Author Topic: Wheels! (Read 2177 times)

Calamity Jane · « **on:** March 15, 2004, 04:04:27 AM »

$#%$$@$ ^@%$

I HATE it when a person promisses sommit 'n' then don't deliver!

Jist got off the phone with the feller who waz gonna make the 20" wheels fer me 1/3 scale 6 pounder. When I talked to 'im at Christmas, he said he had all the spokes make. When I talked to 'im taday, he said he hadn't started 'em yet, that he'd have 'em done "before the snow flys"! :evil: So I tolt him not to bother....

It's 2 weeks to the first gun show 'n' only 3 weeks 'til the cannon waz supposed ta start goin to Cowboy Actiuon matches 'n' I only got the steel wheels GRRRRRRRRRR

I looked at Hansen's 'n' they only got a 24" cannon wheel - a bit big - or a 20" light-weight wheel.

So now what do I do? Do I have a go at makin me own spoked wheels? Ain't never done it before 'n' don't know how good a job I could do.

Question (fer them of ya what's seen full sized cannons) - the rim is made in segments 'n' the plans show sommit bridging the segments. It this a metal plate, some kind of dowel, or what is it? It looks like some kind of inset to keep the segments aligned.

Double D · « **Reply #1 on:** March 15, 2004, 10:28:48 AM »

Although it's not that simple to make wheels it's not that hard either.

I made these wheels myself from William Green's plans.

They are dished.

Calamity, I have scanned in full size drawings and instructions on making wheels. The scans are too wide to post here.

Drop me an email and I will send the instructions.

Calamity Jane · « **Reply #2 on:** March 16, 2004, 02:09:52 AM »

Thanks fer the info Dave.

I'z gonna have a go at it. Gonna try the proper oval spokes with mortised ends. Me carpentry skills ain't great but maybe, if I take me time, build the right jigs, it might come out ok. I've got nuff white oak left to build a pair of wheels.

Randell · « **Reply #3 on:** March 16, 2004, 07:01:14 AM »

Try Holmes WheelCompany Holmes Ohio, Good work,quality

Double D · « **Reply #4 on:** March 16, 2004, 11:50:00 AM »

Holmes doesn't appear to have a website, but here is a profile.

http://biz.yahoo.com/ic/130/130489.html

Max Caliber · « **Reply #5 on:** March 16, 2004, 02:16:57 PM »

Calamity:

Civil war artillery wheels felloes were held in alignment by wrought iron dowels. Once a jig is worked up, this process is a good way to go. Later, when iron hubs were in common use and segmented felloes were still being used, one way to hold the felloes in alignment was by a wood key just like a Woodruff key. This is probably best for your wheels since the felloes are not weakened as much as with a metal dowel. A biscuit joiner would be ideal for cutting the slots and instead of a wood key you should use a metal key. Make sure the key is recessed below the top of the felloes so they do not interfere with putting on the tire. For a wheel the size you need, I would make the inside of the tire the same size as the outside of the wheel then heat the tire evenly and install. If you put a tire on a light wheel that is too tight it will compress everything too much and might cause you to say bad things. Remember, when putting the wheel together, make sure that everything is tight, especially make sure that the spokes are seated to the bottom of their mortises and the felloes are seated tightly on the spokes. If you do wind up with a loose tire just shorten it and try again.

You did an exceptional job on your gun and I expect that you will do nothing less than an exceptional job on the wheels.

Maxcaliber

Calamity Jane · « **Reply #6 on:** March 17, 2004, 03:27:37 AM »

Thanks fer the advice Max. I'd'a probably tried makin the tires too tight.

I noticed that the tires of cannon wheels were secured with a bolt thru from the inside - think I'll do that to.

Make the patterns fer the spokes and rim segements last night 'n' started cutting spokes. I'll post some pictures when I get further along.

Calamity Jane · « **Reply #7 on:** March 20, 2004, 03:31:12 AM »

Ok, ya talked me into it. . . .

Looks like I'z gonna have wheels after all.

http://www.geocities.com/diannebest/Cannon/cannon16.html

Double D · « **Reply #8 on:** March 20, 2004, 11:26:56 AM »

Mighty fine looking wheel you got going there lady.

What kind of glue did you use? First set i made I used standard old Elmer's wood glue and everything shook loose after a few firings. I Repaired them and made the next set with acraglas and that solved that.

Calamity Jane · « **Reply #9 on:** March 20, 2004, 01:06:55 PM »

I used LePage's (yellow) carpenter's glue. It's tough, waterproof, and doesn't shatter like the white glues. I hope it'll be ok.

Double D · « **Reply #10 on:** March 20, 2004, 01:26:58 PM »

That should work!

Your doing good!

By the power vested in me by the right honorable Graybeard, i am going to edit your original post and change the title.

I think you will like it!

Calamity Jane · « **Reply #11 on:** March 23, 2004, 02:30:02 PM »

Ok, lessee if'n I kin make this werk.....

jimwaits · « **Reply #12 on:** March 23, 2004, 04:52:30 PM »

Well, Now there are two pretty pictures on your last post!! Both look like works of art!

Double D · « **Reply #13 on:** March 23, 2004, 06:26:31 PM »

Wow!!!

It's bee-u-tee-full!!

Great job!

Max Caliber · « **Reply #14 on:** March 24, 2004, 10:21:49 AM »

Calamity:

Great job on the wheels. I knew that you would do a fine job. I find that wooden wheel building is one of the more satisfying parts of cannon construction.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #15 on:** March 24, 2004, 03:22:16 PM »

So - what are your prices & when can you produce these in quantity?

Horsefeathers · « **Reply #16 on:** March 26, 2004, 07:08:32 PM »

The Amish make Wheels .If you live in or near Amish settlements ask around. I had an oak pony cart made. Excellant workmanship and reasonably priced. That was in Western New York a few years back. I asked about Heavy duty cannon wheels and they said they could make them. They also have Harness shops to produce leather goods. I live in Florida now so i dont know what the situation might be. But the amish have not changed their ways formany years. Just a thought. Horsefeathers

jimwaits · « **Reply #17 on:** June 04, 2004, 03:11:48 PM »

Just looking back over some of the great cannons and mortars from this forum. This beautiful well made cannon must be sitting round gathering dust since I haven't heard a whisper from the owner. She must be waiting until all this pretty weather is gone and that snow and ice returns before taking it back to the range. I guess all the fun was in the hours of work to build it and it must not be much fun to watch it go bang!

Come on Calamity! drag that thing out and shoot it and send us some pictures!

Calamity Jane · « **Reply #18 on:** June 11, 2004, 07:43:45 AM »

Oh, she's been out raisin He!!

Had it out last weekend - waz invited to demo for the "young rifles" group at a local club (along with Cowboy Action, IPSC, etc) to show kids things ya kin do aside from punchin holes in paper.

I did a couppla shots, then asked fer volunteers. Had two young folk load 'n' fire the cannon (under verbal direction from yerstruly).

I think I give them two boys a memory they'll treasure fer awhile! Sure waz sommit the way their faces lit up when the cannon went BOOM

jimwaits · « **Reply #19 on:** June 11, 2004, 08:47:26 AM »

That's really great Calamity. I am sure all those there will have memories of that for a very long time. I have good memories of all the pictures because it is just as nice a job as I have ever seen. Those wheels look like factory made jobs!