Making a Brass Cannon

I saw NYCCNC and Jimmydiresta (both awesome channels) made cannons recently. Apparently I'm easily influenced. This video shows how I went about making a small 24 pdr naval gun. Plans (and CAD) are available on my Patreon if you're interested in making one as a gift or desk-visiting deterrent, otherwise, enjoy a video of brass cutting and me not talking :)
Instagram: hlaps1990
Patreon: www.patreon.com/hlaps1990
Music by Ross Bugden: / @rossbugden

[@jeffsharp6798]

I’m a recently retired Design & Technology teacher and I first started making these with 14 year old students 40 years ago. It was a great way of them developing a “tool kit” of skills that would serve them well when designing and making their own coursework projects. I started with brass, but transitioned to casting the barrel and wheels in aluminium to bring in, even more processes and techniques. Sadly, this level of work is no longer evident. However, some of the work that the students were doing at the point where I retired using CAD/CAM, Systems and Control and Electronics is equally challenging.

[@joepie221]

Love it. Its on my list for 2018 to get on board with making one of these. I want to make a field artillery cannon with the large spoked wheels. I have 2 suggestions, or comments for you. If you pull a lathe tailstock off center towards you and drive the part between centers, long taper turning can be done with your carriage power feed. The offset in centers determines the taper. Second, when you turn an OD taper and think you may have secondary operations on the part like backside turning or cross hole drilling, Bore a bushing while the compound is setup at your angle, then just split the bushing and you have a perfect cylindrical nest for a tapered shaft. Good job on this. I wish you showed the bending of those side cleats. Thumbs up!

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Hi Joe, Thanks! I had heard about turning between centers with the centers out of alignment for tapers, but it never occurred to me that that would have allowed me to use the power feed. In hindsight I probably should have done that! Also, good idea about turning a bushing for secondary ops. Didn't think of that! I also wanted to say that I really love your channel and have seen most of your videos, keep up the good work! Greg

[@ronpeck3226]

I was thinking the same thing Joe!

[@Crewsy]

Offset turning is how I made my cannon in High School back in 1982. No CNC then though and we used steel instead of brass. I would loved to have made it in brass. The plans we had used a solid pin straight through the cannon. Probably to prevent us from trying to actually fire them.

[@anasanas-ky5qm]

What is name the machine?

[@ElementalMaker]

Truly beautiful work! What an awesome project!

[@liberatetutemeexinferis5902]

This reminds me of my machine shop class in high school back in the early 90's . Making a canon was one of our projects.

[@TabletopMachineShop]

That would be such an awesome school project!

[@TramJizzle]

To quote Mr Spock "fascinating". Well done, beautiful result 👍

[@MrChubbyHubby.]

Sir! You earned my sub with your most excellent use of a boring pun, drilled it! LOL! Oh, and your cannon is super cool beans awesome too, well done.

[@giornobutmanicotti7196]

That was perfect music for this vidio!!!

[@joepie221]

OK, now you got me motivated to do one of these. I am making field cannons, but one of these looks like fun. I have a shorty setup barrel that would be perfect. Nice work.

[@TabletopMachineShop]

I thought I saw you make a cannon barrel at one point. I think as a Texan you might be legally obligated to fire it too :P

[@joepie221]

@@TabletopMachineShop I think I'll let the AR-15 I made, make all the noise. This guy will have to settle for just looking good.

[@PackthatcameBack]

Out of all the miniature cannons I've seen machined on KZbin, I think this is the only one that actually has the look of a proper naval gun instead of some short, stubby field gun. Though if it was me, I would've made the carriage out of a single piece of wood machined into shape. Also, I would have put the touch hole a lot further back, it wasn't uncommon for them to be placed just behind the first ring.

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Thanks! I normally would have machine the wood but it's a work machine and I didn't wanna get sawdust in it :p

[@Popsimath]

I made one in high school very similar but they wouldn't let me drill the fuse hole. So, of course the first thing I did when I got home was drill the fuse hole, load it up with some black powder. It sounded like a shotgun and the base was completely destroyed on the first shot.

