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Author Topic: First Time Cannon Build  (Read 746 times)

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Offline GLS

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First Time Cannon Build
« on: October 17, 2011, 09:04:00 AM »
I decided to try and build my first cannon.  I then decided to try a 12th century cannon after seeing these pictures.
 

 
Since I only have a micro lathe it could not be large. The first cannon was constructed from brass and the barrel is only 1 inch long.  The bore is one eighth inch diameter with the vent hole made with a number 57 drill, (0.043 inch).   Could not stop and turned five more barrels.  Just finished polishing and starting to apply patina in the picture.
 

 
I then turned a barrel from steel 3.2 inches long and a 0.44 bore. This barrel I made with a powder chamber .25 by .75 inch. The carriages are of bass wood and then I patina the barrels to look aged.  All together they look like a sow and her piglets.
 

 
I tested them to see if they would fire and results were better than I expected.  I went with round shot instead of arrows.
The piglet was loaded with 0.7 grain of 4f and primed with the same.  I then placed a small wad of paper followed by a small ball bearing.  Firing was with a heated wire.
The sow was loaded with 8 grains of 3f and primed with 4f.  I then seated a .44 inch lead ball on the powder.  I think I can back off on the charge as it is obvious the recoil is a bit much.  It slid back about three feet.
 
Not a valid youtube URL
Truly enjoyed this project and look forward to my next undecided as of yet cannon project.
 
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Offline Cat Whisperer

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Re: First Time Cannon Build
« Reply #1 on: October 17, 2011, 09:25:53 AM »
Impressive, to say the least.

Nice to see someone doing one of the really OLD one's.

 ;)
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Tim K                 www.GBOCANNONS.COM
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Offline seacoastartillery

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Re: First Time Cannon Build
« Reply #2 on: October 17, 2011, 02:02:40 PM »
     I love it, GLS!  You did such a nice job, we took that off our list of future projects.  Your patination looks great.  Did you use cupric nitrate solution?  With a full size one you might be able to blow All the leaves off of your deck with one shot!   ;D ;D

Tracy and Mike
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Smokin' my pipe on the mountings, sniffin' the mornin'-cool,
I walks in my old brown gaiters along o' my old brown mule,
With seventy gunners be'ind me, an' never a beggar forgets
It's only the pick of the Army that handles the dear little pets - 'Tss! 'Tss!

From the poem  Screw-Guns  by Rudyard Kipling

Offline RocklockI

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Re: First Time Cannon Build
« Reply #3 on: October 17, 2011, 02:51:17 PM »
Yes very nice ! I like the old ones too  8) !
Some arrowage shooting might be fun too .
Gary
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"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.

Offline Ex 49'er

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Re: First Time Cannon Build
« Reply #4 on: October 17, 2011, 05:16:27 PM »
That's a real nice family picture of mom and her kids. Nice job on the patina.
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Offline GLS

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Re: First Time Cannon Build
« Reply #5 on: October 18, 2011, 07:01:26 AM »
Thanks for the encouragment.  The Patina for the brass is a cupric nitrate formula I got from this book I purchased long ago. http://www.amazon.com/Colouring-Bronzing-Patination-Metals/dp/0823007626/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1318953144&sr=1-1
The steel is a blend of browning and other stuff.
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Offline dominick

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Re: First Time Cannon Build
« Reply #6 on: October 18, 2011, 02:55:02 PM »
GLS,  Nice job on the build and the video.  Dom
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Offline jamesbeat

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Re: First Time Cannon Build
« Reply #7 on: October 19, 2011, 06:19:31 AM »
That is extremely cool, I've seen these cannon in pictures so many times, but seeing one in a photo really made them 'real' for me.
Have you thought about making an arrow type projectile just for the sake of doing it?
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He reached out and stroked shiny barrel. "Manuel, once there was a man who held a political make-work job like so many here in this Directorate, shining brass cannon around a courthouse."

   "Why would courthouse have cannon?"

   "Never mind. He did this for years. It fed him and let him save a bit, but he was not getting ahead in the world. So one day he quit his job, drew out his savings, bought a brass cannon--and went into business for himself."

The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein
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