Barrel seminar 2006

[Bookie]

My annual barrel welding seminar is just over. It was a pretty intense week and brother, was it HOT! Thursday saw the thermometer hit 130 in the shop. Every one in attendance got to make at least one barrel, and I'm proud to say that every barrel hammered up came out perfect. Here are three photos to whet your appitite. The first is a welding heat shot and you can see the wrought iron wagon wheel rim is white hot and SMOKIN'!

The next is me with the 1st barrel of the seminar.

The last shot is a barrel cut in two pieces to show the completeness of the weld.

See any seam, boys? Cheers, Bookie

 

[mbw907]

Bookie, I would love to learn that myself. How does one get in a class like that? Anyway, you are practicing a lost art for sure, one that most nowdays have never even heard of. Keep us posted when you rifle it. Would love to see pictures of all steps. Thanks, Shantheman

 

[J.D.]

Hey Bookie,
That hole is a little out of round. It must shoot them obliround, not quite oblong, but not quite round either, Ioowaaa boollets. :rotf:
J.D.

 

[TANSTAAFL]

Neat, congrats on the first hand experience.

 

[Bookie]

Yep. Them booletts ain't fer th' weak of heart!
1500+ grains an' look jist like yer thumb. Reckin it can almost make it to Clay Pipe's house with a pound of powder under it. After firing, that boolett flutters so badly, it creates up-lift, just like a gull's wing, an' flies itself to th' target! :blah: Actually, it'll take me about 15-20 drill bits and a reamer to finish the job. You can find several other photos on my little web site if you wish to look. Bookie

 

[mbw907]

Bookie, I am in awe after looking at your website. I'm ready to quit my job and become an apprentice to you at Toadhall. Well, only in my daydreams. Too many bills here to do that, but if I ever win a fortune, look for me at your doorstep.

 

[CrackStock]

Hey Bookie, after looking at that first pic, I had to run downstairs to see if I still had my swage block in my garage! That hammer looked awful familiar too.

Now all I need is a couple of wagon wheel rims, a lot of training and a few years of practice...

Seriously, it is great to see these pictures.

What are you using for your mandrell?

CS

 

[Bookie]

CS, we make our mandrels from hot rolled steel and of a suitable diameter that will be fairly close to the desired bore size. Hammer the tip to a taper for about 4 inches. Round the corners of the tip, too. A 5 gallon plastic bucket works well for a slack tub for the mandrel. It does not take years of practice to weld up a barrel. The hardest part to get right is forge welding. If you can do that reliably, you can make a barrel. Also, not all rims are suitable for making into barrels. Try cupping a few short lengths to see if they crack on you first. Cheers, Bookie