Author Topic: Homemade spoked wheels for 9" Napolean (Read 741 times)

pyro_tek · « **on:** October 13, 2005, 05:05:11 PM »

Has anyone here found a way to make sturdy, relatively easy to construct carriage wheels for field cannon? I'm not tied to traditional methods other than using wood and metal main components. Newfangled glues and techniques are great as long as they make the project easier, stronger, and don't sacrifice too much of the traditional look.

Plans, information sources, material suggestions, and basic pondering on the question are all welcome. I do believe this is on topic as my goal is to build model replica carriages which will function properly with the the cannon discussed here.

Thanks for the help.
p_t

GGaskill · « **Reply #1 on:** October 13, 2005, 08:34:31 PM »

Get the Napoleon folio from Antique Ordnance Publishers for the plans. Making jigs for the wheel parts greatly simplifies wheel making. The hardest part is making dished wheels for artillery versus the flat wheels used on wagons because you need to include a lot of angles in the holes and tenons.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #2 on:** October 14, 2005, 01:17:22 AM »

Quote from: pyro_tek

Has anyone here found a way to make sturdy, relatively easy to construct carriage wheels for field cannon? ....

Now you know one of the reasons why I like mortars - no wheels.

:lol:

Double D · « **Reply #3 on:** October 14, 2005, 06:24:20 AM »

Visit the Cannon Suppliers list at the top of the board and you will find suppliers who will sell you wheels very cheaply and very expensively. One of the links is to af ellow who will sell you a book on how to make wheels. http://www.windyhillwoods.com/wooden-wagon-wheels.html

You can also see if you can find some of William Greens plans. He has two different wheel plans and they are simple.

pyro_tek · « **Reply #4 on:** October 15, 2005, 02:06:29 PM »

"Now you know one of the reasons why I like mortars - no wheels."

Sure, mortars rock, but field guns ROLL baby! :-D

kappullen · « **Reply #5 on:** October 15, 2005, 04:05:19 PM »

Yes field guns roll,

but they take a lot of work too.

This barrel took a week to make, and the carriage another month, full time including the wheels.

I'd buy the cast wheels instead of making if I could afford it.

kap.

pyro_tek · « **Reply #6 on:** October 15, 2005, 05:39:41 PM »

I can cast Aluminum but I really am intrigued by building the "correct" wood wheels. Ask me that again in a few weeks and I'll have probably changed my tune (I'm just gunna stick with mortar cause they ar best...).
Keep in mind I'm working on a 9" Napolean (5-7"wheels). Then probably a couple ship's cannon. I'm not too worried about the ship wheels but I anticipate time, as well as a lot of TLC on the Napolean.
Wish me Luck and big bags of money,
Luther

Powder keg · « **Reply #7 on:** October 16, 2005, 05:19:13 AM »

Any pictures of your barrel? You said you can cast aluminum? Do you have a home foundry? Later,