Introduction: Age of Empires III : Heavy Cannon

About: Hi i'm Akri (ADJ) Building Services Engineer, I love to do almost anything. I do (DIY) projects in my free times or when prompted by my siblings' school exhibition. Im a doer and an adventurer
Hi doers, its a whole home made cannon inspired by my beloved PC game AGE OF EMPIRES series. It has been one of my little dream to operate one cannon in real rather than commanding some in the game, eventually i made my dream true. I hope Age of Empires lovers will like my work. I dedicate this cannon to Age of Empires III

Simple and easy ways.. make one like this..
100% home made, no cost at all

Things you will need
1. 6" (inch) iron or steel pipe
2. 10" X 20" timber piece of any kind (Thickness 1")
3. 16 6" nails
4. 1 bicycle tyre hub with the nuts and bolts
5.10" long uniform wood block for centre (Thickness 1", width 2" prefered)
6. 1" X 1" wood block of 7" length
7. 2 springs
8. Hand drill
9. Fire crackers
Optional: marble balls, Paint & Brush
*** You need the help of a welder and a carpender if you don't have equipments

Step 1: Cannon Gun Piece

Close one side of the iron/steel pipe with iron/steel thick metal sheet by welding, leave a small hole for fire purpose in the closed side. the hole can be in the top of the pipe also near to closed side with a diameter of 5 to 10 mm (millimeter).
*** you can weld two bolts in both sides of the pipe for mounting and dismounting with the body and for our safety.
Warning: *do not use wooden or thin sheets of metal if you want to use this cannon for fun fireworks.
*do not use illegal gun powders or blast materials.
*do not test in public places.

I have used several types of iron/steel pipes to make gun piece, all worked fine.

Step 2: Cannon Body

First of all put holes in both sides of the 1" X 1" wood block to insert the cut axle bolt. Drill the wood block according to the size of bolt otherwise you have to use adhesive to make it tight.
Next you have to arrange all the timber parts like a 'T' shown in the below pictures, i have designed two types of body.
Whatever the design the gun piece should stay fixed.

Step 3: Axle

Fix the bolt and nut of the bicycle hub in both end of the "T" body to make the cannon tyre axle

Step 4: Making Tyres

Cut the timber piece to two similar pieces with a 9" radius from center to inner circular surface which means you have to leave 1" width so it will look like a ring. then cut the bicycle tyre hub into two similar pieces to attach with nail (do the same for the axle bolt) and timber ring to complete the cannon tyres. Next drill 8 holes in the timber ring in star shape to insert the nails in star shape, finally weld the nails with the cut Tyre hub.
*** insert the nails from inside out in the timber ring or cut the rest piece of nail from the head with the perfect match with the hub in the center.

Step 5: Gun Height Adjustment

you can make a misc setup to adjust height angle with a screw bolt,
for that you'l need a screw bolt and a small peace of carved wood blog.
you can screw down and screw up according to desired angle of projection.
In my design, the gun piece can upstand always due to weight distribution from the fixing point. so that i have used a small chain set up to pull down the gun piece when adjusting gun height angle.

Step 6: Finishing

Fix the tires with nuts, mount the gun piece with the body.
Load the firecracker and insert anything as cannon ball... now fire at will..
**Caution high decibel blast may affect hearings..
Stay away after lighting the cracker
Watch the videos to see the success fire..

Enjoy weekend with fun fires..