[TheForge] Pickle update #1

[WinnonaD]

Well, I finally got in touch with my friend with the
50 ton press. He's a pretty good mechanical guy and
felt we should try to push the liner home (rather than
out).

I had the 22" liner in about 6" with a jack and then
by driving. With his 50-ton, we got it in except for
the last 6" before we ran out of capacity. After a few
phone calls, I found a major machine shop in the city
with a 100 ton press so I dropped the "assembly" off
there tonight.

I explained what had been done so far and the foreman
was very sympathetic (I guess it happens to even the
best). He said they will try to press it home but, if
it doesn't look good, they will press it out for me. I
will find out tomorrow which way it went. (I suspect
that they will get it in right, even if they have to
press it out, do some "dressing" and press it in
again.)

I don't think I have to worry about that sleeve moving
in the bronze barrel! If it takes >50 tons to press it
in, IT ISN'T GOING ANYWHERE! (The cannon is only a 1"
bore.)

Reyonlds asked if I was going to go to "artillery
school" That's not possible but I have done a lot of
research on the Internet, mainly Civil War artillery
sites, and collected a lot of the drill and safety
procedures. I also hang out in a couple of Civil War
artillery "boards" and have found some good coaches. I
have been shooting for 35 year, reloading for 25, and
shooting Blackpowder for 20 years, so, what I am
REALLY doing is "moving up to a larger caliber" :D :D

"It is not often we get such interesting reports from
one such as you"

Hummmmmm, I ain't sure jist how to take that, so I
guess I'll assume it's a compliment! ;-)

I'll let ya'll know how the machine shop made out when
I get back from the city tomorrow.

Starting tomorrow, the cannon gets put aside for
awhile and I get to try some actual blacksmithing - my
first! I promissed to make a couple of "rifle field
stands" for a buckskinner friend. I'll be bringing
back some fire clay to line my new/old forge and then
we'll see if I can do a smaller project without
screwing it up like the cannon! :-)

Later fellers!

Calamity Jane

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