Pics of how I built my cannon... Next: Ball Mill and BP

[CANNONMAN]

I've wanted to build a cannon since High School... Some 40 yrs ago. This is a highly specialized oil field pipe. It is used right after the well head. It was chosen for its burst pressure and for its ability to withstand continuous effects of massive water hammering or elasticity. Two highly different types of force. The breach plug is of similar metal. It is three thousands over the bore. The breach was heated and the plug pressed. The breach and plug were taped and pinned X3. The initial weld was to marry the plug to the breach. The rest was fill welding. The cannon was then powdercoated. The wheels are from laminating OSB and High density fiber board. Flat iron was rolled for tires and a trailer axle cut so the whole thing was just under 4" to fit in truck bed. [Shame on me because I am much better at wood working than steel. I just wanted to get the thing done!] The elevator is some 1 1/2" all thread with a water well handle - donated - welded on. There are five smaller cannons in current production. My BP is next. "Memories have a distinct pleasure when they are of dreams come true."

 

[g.willikers]

Beautiful work.
But isn't it kind of hard to conceal when you go out to dinner?
Is this a hobby or something more?

 

[Jaymo]

That's some serious home invader repellant.

I like the Cincinnati shaper. That thing will hog out some metal with a quickness.

 

[BCRider]

I gotta say that any metal shop that has an actual shaper still in it is MY kind of workshop!

Lovely work. And really it doesn't matter if it's steel or wood. I've found that good standards of workmanship arise even when working with new materials. And you clearly applied your work standards very ably to the metal work portion.

I dearly want to make a cannon as well. But I'm planning on either something in the .65 caliber region or that shoots patched golf balls to hold down on the cost of bullets and powder.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Please do tell about the lathe. I have lathe envy.

 

[sltm1]

Outstanding !!!!!!!

 

[CANNONMAN]

Hints to keeping cost down: Soon as I take some shots of my ball mill I'll show you how to make a real simple mold to make your own golf ball size shot. I got tired of shooting golf balls... Well, they asked me not to come back to the golf course and the cops didn't even let me keep the bracelets they had me wear. Jeezze, I was driving the ball longer than anybody else! Anyway, I'm currently making 1# of BP for $3.25. Big cannon takes 5oz and will shoot a 3# shot flat at 500 yds. [That's as far as I've shot it so far] When you mill the powder 4F or Flash is in easy reach. Some wheel weights and your shooting all day for a few bucks. The lathe is in an industrial oil field equipment repair complex. It is one many there. The enormity of the projects they work on is incomprehensible until you see it. I met "Sid" there. He's the shop foreman. He used to teach the hobby adult milling class at the college that I took to build cannons. He took me under wing and I made a pretty good size cannon. The one's at the college go for $45K. They are less than half the size of the one used for this cannon. This is a hobby. I might sneak a pic of one of my wood working projects or a few lines of one of my short stories. Great fun thus far. I have thoroughly enjoyed "meeting" all of you. Wouldn't it be great to be sitting around a campfire having Gary reading some Zane Grey to us whilst sipp'n homemade whiskey?

 

[whughett]

This cannon thing must be catching. Guy selling cannons had a spot in the Fort Myer gun show this Saturday. A good size field piece on a carriage and a smaller table model. The larger was cast, the smaller turned. First time in 40+ years of gun show that I have seen a booth devoted to cannons.

 

[kBob]

Just a quick note.

I found my old US park service "Artillery Through the Ages" which was once available for 25 cents from a no zipcode address according to the back cover.

I went to Amazon to look for a newer copy as mine is starting fall from its stapled "binder" and was appalled at how folks have made new private editions of a US GPO book and charge outrageous prices for them.

Then I noticed it was available on kindle for free...... While I like BP and old stuff sometimes the electronics of the age of wonders comes through. I can put away my yellowing stabled phamplet and read it on kindle without ever degrading my original.

I also noted that DVD copies of the two volume American Artillerist's Companion are available for about $36 or about a third of the price of some hard back editions.....

Much to be looked into in this here 21st century.

-kBob

 

[g.willikers]

Thanks for the tip, another free one from Amazon.
They've been giving away a ton of digital books, lately.