Muzzle-loading cannon (from extruded brass stock)

[Kevin_NH]

Ever since moving to New Hampshire, I've wanted to make my own cannon. Goal is to eventually move up to "golf ball" bore.

Apropos of a recent thread, we're building these 0.25" bore "signal cannons" in brass (extruded 360 brass, 1.125" before turning)

First prototype on a 3d-printed base, final product will be on a wooden sled, but Saturday was sunny, so I did some testing:

Also experimenting with sand-casting the brass trunnion (recycling the scraps from cutting/turning the barrel):

 

[Fixxah]

Looks risky. Love it.

 

[Bigfudge16]

Looks like fun. Make one for baseball size shot

 

[mothybee]

What are you crazy? Even the founders said you can't own a cannon.................I heard that somewhere.

 

[mac1911]

Been thinking of the same project for the lathe I picked up ib 2022.

Also looking into sand casting
Right now the cost for yet another off shoot of a hobby is slowing me down

 

[Kevin_NH]

Been thinking of the same project for the lathe I picked up ib 2022.
Also looking into sand casting
Right now the cost for yet another off shoot of a hobby is slowing me down

I've been experimenting with sand casting at Manchester Makerspace, pouring liquid metal is not a hobby I want to take up at home.

Looks risky. Love it.

We chose 1⅛" extruded 360 brass rod for the barrel, sand-casting only non-pressure-containing parts.

 

[mac1911]

I've been experimenting with sand casting at Manchester Makerspace, pouring liquid metal is not a hobby I want to take up at home.

We chose 1⅛" extruded 360 brass rod for the barrel, sand-casting only non-pressure-containing parts.

Hell no , If I cant do it at home its no fun.
Manchester Makerspace: do they sell supplies.

Been looking for a decent price on the “green sand” or Petrobond
I want to try and make gears
I will start with aluminum
Probably Zmak -3 its zinc/amuminum alloy. Melts under 1000’F and should do fine for the gears I need.
Brass/bronze later

 

[Kevin_NH]

Manchester Makerspace: do they sell supplies.
Been looking for a decent price on the “green sand” or Petrobond

Doesn't sell supplies, does do group buys for members.

 

[mac1911]

I've been experimenting with sand casting at Manchester Makerspace, pouring liquid metal is not a hobby I want to take up at home.

We chose 1⅛" extruded 360 brass rod for the barrel, sand-casting only non-pressure-containing parts.

I just looked up that 360 Brass, 3 foot rod 180 bucks. It’s cheaper to buy a canon

 

[Kevin_NH]

I just looked up that 360 Brass, 3 foot rod 180 bucks. It’s cheaper to buy a canon

Remember what I said above about group buys? Buying in bulk cut the price significantly.

 

[mac1911]

Remember what I said above about group buys? Buying in bulk cut the price significantly.

Absolutely …..just not local enough for me.

 

[MisterHappy]

OP - this is worth a listen, as a cautionary tale:


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-1Dq2qfrdA


Everyone else - funny.