James Cannon Model 1841 by Tom E - FINISHED - Guns of History - 1:16

[popeye the sailor]

choosing not to apply a second coat right way is good advice.   repainting too soon can reactivate the original coat and cause a host of problems....streaks,  ghosting,  and paint wrinkling {if you've ever seen this...it's horrible}.  at least you got to spend some time at the table......models appear in due time       looks very nice.

[Tom E]

Evening, 

Hope everyone is well. It's been a slow go on builds lately. 

It's been short bursts of building that don't last long. It's a bad back/nerve thing. Hard to sit at the table for long times.

 

Anywho…..

 

The James cannon does continue!

Instead of adding the cheeks to the main piece, thought I would add some small pieces before hand. 

 

Added the Trail grabs. These are both port and starboard. 

Easy enough. 

I also started prepping the wheels.

As you can see below, they need just a touch of clean up!

There was so much here, I put it in the metal recycling bin instead of the trash. It was quite a bit. 

Hind sight, ME sells wooden "upgrade" sets on the wheels. 

A good bath and rinse. 

It took a lot of sanding/carving, but they cleaned up nicely. 

Then a coat of primer to start the painting process. 

Tom E 

 

 

[Canute]

Was that a vinegar bath or just water? The reason I ask is that the acid in the vinegar is a good prep for getting metals clean enough to prime.

[popeye the sailor]

nice progress so far Tom.......the wheels did clean up well.   it shouldn't be too hard to get a convincing finish on them, but did you look at the upgraded wheels to see if them might look better?

[Tom E]

Ken, 

That's just plain water for a rinse.

I'm not clever enough to think of Vinegar for a good cleaning. But I'm definitely going to use that one on a future build, it makes sense.  

 

Denis,

When I ordered the Cannon I was looking at the "upgrade" wheel set but never pulled the trigger on buying them.

I thought they looked pretty good.  

If I build another cannon, I'll definitely upgrade the wheels. 

 

Tom E 

 

[mtaylor]

If you go with the vinegar bath, rinse it thoroughly.   I never thought if it for painting metal though as I've only used it to clean before blackening.

[Canute]

Back in days of yore, Floquil made a prep for metals. I never used it, but learned to clean white metal/ pot metal/zamac with vinegar to give some "tooth" to the surface so primers would work properly.

[thibaultron]

Another good link on airbrushes is

 

The wargamers site also has several good videos on airbrushes.

[popeye the sailor]

there are quite a few of them too........I never knew just how large the wargamer medium really was,  until I went looking for a tutorial on the decal maker that I own.  I would imagine that for air brushing,  there are just as many,  if not more!

[Tom E]

Ron, 

That has to be one of the best tutorials I've seen so far on airbrushing. 

Really liked his talk about compressors.

I haven't bought anything yet, but it has me re-thinking what I was thinking of buying. 

I was going way to big for a compressor! 

He explains it in layman's terms and no BS.

Thanks!

 

Tom E 

 

[thibaultron]

Your welcome! Some day I hope to get one of those smaller compressors. Right now I'm using a 3 gallon Harbor Freight one, and man is it load! I plan to put it in another room of my shop, and run a hose to it, so the noise is reduced.

[Tom E]

Evening,

Hope everyone is having a nice Easter.

I'm on the road all day tomorrow for Dinner with the family.

So an update tonight!

 

The Cheeks were installed.

Both sides.

I couldn't help myself. 

Nothing glued together below, just wanted to see what it looks like. 

Once the wheels get there black band and a good coat of white, should really come to life. 

Some small pieces need to be painted and installed on the main frame. 

Haven't even started on the Cannon yet.

It's going to need a lot of work.

Tom E 

 

 

 

[Tom E]

Evening, 

Quiet in the house right now, every one is off doing there thing.

Time for an update!

 

Its been a lot of painting, then paint some more.

Admittedly, I've been putting a fair amount of time on my Niagara build.

 

Any who...…..

The James Cannon continues. 

It's been mostly painting the wheels.

Everything got a coat of Primer and left alone for a week. 

Then I alternated between Black and White paint.

At least 3 coats of each.

The small square bits on the inside of the wheels represent bolts. 

These will be painted last. 

Nothing is attached to the Main Axle.

But with some color on the wheels, it feels like it's coming together. 

 

Several more coats to go, especially with the white. 

Tom E 

 

 

[popeye the sailor]

white is probably the worst color to paint.........and on metal no less.........     looks really good!

[Tom E]

Morning, 

Kinda quiet in the house, thought James needed an update. 

 

I attached the Axle to the main body then the Center and Side Shackles went on. 

It's a soft metal so it's easily shaped to the contour. A bucket will hang from the hook. 

More small pieces are on. 

The Spike Swivel and Socket were next. 

 

On the Starboard side, a Linstock and Spike Ring are installed. 

Port side is a Spike Ring and Hook Plate. 

 

Tom E 

 

 

 

[Tom E]

Evening, 

Thought the James Cannon could use an update. 

Over the past work week I've started thinking about how to display/mount it.

 

I was at Michaels recently and found some things I can make a display for the cannon.

 

First, a slab of basswood for a base. 

Then found some beads that will simulate cannon balls, after a good painting. Figure I'll make a stacked triangle of cannon shot.

