My new worm

[CU_Cannon]

I had some time today so I decided to make a worm for my 12 pdr coehorn.  I don’t believe worms were generally used for mortars but since I plan on using foil wrapped charges I thought it would be handy to have.   

It turned out ok.  One thing I would have done different was to make the twist opposite.  This one has a left hand twist which is ok but makes it a little hard to use.  I may make another with right hand twist.





The tines are twisted uniform to each other the angle of the camera makes them look a little uneven.

[Rickk]

How did you get the twist uniform?

A blacksmith friend of mine can make them (same as candleholders)... he uses a jig that he made.

[freddo]

 Thats a good looking worm Cu cannon.I'm about to make one myself and ,like Rickk ,I would very much appreciate your advice on how to go about it.

[CU_Cannon]

The twist was mostly done by eye.  I turned the socket portion separate then welded on a piece of 1/4” steel rod for the tines.  I then used a mandrill held in the tail stock of the lathe to form the twist.  It was easy to bend by hand around the form. 

I’ll post some building pictures of the next one.

Here a basic drawing of what I built.  Don’t pay too much attention to the tines as they will be different on each one.

[Santa Dave]

OK, I'll get down & beg!
It there someone who can make me a worm head for my golfball caliber(1.687") cannon? I don't have a shop (anymore) or it would be a cinch. I would be willing to trade green, dead presidents for the priveledge of owning one!
Santa Dave

[freddo]

Thanks for the drawing CUCannon.Did'nt quite understand the mandrel in the TAIL stock of your lathe.

[Cannonmaker]

When building worms I place a long manderal in the lathe with a loop welded near the end that fits the  tailstock.  The manderal must be small enough to allow for springback.  Place the end of a long piece of round in the loop.  The lathe in the slowest speed, turn it on and feed the round by hand on down the manderal.  There is a picture of this operation on my website,  click on my banner, go to the gallery, then to Cannon const.

Sant Dave,  I should be able to provide a worm.  I'll give you a PM.  hopefully our mom and pop phone company will keep my internet working now.

Rick
 

[freddo]

Thanks CUCannon thats very clear.

[Michael Az]

Rick, you have a great web site with lots of great photos.
What kind of steel do you use for the worms?
Michael

[Cannonmaker]

Rick, you have a great web site with lots of great photos.
What kind of steel do you use for the worms?
Michael

The steel I use is 1018  CDR 3/16". I never ment to not get back to you execpit my internet was down from earley Aug. to just the last couple of days.  I have had to use friends internet.  The phone Co. plowed a new line and figured a way to get us on DSL.  They say we are pushing the limet as far as distance out but the got the job done.  DSL is great.

I hope to be a regular on the site agean.

Rick

[Powder keg]

Hey Rick, Glad they got you fixed up.

Wes