Author Topic: New Guy looking for Advice and Help (Read 1541 times)

phsarge · « **on:** November 30, 2011, 07:20:08 PM »

Hello All
New guy here from Montana. I am very interested in getting either a cannon or mortar to get started. My question where to start? I have black powder rifles and pistols and have been looking to get a cannon for some time. So what are everyones recomendations. I would like to start around 1 inch or larger. So any recomendations on where to get a barrel? Also where is a good place to get plans for a carriage. Lastly what else would you recommend that I should know or learn? Thanks in advance
Jeff

BoomLover · « **Reply #1 on:** November 30, 2011, 07:40:01 PM »

, Welcome to the Forum, phsarge! You came to the right place for answers to your questions....plus, check the stickies at the beginning of the page, check out our sponsors, you can find some very good cannon and carriage builders. How close are you to Cutbank? One of our Moderators is there... BoomLover

phsarge · « **Reply #2 on:** November 30, 2011, 08:03:45 PM »

I'm only 110 miles down highway 2 from Cutbank.

I've been looking and been thinking I may start with a mortar. One of the things I like are the golf ball cannons and mortars I am just worried about finding one that will hold up to zinc and lead as well.

As for carriages I would like to try and build one first. So any recommendations on books or prints would be appreciated.

I'll have to go through the stickies> Thanks Boom Lover.

Phsarge

GGaskill · « **Reply #3 on:** November 30, 2011, 09:07:14 PM »

One of the things I like are the golf ball cannons and mortars; I am just worried about finding one that will hold up to zinc and lead as well.

There is a wide variety of mortar styles that can be built. Most of the golf ball mortars are Coehorns which look pretty light duty although steel ones are surprisingly strong. But if you are looking for a more heavy duty barrel, try the Seacoast or Siege mortars of 8" and 10". They are of much heavier build and should give more confidence to a first time builder. Now they do take more steel so don't be surprised at that. Note that the drawing is combining two views; the trunnion is not X shaped.

This is based on an 10" mortar scaled to golf balls. It uses about 8 times as much steel as a golf ball Coehorn would.

Cannoneer · « **Reply #4 on:** November 30, 2011, 09:17:37 PM »

Welcome aboard, phsarge. Check our sponsors out, armorer77 and Dominic can build you a gb mortar that will meet your needs.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #5 on:** December 01, 2011, 12:30:01 AM »

phsarge -

WELCOME to the board. You're in good hands, DD will help you through the addiction.

Our sponsors are so because we WANT them to be - they turn out great producs, reasonable prices and they participate on the board and on the range(s) with us.

Double D · « **Reply #6 on:** December 01, 2011, 07:17:09 AM »

Be most glad to help you.

110 miles down HWY 2..which way...which "city" East you are close to but west Havre---Kremlin maybe?

West of Cut Bank West Glacier?

subdjoe · « **Reply #7 on:** December 01, 2011, 08:55:28 AM »

Don't do it! Run away. You won't stop with just one or two. It becomes an obsession.

Rayfan87 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 01, 2011, 10:22:56 AM »

Quote from: subdjoe on December 01, 2011, 08:55:28 AM

Don't do it! Run away. You won't stop with just one or two. It becomes an obsession.

You say that like it's a bad thing. Besides, even though its more because of money than self control, I started this hobby over a year ago and only have five.

Vrod · « **Reply #9 on:** December 01, 2011, 10:31:29 AM »

carmy53 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 01, 2011, 10:38:33 AM »

Quote from: Vrod on December 01, 2011, 10:31:29 AM

Building your own is definately fun. Here is a pic of a mortar that I just finished. Had a local machine shop cut the barrel. The rest I fabricated at home. Here is the plan that I used. Shoots golf balls about half a mile. Big BOOM.

Vrod, that is a nice mortar but the plans don't seem to make sense. At the bottom it says 1 1/4" round stock but the width at the muzzle says 3". Also, it shows a 1" powder chamber with 1 1/2" walls which adds up to 4".

jamesfrom180 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 01, 2011, 10:39:14 AM »

Welcome! New guy also. Alot of helpful and useful information here. Don't look at the K.I.S.S. mortar threads. This hobby is easily passed on took a friend with me to a shoot and he is now hooked.

IvarForkbeard · « **Reply #12 on:** December 01, 2011, 12:18:04 PM »

You say that like it's a bad thing. Besides, even though its more because of money than self control, I started this hobby over a year ago and only have five.

I started three years ago, and for two and a half I had one cannon, then I figured out "Hey, I have access to a lathe" and now I have seven.

