Test topic 2
2
Recent posts
Nov 20
Nov 20
Nov 14
Successful test
Coehorn before firing
On Wednesday afternoon, we dug out the sand and dirt around the mold, raised it out of the casting pit with block and tackle, and set the mold on the ground.
The founders removed the iron bands and straps reinforcing it and cracked the ceramic mold away from the casting. What lay inside is, to all appearances, a still-very-warm, but beautiful casting with excellent surface and detail.
We won't know for sure about its soundness until the deadhead is sawn off, the surface skimmed, and the bore drilled, but so far, looks like SUCCESS!
A second coehorn model is in the works for the Metalworking for Revolution conference starting this weekend. Not sure when we will attempt another casting. A lot depends upon a detailed inspection of the furnace and a determination of what, if any, repair work is required before the next melt. Stay tuned!
Nov 10
Does democratic election work?
Through their right of suffrage, the people exercise their sovereign power over government. If things are not going right, they can throw one set of interests out and elect another that promises a revision of the course that government has taken. -Thomas Jefferson to Spencer Roane, 1819
Nov 07
The idea
Cannons stand as monuments to battle, as well as to the hands that made them: a confederation of specialized trades collaborating to make a formidable weapon.
Each tradesman brings knowledge and expertise as indispensable as the next. A brickmaker builds a furnace, a founder designs a mold to receive a stream of melted bronze, a gunsmith brings his skill to bear, and a wheelwright constructs a carriage to convey the barrel’s heft.
In summer of 2008, Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Trades began an effort to do the same, recreating a light infantry three-pounder gun and the carriage to carry it. This blog is a record of the process. Check often to see photos, videos, and updates from tradespeople as they bring the cannon to completion.
Nov 14
Jun 30
Can American democracy thrive in foreign soil?
"The flames kindled on the Fourth of July, 1776, have spread over too much of the globe to be extinguished by the feeble engines of despotism; on the contrary, they will consume these engines and all who work them." - Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 1821.
Nov 12
Test pour
Furnace under constructionAt 2:07 p.m. Tuesday, the Founders pushed open the tap hole plug of the furnace and a smooth, red-hot stream of molten bronze flowed into the coehorn mortar mold.
The bronze had melted shortly before, after being heated, slowly at first, through the night and this morning. We won’t know exactly how the casting looks until we dig it up and break away the mold tomorrow afternoon, but the heating and pouring process went without hitch.
A number of folks lent a hand out at the site over the night and today. Thanks to them and all the other tradespeople and others who have worked on the project.
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