Hi Kbar,
Did you come with a solution yet?
Wondering how deep you are going with the saddle.
If its shallow you could just grind it out with a bucket of water close by
for the multiple cooling steps.
If its going to be welded on that would work.
Obviously, if it going to bolted to the cannon and/or will be visible.
That would just not be pretty.
I bought a phase 2 tool post today for the lathe.
Works good. Not as good quality as an Aloris, but "OK"
Almost ready to make something