On to Machine Shop Special Projects - Sub-scale Muzzleloading Artillery

This is the first of a series of pages detailing the making of a 1/5 scale naval 24 pounder of the English style of 1779 as displayed on the USS Constitution.

The maximum diameter of the finished piece is 4" but because the constructor is a tightwad, a piece of scrap 4 3/8" in diameter (102 lbs) was purchased instead of new 4" material at twice the price (meaning 16 1/2 lbs of chips to start with.)  Another example of his tightwad nature is the lathe dog made from 2x4's that is being used here.  The original piece looked like the lefthand side in the image.  The large turned area is 4" in diameter; the small section is the cascable roughed out.  It will eventually be used for a lathe dog when the piece is turned end-for-end to work on the muzzle and chase.  After that is finished, it will be turned to the finished configuration.

Next we will work on the breech face rings.