Author Topic: Started my beer can coehorn (Read 1908 times)

CU_Cannon · « **on:** April 12, 2005, 07:34:53 AM »

I started my beer can coehorn. So far I have the bore rough drilled and the reinforcing bands formed. If I have time tonight I'll get the bore finished and the end radius. So far I have around 5 hours tied up in it. It is going much faster than my golf ball mortar. I didnt realize how much time I spent making the tools I needed.

The final barrel will be a little over 1/2 scale and will rest on a 1/2 scale bed. I think that Ill paint the barrel black and the bed olive drab. I like the looks of a blued barrel on an oiled bed but I think something more accurate is in order.

Heres what I have so far:

Will Bison · « **Reply #1 on:** April 12, 2005, 08:10:46 AM »

Well first off it looks great!!!!!!!!! Good job, I'm always envious of you guys that have all the proper "toys" in the shop.

Why not blue it and oil the base? You can always paint it later.

Double D · « **Reply #2 on:** April 12, 2005, 11:49:33 AM »

Hooraay! Somebody who going to properly finish their gun, paint and paint. Al those blued and oiled guns are pretty, but a proper painted gun is beautiful!

The spar varnish truck I have on my gun makes for a nice finish. Ever since I found out that Civil war era Naval guns trucks were black painted it has bothered me.

CU_Cannon · « **Reply #3 on:** April 12, 2005, 12:38:58 PM »

The golf ball coehorn I build has a blued barrel and oiled base. I really like the way it turned out but I think I need a bit of a change. Ill finish it with a coat of boiled linseed oil and then a few coats of paint. It will be hard for me to paint oak but I will force my self to do it.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #4 on:** April 12, 2005, 12:54:48 PM »

Quote from: CU_Cannon

.... It is going much faster than my golf ball mortar. I didnt realize how much time I spent making the tools I needed.
....

Good lookin' tube dude! Curves in the right places too.

Making the tools is usually what I do after fixing something and then I get to do the building process.

CU_Cannon · « **Reply #5 on:** April 13, 2005, 04:44:49 PM »

I spent a few hours finishing the bore tonight. It is just under the length of a can with a 1 by 1.5 powder chamber. The chamber may be a little small but I can always bore it out more later. Everything is going pretty smooth, something should go wrong pretty soon.

CU_Cannon · « **Reply #6 on:** April 18, 2005, 03:58:41 PM »

I got the end rounded and the piece for the trunnion made over the weekend. All that is left is the trunnion groove and the vent. It is turning out to be a nice little mortar.

I picked the ugliest piece of steel I could find for the trunnion. It was a piece of scrap shaft my dad had laying around. There was enough before the keyway to get a trunnion out if it.

CU_Cannon · « **Reply #7 on:** April 19, 2005, 04:46:47 PM »

I had some time tonight to do some more work. I finished cutting the trunnion grove. I decided to try fly cutting it. I was concerned that it would be difficult to get the cutter adjusted to cut the right size groove. It turned out that I got right the first time without any adjustment. Sometimes you just get lucky I guess. All I have left is drilling the holes for the socket screws to hold the trunnion on and the vent. Another hour or so and it will be done.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #8 on:** April 20, 2005, 01:09:05 AM »

Lookin' good dude!

Now for the woodwork!

CU_Cannon · « **Reply #9 on:** April 22, 2005, 06:58:33 AM »

I got the barrel finished last night. The trunnion is attached with 2 5/16-18 socket screws and epoxied in place. The epoxy is mainly there to seal the crack between the trunnion and the barrel rather than strength.

If anyones interested Ill post a copy of my drawings.

Third_Rail · « **Reply #10 on:** April 22, 2005, 10:20:19 AM »

Quote

If anyones interested Ill post a copy of my drawings.

Yes, please. :-)

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #11 on:** April 22, 2005, 02:52:57 PM »

Quote from: CU_Cannon

.... The epoxy is mainly there to seal the crack between the trunnion and the barrel rather than strength. ....

That will help keep the rust down after cleaning with hot soapy water!
I'm always impressed by what folks do with a minimum of precision equipment - and make it work!

By all means post the drawings.

