Forty Rod SASS 3935 Posted August 8, 2022 Share Posted August 8, 2022 I need to turn a total of seven pieces of wood from 2 to 5 inches long and about an inch in diameter. I'll be making 1/24 scale cannon (smooth bore, rifled, and a hex bore Whitworth rifle), and a mortar barrel. This will be a one time project for a school teacher friend, so I don't want to invest a lot of money in it. Now here's the fun part: I haven't even touched a lathe in over 50 years and can't remember much of what I once knew, so I'll need some tools to go along with this machine. The internet has been about as helpful as a sledge hammer to crack eggs. I need suggestions...or better yet, I'd like to find someone to make these items for me. I have carriages and caissons, and can find the rest of the hardware and shooting accessories. Help me out, if you will. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PowderRiverCowboy Posted August 8, 2022 Share Posted August 8, 2022 How would this one work for you ? https://www.amazon.com/RUNDTIA-Benchtop-Variable-Woodworking-Polishing/dp/B09K4W4FYZ/ref=asc_df_B09K4W4FYZ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=563715124049&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3243938787459652359&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1025846&hvtargid=pla-1597756711333&psc=1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badlands Bob #61228 Posted August 8, 2022 Share Posted August 8, 2022 A wood lathe is a pretty simple device. The heavier the lathe the more stable it is and the bigger piece you can turn. How much lathe you need is always the issue. You can turn little stuff on a big lathe but you can't turn big stuff on a little lathe. Lathe tools can also get quite expensive and some take quite a learning curve. Wood turning is an addiction and a money pit. If you've got a specific design or plan, maybe I can help you out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cold Lake Kid, SASS # 51474 Posted August 8, 2022 Share Posted August 8, 2022 Too bad we have that Medicine Line between us. I could loan you my desk cannon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted August 8, 2022 Share Posted August 8, 2022 I might know someone that can make them for you. He needs to see a drawing or two before he will commit. You might also ask Yul Lose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdeacon Joe Posted August 8, 2022 Share Posted August 8, 2022 Check Mini Wood Lathe Benchtop MICRO Woodturning Lathe Grinding Polishing Beads Drill Rotary Tool Set Variable Speed (Standard) https://a.co/d/1oh6Efj Also, Zyliss made a rig that would hold a drill on one end and rods (ways) with a tail stock and a tool rest. Both inexpensive and somewhat cheap, but for what you want it should work. 20 years ago it was about 45 bucks at the fair. Check Harbor Freight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackwater 53393 Posted August 8, 2022 Share Posted August 8, 2022 What about a Shop Smith!! You can sometimes find them on Craigslist and EvilBay!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bailey Creek,5759 Posted August 8, 2022 Share Posted August 8, 2022 How about going to your local High School? Teacher would probably help you out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdeacon Joe Posted August 8, 2022 Share Posted August 8, 2022 14 minutes ago, Bailey Creek,5759 said: How about going to your local High School? Teacher would probably help you out. Good idea! Or Boy Scouts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yul Lose Posted August 8, 2022 Share Posted August 8, 2022 4 hours ago, Sedalia Dave said: I might know someone that can make them for you. He needs to see a drawing or two before he will commit. You might also ask Yul Lose. What little wood turning I do I use a Smithy mill/lathe combo metal working machine. Works okay for what I use it for, don’t know if I could get the dimensions and precision he needs for his projects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henry T Harrison Posted August 8, 2022 Share Posted August 8, 2022 5 hours ago, Cold Lake Kid, SASS # 51474 said: Too bad we have that Medicine Line between us. I could loan you my desk cannon. The next time we talk remind me to tell you a story about miniature canons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badlands Bob #61228 Posted August 8, 2022 Share Posted August 8, 2022 This is something I knocked out in about 5 minutes from a piece of scrap maple. Is this sort of what your looking for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdeacon Joe Posted August 8, 2022 Share Posted August 8, 2022 I want to know how 40 plans to machine in the twist on the hex bore of the Whitworth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted August 9, 2022 Share Posted August 9, 2022 3 hours ago, Subdeacon Joe said: I want to know how 40 plans to machine in the twist on the hex bore of the Whitworth. Usa a Hexagon drill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdeacon Joe Posted August 9, 2022 Share Posted August 9, 2022 38 minutes ago, Sedalia Dave said: Usa a Hexagon drill. It doesn't have a twist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Gun Barney, SASS #2428 Posted August 9, 2022 Share Posted August 9, 2022 I don’t know about drilling hexagons, but I do know how fun it is to get an engineering intern and explain that a drilled hole in thin sheet metal is actually a triangular hole. More often than not, I have to take them out to the shop to prove it to them. More fun than sending them to the tool crib for a left handed screwdriver to install reverse threaded screws. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clay Mosby Posted August 9, 2022 Share Posted August 9, 2022 If you send me the wood, or at least a dimensioned sketch and type of wood desired I'll make em for ya, just the cost of shipping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted August 9, 2022 Share Posted August 9, 2022 7 hours ago, Subdeacon Joe said: It doesn't have a twist. Picky picky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas Joker Posted August 9, 2022 Share Posted August 9, 2022 If its a one off can you chuck it in a drill press and support the base? I know press heads are not designed for side stress but it'll work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashley D Austin Posted August 9, 2022 Share Posted August 9, 2022 16 hours ago, Subdeacon Joe said: Good idea! Or Boy Scouts. I am suprised you are making a canon for a school teacher friend as any type of weapom or replica of one is banned in all public schools nation wide, this includes guns, canons, knives, swords, etc. no matter the material or size. Anyway, for getting a small piece lathed, if your local high school no longer offers Shop, your county Voc. Tech School should be able to help you out, they are always looking for real world projects for their students and this is a nice one, they may even offer to do the whole project for you. Unless your district Boy Scout Troops have a leader who is a carpenter they probably would not be able to assist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forty Rod SASS 3935 Posted August 9, 2022 Author Share Posted August 9, 2022 18 hours ago, Subdeacon Joe said: I want to know how 40 plans to machine in the twist on the hex bore of the Whitworth. Going to split the piece lengthwise and carve the bore with an Xacto knife. Then I'll carefully glue it back together. Finally, I'll steam and twist the entire piece of wood to get the proper twist to the bore. Once that's done I can turn the outer dimensions on a lathe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Gun Barney, SASS #2428 Posted August 9, 2022 Share Posted August 9, 2022 Of course we will expect pictures when these are completed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forty Rod SASS 3935 Posted August 10, 2022 Author Share Posted August 10, 2022 Well.let me tell you: I found some Brittania high grade pewter models that just fit my pistol to a T. I remember building one a lot of years ago and it was gorgeous, a bit of a pain to build and finish, but really fine looking when it was done. These are 1/16 scale, but very detailed (including a hex bore on the Whitworth).........so i"m going to go that route instead of the wood barrels. Thanks anyway, folks. This is a charter school and this teacher is heavy into 18th / 19th Century history, including military weapons, uniforms, gear, tactics, maps and all the rest. I used to do gun lectures in a public high school in Santa Ana, CA in the '70s. That won't happen there again in my life time, but I had good responses, newspaper stories, etc. R. J. (the teacher) is setting me up for at least one more series in his school here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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