[@snarky.conservative9182]

Beautiful work!

[@rogerramiussergeialexander5541]

Did anyone else hear that (Lock's Quest) music in there? Man, that nostalgia! (Play the game if you haven't, you will thank me!) Loved the vid by the way, good job!

[@pacman10182]

nostalgic for a game that came out in 2008? oh my sweet innocent child

[@F4LLENAPEX]

had to make a cannon similar to this for my 1st year millwright course :D really enjoyed it

[@TabletopMachineShop]

+F4LLENAPEX it was a lot of fun! Its nice not having to meet precise dimensions every now and then!

[@TabletopMachineShop]

+F4LLENAPEX i really enjoyed making this one too... its nice to not have to worry about really tight tolerances!

[@backyardmechanic921]

You should have made the proper fixings instead of those crosshead screws. Apart from them it turned out great.

[@TabletopMachineShop]

I know :( I was thinking of some kind of brass rivet and superglue but i was afraid I wouldn't be able to get them tight enough (plus I wanted to be able to take the barrel off -- just in case)

[@kangparno4417]

Baik

[@nickmiller76]

Agree, the fixings look awful.

[@VC27]

Beautiful build!

[@Wongsterwish]

Great workmanship!!!

[@TabletopMachineShop]

+Loke-Yeow Wong thanks!

[@nutsandbolts432]

Does it go boom?

[@TheJoyofPrecision]

That came out great, nice work!

[@TabletopMachineShop]

+The Joy of Precision Thanks!

[@zilufuzi]

Fire the damn thing!

[@prototype8861]

Channels name is TabletopMachineShop, but then in the video he machines brass on a full sized lathe with Conan the barbarian music in the bg. +1 for you.

[@TabletopMachineShop]

The irony isn't lost on me :P. Some day I'll have a small machine shop of my own that I can make intricate projects with while im still in my pyjamas.

[@jimajello1028]

Could you have used the lathe to somehow form the teats (cross members that mount the cannon on the chassis). Then the bore could have been drilled to meet the touch hole. It would have been more authentic and if legal in your state actually fired. ( Only without a projectile re/ 4th of July New Years). However, Wonderful craftsmanship thank you!.

[@silentmajority5657]

Very nice work.

[@kymnewman3518]

escutcheon pins will do the trick. looks great

[@bendiksbendiks1859]

Very good bravo. Good work

[@61giampiero]

slotted half-round bulging head screws are nicer than Phillips screw head

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Agreed

[@keks_yt4314]

Ich mag es wie du die gewindeplatte für den einstich benutzt hast😄

[@OstModellbau118]

Beautiful work. 👍

[@Хламу-Жизнь]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnSpc52nhtGnfKM

[@julitalukdar3151]

Very nice work...

[@natxosailor]

I am a beginner… How do you set up the small angle to cut conical shape?

[@jaroslavpolac418]

Really perfect job, beautiful camera !!! Thank you for your video !!! 👍👍 j.pol ... cz

[@richardphatthenguyen195]

I am more surprised how much it cost you for that brass stock. These thing are way expansive here. The 1" diameter cost 36$ for a feet length here in canada!

[@TabletopMachineShop]

+Richard Nguyen i have a whole bunch off brass because i went too lee valley once and they were randomly selling 3/4 x 10" brass round for like $4 each! I loaded up and have been carting it around with me ever since

[@jacobkudrowich]

I screamed in fear when you wrapped that emery cloth around the part. That's how you lose your finger. Stay safe

[@jasip1000]

No shooting?

[@Abefailed4LIFE]

love it

[@Jethro.Maloku-le.Rey.Kalsitran]

wow, a powerfull chickpea cannon...