CU_Cannon · « **Reply #12 on:** April 22, 2005, 05:00:27 PM »

Here are my drawings. Please don't sue me if you blow your self up. I have the drawings in AutoCAD format. If anyone wants copies just PM me.

The bed is 1/2 scale. The barrel is a little over 1/2 scale. The stock I had was 4.5 so it ended up a little over 1/2 scale. I figured the a little extra steel is never a problem.

Do what ever you want with my drawings. I got most of my ideas from the board. All I ask if you use my drawings is to post some pictures of your mortar here.

Testing will start once I get a base together.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #13 on:** April 22, 2005, 05:23:06 PM »

Quote from: CU_Cannon

Here are my drawings. Please don't sue me if you blow your self up. .... I figured the a little extra steel is never a problem. ....

Looks like a lot of steel in the right places.

BUT as you now know first hand, it's not a guarentee to anyone about anything! That's a responsibility each builder takes.

Thanks for postting the drawings!

HotGuns · « **Reply #14 on:** April 22, 2005, 06:25:20 PM »

Thanks for the drawings. I've saved them for future projects. I wish Id have had it when I built my mortar instead of using pictures.

Regarding the radius at the bottom. Is that an accurate rendition ?

I've noted that many mortars just have a radius that blends into the band(like mine does) and others have the radius with the angle that goes up to the band.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #15 on:** April 23, 2005, 02:13:28 AM »

Quote from: HotGuns

....Regarding the radius at the bottom. Is that an accurate rendition ? ....

Compare to a full-scale 1841:

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(The radius wasn't given on the original either.)

CU_Cannon · « **Reply #16 on:** April 23, 2005, 05:36:30 AM »

It is well worth getting a set of antique ordinance plans. They are only $10 and contain a wealth of information.

I used 4150 steel for the barrel. It has yield strength 55,000 psi. With the amount of material around the powder chamber I think you would be hard pressed to blow it up. But it is possible.

The machining properties for 4150 arent much. It has the tendency to tare rather than cut. I was machining it with a high speed bit it may machine better with carbide.

CU_Cannon · « **Reply #17 on:** May 11, 2005, 05:56:38 PM »

Ive been pretty busy with other things lately so I haven't had much time to work on my mortar. I have gotten the base laminated up and it cut to size. I still need to carve the recess for the barrel. Once I get a chance I'll get the base painted and some hardware made. It is going to be hard painting the oak but I guess I'll have to do it. I'll post pictures once I get something more done.

CU_Cannon · « **Reply #18 on:** May 23, 2005, 03:13:53 PM »

I have most of the wood working done on the bed. It is made of red oak. The recess for the barrel was carved out using a mallet and chisel. It took a while but it is amazing how much control you have when you go slowly.

I now need to try my hand at blacksmithing so I can make some handles and carriage bolts. Over all Im very happy with how it is truing out. A little paint and it will look almost finished.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #19 on:** May 23, 2005, 03:50:28 PM »

It's time to start doing 12oz curls to build up an ammo supply for that sweet lookin' mortar!

CU_Cannon · « **Reply #20 on:** July 23, 2005, 04:47:27 PM »

Here are some pictures of the almost finished mortar. There is a little more painting to do and handles need to be made but other than that it is done.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #21 on:** July 24, 2005, 02:09:44 AM »

IMpressive!

You've earned some real bragging rights on this one!

Double D · « **Reply #22 on:** July 24, 2005, 04:55:25 AM »

Very nice indeed! Love the paint job! Only one thing missing now, a picture of smoke and fire roaring out of the muzzle!

As Blaster Bob always asks can you post a picture of the gun with a powder can next to it?

HotGuns · « **Reply #23 on:** July 25, 2005, 01:20:37 PM »

exellent !

Ditto on the pictures of fire-n-smoke...

I can hardly wait... :grin:

CU_Cannon · « **Reply #24 on:** July 27, 2005, 04:25:50 PM »

Thanks for the complements.

I am very happy with the looks of the paint. You made a believer out of me DD.

I'm anxious to hear her voice but there isn't anyone in my area that will carry real black powder. I know someone that can get it for me but it will be a while. I may have to bite the bullet and order it.

Once I get some powder I'll post some action pics.