Anyone ever make a BIG round ball mould?

[trk]

....
Anyone ever made a big round ball mould?
Jason

Jason- If you're into cannons or mortars you NEED to check this out:

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/php...tal+mold+lathe

There are folks there that will help you make one or make one for you.

TRK

[yammerschooner]

A big question I have: How do you make a wax ball as a pattern? (At least how do you get it round and the right size.)

Please forgive the crazy idea I am about pull out of my rear. I am a bit tired, and feeling a little hazy, so maybe this is way out there.

Could you use a water (or other) baloon instead of wax? You could adjust the size by using different amounts of water, and suspend it in something that won't freeze, like alcohol, to keep gravity from distorting the shape. You would have to make it a little smaller to allow for the increase in size as the water freezes.

Push it into some clay before it thaws, and plaster paris from there. Maybe you could simply plaster paris the cube. It isn't like it is going to get wet.

Seems like a cheap thing to try anyway.

Anyway, it's bed time.

[versifier]

Going along the plaster of paris route, easier than using wax, try wood, You could turn a projectile form on a wood lathe, any shape/weight you wanted: hollow base, long, stubby, pointy. I'd use birch or maple, sand and seal it well before making the mold. With wood, it wouldn't be as easy to make a truly round projectile as with metal, but, as suggested, you could probably find one at a craft supplier. Me, I think I'd go the more creative route - plaster's cheap enough, and you could turn a bunch of different weights and profiles in an afternoon to see what flies best. For the hollow base with streamer idea, cast a paperclip into the base to attach it with, maybe tree tape would work and it comes in lots of different colors. Cardboard wadding should protect the plastic from the heat of combustion.

[gregg]

Some where on the web I saw where they made cannon balls with melted
down carbarators (ZINC?) . They would keep reuseing the balls. I think
they panted them bright colors so to find them.

[trk]

Some where on the web I saw where they made cannon balls with melted
down carbarators (ZINC?) . They would keep reuseing the balls. I think
they panted them bright colors so to find them.

Take a look (about 1/2 way down) at DD's mould and zinc cannon ball.
http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/php...0511b67cdf651c

The N-SSA has national competition in mortars and cannons in Winchester, VA. Folks there shoot from the smaller 24 pounders up through the 8" mortars. Zinc is common as it is of about the same density as iron. Balls are often polished; and are definitely reused. Aluminum is a bit light.

[versifier]

So Jason,
What did you end up trying?

[gregg]

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/php...0511b67cdf651c

Don't know They have been hacked as of right now.

[trk]

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/php...0511b67cdf651c

Don't know They have been hacked as of right now.

Keep trying - you'll get in! Some times it takes two or three tries.

[castalott]

I just want you to have respect for what you making....

A friend ( long since gone) who was into the civil war re-enactments got to playing with his cannon one day.....he found that billiard balls fit pretty good. Tried one on his old barn....THRU everything and out the back. We are talking thick oak siding here. So he thought to 'send one in the direction of a woods 1/2 mile away'. He only tried that one time....as you could hear it go 'on and on and on' ..like the energizer bunny!

Have fun but be careful....

Dale