Zulu · « **Reply #13 on:** December 01, 2011, 12:28:40 PM »

Quote from: Vrod on December 01, 2011, 10:31:29 AM

Building your own is definately fun. Here is a pic of a mortar that I just finished. Had a local machine shop cut the barrel. The rest I fabricated at home. Here is the plan that I used. Shoots golf balls about half a mile. Big BOOM.

Where are these pictures? I don't see anything.
Zulu

BoomLover · « **Reply #14 on:** December 01, 2011, 01:13:07 PM »

I'm with Zulu....didn't see any pics or links to them either....re-post? BoomLover

Vrod · « **Reply #15 on:** December 01, 2011, 01:55:39 PM »

Welcome. I had a local machine shop mill one to my specs. Built the rest of it at home.

Vrod · « **Reply #16 on:** December 01, 2011, 01:57:21 PM »

Here are the specs of my barrel. Hope they give you some ideas. Makes one hell of a BIG BOOM.

buzz36 · « **Reply #17 on:** December 01, 2011, 03:04:54 PM »

PHsarge Welcome like you pretty new hear as well but this forum is great help and advice
Im starting to biuld my second cannon golf ball bore going up for 1" bore on my first I like to go bigger but size and weight are big factors for me and feel golf ball bore is about rightsince i shot my first cannon year and half ago i've sold most of my rifles

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #18 on:** December 01, 2011, 03:17:32 PM »

Vrod -

WELCOME to the board! Good design. How 'bout a pix or two of smoke and flame!

Vrod · « **Reply #19 on:** December 01, 2011, 03:21:05 PM »

I will be running some powder through it this weekend and will post the pics (video as well).

carmy53 · « **Reply #20 on:** December 01, 2011, 03:41:44 PM »

Vrod,
Your specs are much better but they still say the mortar is made from 1 1/4" stock when it is obviously 3".

Double D · « **Reply #21 on:** December 01, 2011, 03:55:29 PM »

Sorry what I see is a trunnion that is made from 1 1/4 round stock. I'm not sure what Vrod used to make he drawing and it isn't a standard drafting program, but it conveys the message even if not drawn to convention...good use of material at hand-or program in this case!

carmy53 · « **Reply #22 on:** December 01, 2011, 03:57:53 PM »

Quote from: Double D on December 01, 2011, 03:55:29 PM

Sorry what I see is a trunnion that is made from 1 1/4 round stock. I'm not sure what Vrod used to make he drawing and it isn't a standard drafting program, but it conveys the message even if not drawn to convention...good use of material at hand-or program in this case!

Now I see it! My mistake. Sorry Vrod.

Vrod · « **Reply #23 on:** December 01, 2011, 04:47:32 PM »

No problem. Power Point is the best program I have to work with on the computor.

Double D · « **Reply #24 on:** December 01, 2011, 05:32:21 PM »

I use Power point for Graphics also. Paint work fairly simpley also.

phsarge · « **Reply #25 on:** December 01, 2011, 06:24:50 PM »

Pretty close on the Kremlin Double D. I am actually in Gildford right next store to it.

So what would be better start with a 1 inch or a Golf Ball bore?

Double D · « **Reply #26 on:** December 01, 2011, 06:37:37 PM »

Quote from: phsarge on December 01, 2011, 06:24:50 PM

Pretty close on the Kremlin Double D. I am actually in Gildford right next store to it.

So what would be better start with a 1 inch or a Golf Ball bore?

I was just through Gildford about 5 hours ago on the way home from Havre.

Go for Golf ball. It's a good size to start with. Do you have a lathe?

phsarge · « **Reply #27 on:** December 01, 2011, 07:00:52 PM »

I was down in Great Falls.

I have access to one just can't do anything with it. It's my neighbors and I have been learning how to use it chambering and threading gunbarrels and such but that has been the extent of it so far. Been watching craigslist and looking for one for my own use. So no real access unless I can get him interested in working on it with me as he is going to want to be there when ever I want to try and do work. I really need to get one though. That's why I have been looking at getting a predone barrel for my first one.

Double D · « **Reply #28 on:** December 01, 2011, 07:03:24 PM »

Well check out our sponsors they will provide you with what you need.

kaboom · « **Reply #29 on:** December 02, 2011, 02:40:18 AM »

I am also new to this site and I am looking for a mortar that will shoot bowling balls. I have looked at the sponser links and also read a lot of threads and still wondering which way to go. I would like to find something that does not use a ton of powder. Like maby 300 grains or so. Is this practical? I am also interested in a soda can size cannon. Any help with advise and a direction to go will be greatly apreciated. Thanks in advance...