[@amaarammar29abdul38]

You well done

[@myleswillis]

So much time and dedication went into this. Then suddenly...countersunk Phillips 😢Some round head or oval slotted would be my choice.

[@brahtrumpwonbigly7309]

That part killed me🤣

[@zeeek1]

I made one of those in high school

[@chuck2895]

Very nice sir

[@TVBASICINFO]

Brilliant, shame about the screws...!!

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Yeah... regrets :(

[@derfnoname8570]

where are your drawings (what is Patreon?). I think your cannon looks great and I would love to make it. Fred

[@detectorguy]

A nice cannon...however I think possibly you could of used some dome head type peened nails to hold the cannon on to give it period styling as well as scale instead of the CSK screws....but that's just my thoughts anyways. :)

[@TabletopMachineShop]

I agree. I regret the cheapie flat heads :(

[@jemuzu0944]

I searched Canon in D Brass Quintet this appeared.

[@TabletopMachineShop]

I'm glad you clicked, just click the "Bach" button in your browser to return to your search :P

[@mingming-et6ko]

Fire

[@user-zi6ht9gt7e]

Great work! How to find the CNC for this cannon?

[@TARAS_Vech]

As he's drilling holes I blow on my phone to get the shavings away. Then realize it's a video

[@TabletopMachineShop]

I always reach for the "ESC" button on my keyboard when I'm watching an aggressive milling video. That's the an E-Stop button in pathpilot :P

[@tonyromano6220]

Tarzan 🤯🤣🤣🤣

[@pacman10182]

@@TabletopMachineShop the things the shop will do to you

[@navazpatel488]

Fantastic vedio 😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@hamzaali807]

Hello sir. Sir can you please share its exact dimensions .... I want to make it for my advanced workshop project

[@pranaybhoslevlogs]

I would like to buy a Wepon like this

[@dwtochermusic6809]

I do the same but with wood

[@sargenthawk1390]

You are very easily influenced.

[@TabletopMachineShop]

I'm very easily inspired :P

[@gooserrs]

thid is soa good

[@AjeetKumar-sh9qi]

Ameging any carnor make

[@chrismedeiros9197]

Do you have a store or a way to buy some of your handy work

[@keanflynn9254]

now are you going to make the ship to go with the cannons

[@TabletopMachineShop]

I actually made a little lasercut wood rampart that sits on top of my desk divider at work, and thats where the cannon lives :P

[@himynameisjeff]

Have you fired it?

[@TabletopMachineShop]

I tried and immediately clogged it with powder residue. It wasn't as easy as I thought. I'll clean it and try again some time, and hopefully get a video!

[@himynameisjeff]

Looking forward to it! Keep up the nice work

[@AquaTech225]

lockonwmpjr bullshit theirs no law saying any shit like that. If you make an cannon or firearm or anything for yourself. Theirs not a law that any making sure of hurting yourself is a thing. That’s something you take up on your own. Your responsible for your own safety.

[@lito11111940]

Beautiful work sir ! What is the estimated cost of the build ? Please.

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Thank! The cost is probably in the $30-$50 (USD) range depending on what materials you can scrounge.

[@Based_Lightskin]

The spinning machine that he is using to shape the brass what is it called???

[@arthurpoppe4579]

Nathan Schell its a lathe

[@darrenmicallef5186]

What was the degrees for taper?

[@66mrzar]

Are you going to sell it?

[@derAngrif]

Why to make a cannon if you´re not going to fire it. Making a cannon, you´re never going to fire is like being boyfriend of a girl you´re never going to fuck. I´m very disappointed.

[@TabletopMachineShop]

I guess it depends on how much you want to commit a felony on camera and upload it :P

[@allendustin2837]

Allen Dustin could I get plans for your cannon project

[@TabletopMachineShop]

They're up on my Patreon!

[@dex_mandelbrot7105]

The song from tokyo drift. 😎

[@TabletopMachineShop]

I get so many more comments about the song than the cannon haha

[@funwithyou14]

Bhai çhannel been raha h kya

[@kevint6223]

If scaled up could this be fired?

