This project is still in the works. When we started we did not realize the magnitude of all the details. Looking back, the completed barrel seems easy compared to the carriage and hardware, and we cringe to even ponder the carriage wheels.
More to follow as time permits.
Barrel construction- 15-5 PH stainless steel
Carriage- White Oak
Hardware- 303 stainless steel, machined from bar
WCCC was building a substantial addition onto the church. When CMS heard some church members make mention that they would be interested in an exercise area with some weight lifting equipment we thought we would see
what we could come up with. We have been blessed to have been given the opportunity to severe and support the members of West County Community Church and appreciate there mentoring, friendship and support.
(Paul, thank you so much for your assistance with historical documentation!)
Every Machinist we have ever spoken to at one time or another has said they would like
to build a cannon. We thought we would like to also, but wanted to start out small. Knowing we like to be
creative we opted for something a little more challenging than a piece of black pipe. After assistance from the
Smithsonian Institute we chose the 12 lb mountain Howitzer and then scaled it to a .4 scale replica as this would allow us to use 3” bar stock.
Bench press benches are comprised of three pieces, the flat bench, adjustable safety spotting and partial rep
section and bar racking cage, as well as a point of use weight storage. This equipment is serious steel that any
power lifter would be would love to own and no mover wants to move twice.
Bench presses construction - 2 ½” square structural tubing x ¼” wall
Dumbbell benches - 2” x 3” rectangular tubing x 3/16” wall
Machining can be more than just manufacturing a product. Machining can also become art to look at, or entertainment to interact with. What if you could produce something that was both? Our puzzles are not only fun to solve, but also fun to look at. When the puzzle is in the lowered position it can be worked like every other puzzle. Once solved, the glass can be slid into place and then the solved puzzle can be stood up into the display position and shown as artwork.
The despicable part of the puzzles is there are no corners, no pictures, no grain lines. We did mark the backs of each piece to at least determine front to back as a reference starting point. To date a few have solves the “round” ones, but no one has been able to solve the “square” one.
Frame construction- 304 Stainless Steel
Puzzle pieces- 304 Stainless Steel
Legs and hardware construction- 303 Stainless Steel
Glass- Custom cut for the project
We had been thinking of manufacturing a Mace for some time as it would be interesting on three different levels.
1. A mace is part of history.
2.A mace has interesting machining geometry with spikes on various angles but also radial on a diameter.
3.The primary reason, is you have to admit it just look great and reeks of testosterone.
Ball construction- 303 Stainless Steel
Spike construction- 303 Stainless Steel
Handle- 303 Stainless Steel
Chain- 304 Stainless Steel (purchased, and modified)