processing of barrels

[Richard Furrer]

Originally Posted by Matchlock

Exactly, Alexander,

Of course the plug was driven into the barrel when red hot.

Best,
MIchael

Barrel bright orange-white hot and plug cold so as to cause a shrink fit over the plug and allow for forging the barrel.
I would like to have seen them forging these massive iron bits....hard enough to stand next to 28 pounds of welding hot steel (my damascus billets now) let alone some hundreds of pounds.

I plan on making a small cannon next year....I am gearing up the shop with tooling to do so. Should anyone have a reading list for me I'd be happy to read more on the subject. X-rays especially helpful.

Ric