Author Topic: Wood Wheels (Read 1834 times)

Evil Dog · « **on:** June 05, 2005, 06:49:54 PM »

Almost have enough saved up to replace the wheels on my half scale Napoleon. Will be buying 30" wheels that are designed for use on a firing cannon. Have the choice narrowed down to either Hansen Wheel and Wagon Shop or The Spotted Mule... both have links on the "where to find" references page. The price is pretty much the same from either. Just wondering if any of you have any experience with either company? What do you think of their wheels? Any input would really be appreciated.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #1 on:** June 06, 2005, 12:45:36 AM »

(no experience here - I build mortars - no wheels).

Some folks have raised the option of having wheels locally made - if you know of any Amish folks that still do such. A price/quality comparison would be interesting.

GGaskill · « **Reply #2 on:** June 10, 2005, 05:49:27 PM »

A friend of mine deals with this man for wooden wheels:

The Amish wheel man:

Noah Stutzman
Stutzman's Wheel Shop
33650 County Rd. 12
Baltic, OH 43804

Evil Dog · « **Reply #3 on:** June 10, 2005, 08:22:15 PM »

I was going to ask if you had his phone number..... but then it dawned on me that being Amish he probably doesn't have a phone.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #4 on:** June 11, 2005, 01:45:18 AM »

We have an Amish community nearby us - one community phone - business is business.

Terry C. · « **Reply #5 on:** June 11, 2005, 05:04:42 PM »

Hi, new member here.

I just found this forum and decided to register so I could show off my own little piece of yard artillery. The barrel (Cannon-mania) and wheels were purchased, everything else was scratch-built.

Back on topic, these wheels are Amish-made, purchased from Amishcraft.com. While they are not authentic cannon wheels per se, they were close enough for my purposes. I consider this carriage a 'modernized interpretation' of a Civil War design. That is just a fancy way of saying that I did the best I could with whatever I could find and/or make within my budget. :roll:

More info and pics are here.

Also some photos of my 1.125" ball mold from JT Moulds, my homemade mold handle (don't laugh, it works :wink:), and some of my wheelweight-alloy balls.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #6 on:** June 12, 2005, 12:42:33 AM »

Terry C.

WOW!

Welcome, and thanks for posting the pix. Great project! I'm sure that there are folks that will want drawings.

Horsefeathers · « **Reply #7 on:** June 12, 2005, 12:56:06 PM »

The Amish don't have phones in their homes,But wher I lived in Western NY there was a pay phone installed on a pole near an Amish Harnessmaker. It got a lot of use. Horsefeathers.

Double D · « **Reply #8 on:** June 12, 2005, 02:01:20 PM »

Terry,

How about taking a side view of the gun, say from 45 degrees from the front and level with the piece.

Terry C. · « **Reply #9 on:** June 12, 2005, 02:42:29 PM »

Did you clink on the link, and look at the photos of the cannon in its various stages of completion?

Here is one of those photos, sorta what you described:

I won't be taking any new outdoor photos in the foreseeable future, as the extended weather forecast has thunderstorms, thunderstorms, and then some thunderstorms after that...

Double D · « **Reply #10 on:** June 12, 2005, 04:08:49 PM »

Aw, that's better...can't wait to see it when you get all the metal and wood work painted. Should be beautiful!

Smoothbore · « **Reply #11 on:** June 14, 2005, 12:30:50 AM »

Terry C,

Hello new member---from another fairly new member. Glad to see someone from my general area (Jacksonville) join this forum.
Your listing from the swamp raises a question---does the "C" by chance stand for Cribbs?? I went to college with a Bill Cribbs, whose family goes waaayyy back in the swamp. I remember, many years ago, seeing the gravesites of his grandparnets (or was it great-grandparents) on Billy's Island. Did a lot of fishing in the swamp back in the 60's and 70's.
Do you have a place to shoot your cannon?? I would like to be an audience sometime.

Later,
Smoothbore

Terry C. · « **Reply #12 on:** June 14, 2005, 10:59:28 AM »

Hello back atcha!

No, it's not Cribbs, it's Cason (of the Bickley Casons). I live in Waycross and spend a good bit of time in and around The Swamp.

Living in the county, I can shoot blank loads right in the back yard. But for live fire I have to arrange a visit to one or the other of my relatives with a little more real estate.

Articifer Tom · « **Reply #13 on:** June 15, 2005, 12:26:17 PM »

Helllo Evil how you been . Did you ever shoot the friction primers at that event ? Wheel sourse I use is Mennonites [ different Amish sec. ] they have electricity and phones . Place called Witmers Coach Shop New Holland, Pa. 717-656 3411 ..Last price sheet says 31" wheels 118 each PR 31. These people build wheels for a living to be used . You can spec your dish , and hub hole size, straight or tapper.,tires with rubber or not call and get there catolug on wheel and one on bugy wagon repair parts . Sadly the shipping is whats going to hurt the most . 57' wheel s were about $495 and 200lbs 3yrs ago.

Evil Dog · « **Reply #14 on:** June 15, 2005, 01:26:25 PM »

Hi Tom..... it sure has been a while. Yes, we did use the fiction primers... they worked great but we are having a pretty hard time justifying the expense. The "post-it note" quickmatch costs hardly anything and a 3" piece of American made Visco fuse is only a couple of pennies.... a far cry from the cost of a friction primer. I do like the quickmatch and linstock method even though it requires me being a lot closer to the cannon when it lights up... things get real loud real quick.

Thanks for the info on your wheel maker.... will give them a call in the morning.

Evil Dog · « **Reply #15 on:** June 19, 2005, 11:54:51 AM »

Ordered a set of 30" cannon wheels from Custom Wagons (http://www.customwagons.com/wagon_wheels.htm) today. Jay assures me that they aren't going to disassemble is less than 50 shots like the wheels I bought from one of the other suppliers (I won't mention the company, but their initials are R&P Trading Co). In all fairness to those other folks though, the wheels I bought from them weren't specifically designed for cannon use.... still don't think they should have come apart that quickly though.

Having the hub drilled with a 1" hole so that I can use 1" OD x 3/4" ID bronze bushings from the local hardware store. Jay at Custom Wagons suggested the bronze bushings, previously I'd just used a piece of 1" OD seamless tubing for a bushing.

If you are in need of wheels, you might want to give Custom Wagons a call, they were real easy to work with and very cannon friendly. Will let you know more about the wheels when they arrive sometime next month.