I checked the size of the beads to the size of the cannon and they fit perfectly. Almost like they were made for it!

The rocks I bought to simulate an old New England style rock wall somewhere behind the cannon, I'm still chewing on that one.

I just couldn't resist putting it together to see what It will look like. 

I really need to start the cannon!

I think she's cleaning up nicely. 

I may stain the basswood base. The white of the cannon gets kind of washed out by the basswood. 

Maybe a dark stain, I have a Red Oak stain already.....Hmmmmmm….

The below pic is what has me re-thinking a rock wall. 

The entire cannon fills up a fair amount of the base.

Cannon shot will be stacked somewhere near by. 

Tom E 

 

 

 

[mtaylor]

Maybe curved low wall in front of the cannon on the edge of the base?  

[Canute]

I'd second that idea with a low stone wall in front of the cannon. Think Cushing at the Copse of Trees at Gettysburg, Day 3.

[popeye the sailor]

you could build up the stone wall on both sides of the cannon,   leaving the front of the cannon open,  or with a torn away portion of the wall.  either way......you have a very nice plan of it's display   it coming along nicely.

[Tom E]

Evening, 

Been a while since I updated, Honestly, It's been all me!

It's springtime in New England and the fishing has been good. Very wet this spring, river levels are up and cold and the trout are loving it!

Plus, my beloved Boston Bruins are in the Stanley Cup Finals!!!!

 

The build continues!

 

The Pittons have been painted and installed. Poles will hang from these.  

These curly things were tricky. Once the glue was placed you had to hold these things so they wouldn't move/flop off.

I probably used too much glue, its shiny in the below pic. It will get a coat of black. But should prove a solid bond. 

The wheels get another coat.

The wheels are catching up to the "brightness" of the main body. One coat at a time!

I started the Cannon finally!

I went to town on this thing, cutting, trimming, sanding......etc......

A good couple of hours it took!  A whole bunch of coffee and doughnuts!

 

In the end, it's looking much better in person. Below it has its primer coat and does it no justice. Still has its rough areas, but presentable.

We'll have a better view of it once it has it's black paint. 

Go Bruins!

Tom E 

 

 

[popeye the sailor]

look'in good Tom!   who knows........the minor pitting on the cannon barrel might look better once it's got the finish on.   I wouldn't think that a field piece would remain pristine after a few battles,  especially after transport and positioned on the field.  very nice work!

[Tom E]

Evening, 

With my Niagara build properly updated, the James Cannon needs an update. 

 

The Cannon came out nicely with a few coats of black. 

I didn't go to heavy with the layers of black for the Cannon. 

Once I was satisfied, the Cannon, Cap Squares and Elevating Screw where installed. 

The Elevator Screw and Housing have been trimmed to give a pleasing angle to the Cannon. 

It's still pointing down in the below pic. 

Having all these pieces together really brings it to life!

The buckets will get a coat of black. 

The Turning Spike was painted a dark brown with a black ball on the end. 

 

Tom E. 

 

 

[popeye the sailor]

good to see an update      looks  super with the cannon mounted!

[Tom E]

Evening, 

I just updated my Niagara build, figured I would update the James Cannon as well. 

I was a building machine this weekend!

 

I started shaping the poles for the Worm, Scoop and Rammer/Sponge a few days ago.

They were stained with an "Early American" stain.

The Worm was made from the supplied wire wrapped around a scrap 5/32 dowel.

After I removed the wire and placed it into the Cannon mouth to see if it looked good, It fit perfectly!

Once trimmed it was blackened with Birchwood-Casey Brass Black. 

Love this stuff, works almost instantly. 

The Scoop is done.

With all the "accessories" being assembled she looks almost ready for the battle field. 

Tom E 

 

 

[mtaylor]

Looks like all you need are some canister, ball shot, and powder.

[Tom E]

Evening, 

Thought I would share an update. 

I'm so close to finishing, I can smell it!

But, that might just be paint/glue I'm smelling! 

 

The buckets and the Sponge/Rammer are done.

With the Worm and Scoop.

There are a few lengths of chain attached to the main body of the cannon. 

I concocted the below Jig to hold a length of supplied brass chain that will eventually be attached back to itself forming a loop. 

 A few other smaller lengths were measured out and blackened.

We'll let these dry for a spell.

Tom E 

 

[popeye the sailor]

look'in good Tom! 

[Tom E]

Morning, 

It's going to be unusually hot and muggy this weekend......to the Shipyard it is!!!!!

Absolutely hate the heat, I'm a New England boy and prefer the cooler weather. 

A sure sign that summer is almost over...…..the New England Patriots report to camp next week! 

 

Update on the James Cannon.

The blackened chains were air dried for a day or two then installed. 

 

She's really filling in. 

A while back I bought some .080 brown rope from Syren…..I sure glad I did!

It looks pretty sweet compared to the "rope" that comes with the kit. 

A few touch ups are next. 

Hope to have this project wrapped up soon!

 

Tom E 

 

 

[Jack12477]

WOW !  Really nice looking cannon. Nice job. And I agree, Chuck's rope really makes the whole thing stand out.

[popeye the sailor]

it looks like you already have....a very fine artillery piece