need blacksmith services

[twobirds]

Greetings, Ladies and Gents...

I need the services of a blacksmith to construct a yoke for a swivel gun barrel.  Not a complicated project, but will require working with some pretty heavy stock.  If anyone here has made a swivelgun yoke, or has the ability to do so, I'd be interested in talking to you about details.  You can drop me an email at r_cole70@hotmail.com.

Thanks.

twobirds

[Stumblin Wolf]

got any details or dimensions?...or even a pikture wrote with a crayon?

[Steven9851]

I dont think my anvil is big enough for this but, I would like to see how it goes.

[twobirds]

Thanks, Gentlemen, for your prompt reply.  Unfortunately, I've been called out of town on business and will not be able to give you much to go on until I return home.    But the barrel I'm purchasing is the English Swivel Gun at http://www.hernironworks.com/cannons.html.  I can perhaps post some sketches toward the end of next week.  Stay tuned, and thanks again.

twobirds

[Stumblin Wolf]

Nice tube!!! That thing has 1 1/2" trunnions; and the weight is 103lbs. Not what I'd consider as a swivel gun! I don't think a swivel will hold up, especially if you plan to shoot it. I'd maybe think about building a field carriage for it and making a 1/4 size cannon.

[twobirds]

Definitely mean to use it.  I realize that this is a heavy barrel, but the dimensions are less than I've seen for some original swivels.  I agree that it will take some heavy metalwork to make a yoke, but I have no interest in a field carriage gun. 

I think the weight is slightly overquoted, too.  If I recall, that is the crated shipping weight.  But it's still 90+ lbs!  Should be home by the weekend, where I can maybe put together some sketches.

Thanks for your input.

twobirds

[Stumblin Wolf]

If you can get me some dimensions I'll see if I can make one. You might want to ask Thumper too on here, he's a good smith!

[Thumper]

Thanks for the compliment StumblinWolf, right back at you!! I already contacted twobirds and he said he'll get back to me once the dust settles in his world. look's like a fun job.

[Stumblin Wolf]

  You have at it Thumper! Lets see some pics when yer done!

[twobirds]

Hey, Thumper.  I just sent you an email concerning this project.  Check it when you get a chance.

twobirds

[Grassmith]

I'm from Jax. Does anyone know where you can learn to do black smithing?

[Red Badger]

Check your local community collage - might have a basic  course

[ValleyBlacksmith]

I'm from Jax. Does anyone know where you can learn to do black smithing?

First of all check your local library and check out whatever books they have on blacksmithing.
Read, read, read and then read 'em all again.
That'll soothe the itch for a spell but pretty soon you'll get ta hankerin' for a snoot full of coalsmoke, not to worry 'cause there are likely some smiths nearabouts your neck of the woods who will be glad to show you a thing or two and help you locate tools & such.

First place to go is the "Artist Blacksmith Association of North America" or "ABANA". A little bit of chickenhawkin' on the web should get you to their site. Once you find it click on the "affiliates" tab and that brings you to a scroll down list. Abana has groups all over the country and down your way that would be "The Florida Artist Blacksmith Association". You will find them on that list with contact info of all the who, what, where, when stuff. Some chapters have a fixed main shop and always meet in the same place. Other groups jump around to different member's shops on a rotational basis, FABA is one of these, their northeast group has upcoming meets in Archer near Gainsville and at Barberville near Daytona.

Many of the smiths I know have attended classes up appalachia way at a place called Brasstown, N.C. This is where the John C. Campbell folk school is located. Fantastic place and highly recomended to everyone on this site. They have classes in all sorts of stuff that would fit right into a living history lifestyle. Blacksmithing classes are held yearround and taught by some of the most outstanding blacksmiths in the country. A bit on the pricey side but you will learn stuff here from the best and your skills will advance exponentially. I recomend you send for their catalog of courses.
GOOD LUCK!