Blackpowder ignition problem with a model cannon

S

sam0812

Inactive
Hi All .Im new to all this so please be kind. Ive got a small cannon[15 inch long-9/16 bore] with a 5/64 dia touchhole. I make my own BP which works great but I cant get anything to burn down the touchhole to set it off. Ive tried loose meal powder,various home made fuses,different mixes of powder etc. The touchhole seems to foul before the flame gets to the charge. Ive got it to fire a couple of times quite well,but its just to inconsistent.Any Ideas ?
 
It is my understanding that FFFFg is priming powder. If that is available, you might try that.

If that is not available, you can "sift" your powder through fine cloth by putting a small quantity on the cloth, and gantly moving the cloth back and forth over a container. The "fines" can be used to prime.

Or, if I were to make a cannon such as this, I would probably acquire an actual firearm "lock", with a hammer, and modify my flashhole to securely hold a shotgun primer.
 
Powderman

Might go to the manufacturer of the piece. Ask if they have had others reporting ignition problems. They might have a quick fix. At the very least I bet they would be interested in your experience given that you use your own powder.
 
Fuse

Have you tried a fuse? Store bought.
That 5/64" is probably too narrow for homemade fuse. The stuff that we make tends to produce more fouling than the store bought factory stuff.
Pete
 
robhof

darkgael has the solution. The commercial cannon fuse is pretty good stuff and a few ft last quite a while. I also have a 3/4" bore that my brother and I bought the barrel from DGW some 40+ years ago and made the carriage as a scout project. I put it away in an ammo box with fg Dupont powder and about 6 ft. of fuse. I found it a few years ago, going through my late parents house and poured a charge and lit the fuse, it still went bang, and the fuses even work wet. The fuse is still sold in the back of gun mags and I've even seen it on EBay.
 
I have three home-made cannons and also use the bought fusing cord. My touch holes has to be about 1/8" diameter but whatever it is, there is a slight air gap around the fuse. I have never had a miss-fire with mine. I mostly use Pyrodex.



Be Safe !!!
 
thanks all

I think my fuse hole might be a bit small. I had this cannon made on a cnc lathe at work and was just guessing the hole diameter. if I can make a fuse small enough to leave a small air gap around it seems to work. I cant legally buy commercial fuse here in Australia:mad: I thought maybe a different powder composition may work.eg no sulphur in the mix. Anyhow thanks to everyone Its good to talk to people who understand.
 
Sam,
Can you post pix of your cannon? I've been thinking I'd make a cannon or two when I retire and would like to see what others have done.

I've seen some cannons that use percussion caps.
 
How about just putting a pinch of FFF or FFFF powder on top of the flashhole in a little mound and touching it off? Low-tech approach. (might need to countersink it a little)
 
Not allowed to buy cannon fuse , seems like I have seen a device that uses caps to fire cannons and such .
Might have been at Dixie , but I don`t remember now .
Someone told me our fuse is traceable now with some kind of codeing in the fuse even after it burns .
I don`t know , whats the world comming to .
I guess pileing powder in the touch hole is better than nothing .
would be hard to run and light that powder at the same time though :confused:
 
A few years back, I had some small cannons that had a 3/16" bore and 1/4". I could not buy fusing so I bought some rolls of caps and rolled them up leangthwise for about 2". Made sure to have one cap in the hole and lit it off and it worked. Got burned a time or two.

Can you post pix of your cannon? I've been thinking I'd make a cannon or two when I retire and would like to see what others have done.
Click to expand...

My favorite is a scale model of an Naval 8-pounder. Made out of SS with a 3/8" bore. I got the plans on the internet. Just google it. Last month there was a guy at the range that was shooting golf balls with his. Claimed you can't track them flying and I couldn't.


Be Safe !!!
 
Sam, use a #1 center drill, it will make a funnel shape into the combustion chamber. I have used fuse, loose powder in mine with never a misfire.
 
pic

Here's a picture of a little golf ball mortar that I made based on a design submitted in a contest over at the BP cannon/mortar forum at Greybeard. It's called the KISS mortar ("keep it simple..."). Mortar design by DD.
Machining the bore was right at the limit of my little 4" lathe.
KISSmortar2.jpg
[/IMG]
Great fun.
Pete
 
some pics of the cannon

HI All .Thanks to you guys I can sort it out now.Heres a couple of pics. Its 15" overall with a 9/16 bore.I blued all the metalwork.I work as a sandblaster,laborer and general dogs body in a large metal fab works so I can get access to materials and cnc lathes etc:)
 

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Jam one of those birthday cake sparklers down the touchhole.

Those wires covered with that black stuff so when you light them they burn down, sparkling the whole way.

Cheap, works, and it even looks like something out of loony toons. You wont get ignition with the powder only method unless you get your touchhole packed full of powder (unlikely with a verticle touchhole unless you take the time to do it) If you go this route use a lintstock
 
WOW .... :eek:
Very nice work, Sam. And this little beauty has "fun" written all over it !! See if you can send us a picture of the touch-hole.
hickstick_10: Jam one of those birthday cake sparklers down the touchhole.
Click to expand...
That sounds like a good suggestion should work well. Heck, it might take a littel time to burn down but will keep burning till it does it's job.

Sam, be sure and let us know how you made out ... :)


Be Safe !!!
 
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