed this idea from another member on this forum, I believe I'll be alright. I followed the same for the smaller cannon. I appreciate the concern and comments. Any further opinion is also greatly welcomed.

Offline keith44

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Re: Newby playing around with first cannon
« Reply #9 on: July 04, 2011, 06:41:22 AM »
the continuous bead welded in a lathe is a good idea, as long as you just surface weld.  In other words you are not building up with welds on top of welds.  There is a couple techniques that work but you do not mention them.  Also all that welding in the same area can and probably did harden that area around the welds.  Perhaps a bit of "stress relief" would be a good idea??

In the event you decide to fire the large barrel, remember the safest place to stand seems to be about 45 degrees behind and beside the breech end (fuse end).  May be ok as is, but I'd watch closely and consider annealing the welded areas.

Oh GREAT WORK!! It looks great and will have a great "voice"
keep em talkin' while I reload
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Offline DaveSB

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Re: Newby playing around with first cannon
« Reply #10 on: July 04, 2011, 11:57:20 AM »
Ok, I'll leave it with the heat treating company we use. Thanks for the advice. I'll also be sure to stand around a corner or keep something between myself and it the first few rounds.

Offline DaveSB

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Offline dittles

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Re: Newby playing around with first cannon
« Reply #12 on: July 05, 2011, 12:47:27 PM »
Wait for it,,, wait for it,,, wait for it,,,,, :o .  It was worth the wait! :)

Offline keith44

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Re: Newby playing around with first cannon
« Reply #13 on: July 05, 2011, 09:59:13 PM »
first time is a little unnerving aint it.   ;)
 
Told ya she'd have a great voice.
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Offline Cat Whisperer

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Re: Newby playing around with first cannon
« Reply #14 on: July 06, 2011, 02:59:23 AM »
Good job!
 
"certified welder" is a key phrase that I respect!
 
 
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Offline DaveSB

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Re: Newby playing around with first cannon
« Reply #15 on: July 06, 2011, 03:38:17 AM »
It def. made me a bit nervous, on top of having no idea on burn time of the fuse. I'm convinced my neighbors hate me, haha.
 
cat whisperer: It helps having friends with skills, especially since he didn't charge me to do it. I can weld, but I didn't want to leave anything to chance since black powder is new to me.
 
Thanks for the accolades gents!!

Offline keith44

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Re: Newby playing around with first cannon
« Reply #16 on: July 06, 2011, 08:29:58 AM »
It def. made me a bit nervous, on top of having no idea on burn time of the fuse. I'm convinced my neighbors hate me, haha.
 
... I didn't want to leave anything to chance since black powder is new to me.
 
Thanks for the accolades gents!!

Real black powder is to be respected, but is perfectly safe when used correctly, and intelligently.  Despite all the hype to the contrary it cleans up with water.  It is classified as an explosive (low order)  but does have a "burn rate" that is controlled by kernel size and to some extent shape.  I have read and been told many times about two methods for loading black powder.  In small cannons either refer to the load chart in the stickies, or use the 1 grain per caliber number (as a max load). So a 50 cal would have a max load of 50 grains.  With rifles in small bore the load range is usually 1/2 grain to 1 grain per caliber number.  So my .32 flintlock is to be loaded with 16 - 32 grains 3F and a patched roundball.  While my .54 x .54 Kodiak being larger bore is loaded with a range of 1 to 2 grains per caliber number.  54 to 108 grains of powder.  The recommended load data for both rifles lists greater charges as max loads, but accuracy comes in with the .32 at 25 grains, and 90 grains in the .54.  In my .69 cal "Ironsides" model mini cannon Traditions lists a load range (with roundball) of 45 to 85 grains.  The main thing to remember is to not to try to over load the barrel, there is no need for all the stress.  Trust me, you can make plenty of noise with mid-level and moderate loads.
 
Fuse is cheap every time you buy a new length, cut a 1' piece and time the burn rate.
 
Have fun, and remember once you go black, you never go back  ::) ;D ::)
keep em talkin' while I reload
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