[@AquaTech225]

It can be fired the size it is now

[@timoverschuren2165]

FIRAAA

[@bladerunnersn]

How would you charge to make one of those and that exact size

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Hey Stuart, unfortunately I don't really sell anything -- I just can't handle all of the logistics involved :(

[@bladerunnersn]

Ok lol great video btw mate

[@joepie221]

@@bladerunnersn I'll be posting a cannon build just like this, very soon. I plan to auction it afterwards.

[@leviparrow1532]

did anyone else pause this video thinking they were getting called on discord xD

[@thomaskelly6734]

Where can I get the program to make one of these

[@AquaTech225]

Program? He done it by hand/manually on a lathe their wasn’t any cnc involved

[@davidshaw380]

Why such a large flash hole?

[@TabletopMachineShop]

I wanted to use firework fuses to ignite it

[@davidendres7808]

How About some sizes of what you are doing

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Like dimensions? I didn't have them in the video because I thought it might slow things down

[@BedsitBob]

You could've shown it being fired.

[@amit2009ranchi]

price if you want sale

[@isatntt]

Would it shoot ??

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Theoretically... seems dangerous though :P

[@jimajello1028]

Theoretically.... A large load pushing forward even without a projectile could snap the screw threads clear out especially if the barrel tapers at the point where the screws are mounted. If used in this manner it is an unsafe firearm. This cannon is a beautiful show piece & very well done. 👍

[@deepdhillon7336]

Very very disturbing background music

[@Simon28298]

Sorry to be a safety nazi but you should alway keep your file handle in your left hand so you never get your sleeve over the chuck... off course doesn't apply if your machining in bear chest, since I can't tell...

[@TabletopMachineShop]

I appreciate safety tips! I do prefer machining shirtless, but I'll give left handed filing a try!

[@Simon28298]

Safe and stylish

[@Crewsy]

Sorry to be a grammar nazi but it would be “bare chest” unless there is something that Table Top Machine Shop isn’t telling us. 🐻 🐼🐨

[@jacquylenoir9097]

Franchement, ces vis cruciformes, qu'elle horreur

[@blackcat2075]

does this dud still have all his fingers .the emmry paper should be no longer than the radios of the job that is to be polished ,or it might snatch and pull the operator in and rap ones arm around the job tearing off an arm or wares ,killing him .. Phil , engineer ps its a nice cannon.

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Yessir, all 10 fingers present and accounted for. I was comfortable with the length of emery paper I was using, though I agree shorter is safer just because it's harder to hold on to. Rest assured, I was holding it lightly, and if it grabbed I wouldn't have offered any resistance! Thanks for watching Phil!

[@1ginner1]

@@TabletopMachineShop Try using Brasso on your emery paper, gives a really nice finish.

[@shootingsportstransparency7461]

Those philips screws awfull

[@diyletstry6481]

Hi

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Hi Rupert!

[@mrduck9656]

meow

[@TabletopMachineShop]

woof

[@ahmedalhashim1430]

#Make_brass_kanon

[@kendji1627]

Horrible music

[@jakeroden9527]

Bro Fr next time play some better music

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Not into pirate music for the cannon?

[@jakeroden9527]

hlaps1990 it gets annoying after the first 2 min

[@aacgudini621]

No CNC - no like. Next time... :)

[@TabletopMachineShop]

+AAC Gudini next time then!

[@dcw56]

No CNC; Just right! Nice to see a young person using his hands and brain instead of relying on pushing a button. I like your work, and your Micro Lathe is a fine project, even if it is CNC. ; )

[@Versosurma]

If anyone reading this know good blueprints for napoleon era/ US civil war field gun with measurements please give me link! Doesnt matter what country but something to help with dimensions so i can make it realistic.

[@AjeetKumar-sh9qi]

Ameging any carnor make