Are there images available for those articles? That would be really neat to see.
Homemade Blackpowder
- Thread starter AethelstanAegen
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elhombreconnonombre
Member
Total raw material cost for a 1# batch: about $8 (charcoal is free).
zxcvbob
Member
I've made a couple of 1/2 lb batches in a Harbor Freight rock tumbler, using .457 lead balls (cast from wheel weights and water-dropped) for media. Works pretty good. The most important ingredient seems to be the charcoal -- I used white cedar.
elhombreconnonombre
Member
cxcvbob:
How do think red cedar would work?
How do think red cedar would work?
Mike1234567
member
I've read that soft woods are better to make charcoal... untreated Spruce from you're local lumber yard is a good option. But I just READ that a couple places. I have no experience with it.
zxcvbob
Member
I don't know; it's worth a try. Willow is traditional and one of the best, if you have a source of that.
The folks at skylighter say spruce and white pine are okay (and really cheap): http://www.skylighter.com/fireworks/how-to-make/homemade-charcoal.asp
Arizona_Mike
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Just keep in mind that the 50lb waiver of the old Federal 5lb limit only applies to "commercial" powder. I really don't know all the details under this rather obscure set of regulations but it is something to look into if you are going to be making your own.
Mike
Mike
Officers'Wife
Member
According to Weingard pines, cedars and spruces retained too much tar in the charcoal which affects incorporation. Willow is the best because pore size. If my uncle's notes are to be believed, next is cottonwood, mulberry with sassafras in last place. The criteria (as per his notes) are pore size, free hydrocarbons(less is better) and ash content.
Mike1234567
member
^^^ Yes but which of those woods are easily available to most folks?
towboat_er
Member
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- Jan 5, 2011
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- 889
Sassafras, willow and mulberry are plentiful here in N.E. KY.
Malachi Leviticus Blue
Member
I thought Grape Vine was supposed to be high on the list. I've made charcoal, but never got around to making Black Powder yet.
Steel Horse Rider
Member
What I found in my research is that Willow was the preferred wood in Europe in the mid-1800's.
bobinoregon
Member
Several of the fireworks folks over at www.passfire.com make their own black powder, mainly cause they go through a lot of it. You may have to join the site to access the info but they have it down. When I'm shooting my cannons I go through quite a bit but for me it's easier to just buy Goex from Jack's Powder Keg in Louisiana. A phone call and a week later the ups man brings it to my door.
Officers'Wife
Member
Grape vine charcoal is useful for art as the coking leaves a pencil like product. Keep in mind, I personally have only made three or four batches and then under the watchful eye of an expert. The information I have comes from his experimentation. Since he lived in Indiana his sources were native to Indiana. My curiosity leans to other subjects so I don't do the amount of research on the subject that he did.
FWIW- he made samples of many species. He noted that Oak had too high an ash/mineral content that slowed combustion. Osage Orange or Yew too high a free hydrocarbon. Maple too small a pore size. He also made test batches with nearly every species and made noted on incorporation, corning and burn rate. The notes are quite detailed.
another pake
Member
If you already have a Thumler's, you can easily make a dedicated ball mill from a lexan Nalgene bottle. Under $10. That way you don't have to contaminate your Thumler's container.
As stated, cast lead balls work very well in the mill. No sparking.
Black Willow works very well as do many willow varieties, and are readily available around any wetland, slough or drainage. Use small, pencil sized branches. They char faster and break up easier in the mill.
Sulpher and salt peter are available in any hardware store or Walmart garden department. Sulpher is a soil amendment. SP is sold as a stump remover.
A little baked corn starch is your friend too. Research it.
As to whether the product is equal to, greater than or inferior to Goex, you'll find yourself on the road of another very enjoyable pastime as you make those comparisons.
Either way there is something very satisfying about taking game with a rifle you've built, using powder you've made, pushing a ball you've cast.
pake
As stated, cast lead balls work very well in the mill. No sparking.
Black Willow works very well as do many willow varieties, and are readily available around any wetland, slough or drainage. Use small, pencil sized branches. They char faster and break up easier in the mill.
Sulpher and salt peter are available in any hardware store or Walmart garden department. Sulpher is a soil amendment. SP is sold as a stump remover.
A little baked corn starch is your friend too. Research it.
As to whether the product is equal to, greater than or inferior to Goex, you'll find yourself on the road of another very enjoyable pastime as you make those comparisons.
Either way there is something very satisfying about taking game with a rifle you've built, using powder you've made, pushing a ball you've cast.
pake
zxcvbob
Member
A big step up from using stump remover for the saltpeter would be hydroponics-grade potassium nitrate fertilizer. It also was a lot cheaper last time I looked it up, (like $35 or $40 for a 50 lb bag) but I couldn't find any locally and did not want to ship it to MN from Florida.
Garden shop sulfur is good enough, it is 90% S.
Garden shop sulfur is good enough, it is 90% S.
Officers'Wife
Member
Hi Bob,
If you want a true do it yourself project start raising earthworms & feed them your old veggies and yard waste. Sell the earthworms for bait then filter out their home with water. After the water evaporates the niter crystallizes out and can be purified by more crystallization.
or you could find a agriculture bulk plant and buy sodium nitrate (chilean saltpetre) in 80 pound bags and do an ionic replacement with potash if you want to cut down on your sodium.
Or when all else fails there is always skylighter.com
KNO3
Added thought: if you use stump remover check the ingredient list carefully. Some are based on chlorates or perchlorates. Two oxidizers you do not want to mess with! Unless you plan on making your own percussion caps as well. If so you have a far better sense of adventure than I!
If you want a true do it yourself project start raising earthworms & feed them your old veggies and yard waste. Sell the earthworms for bait then filter out their home with water. After the water evaporates the niter crystallizes out and can be purified by more crystallization.
or you could find a agriculture bulk plant and buy sodium nitrate (chilean saltpetre) in 80 pound bags and do an ionic replacement with potash if you want to cut down on your sodium.
Or when all else fails there is always skylighter.com
KNO3
Added thought: if you use stump remover check the ingredient list carefully. Some are based on chlorates or perchlorates. Two oxidizers you do not want to mess with! Unless you plan on making your own percussion caps as well. If so you have a far better sense of adventure than I!
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A lot of good info on making BP http://www.musketeer.ch/blackpowder/bp_menu.html
Mike1234567
member
Okay... that's just about the dumbest thing I've ever seen. I suppose I understand why you posted it though. Some folks can be REALLY STOOPID!! With reasonable care I don't see why one shouldn't make their own black powder... just not THAT moron.
theotherwaldo
Member
I want to know how to make black powder.
I want to know how to make the tools for making black powder and the other materials necessary for keeping firearms functioning.
I want to know how to make and use bows, arrows, slings, traps, traps, shelters, and whatever may be useful (or fun).
I'll probably never have to use this tool set (again), but I WANT TO KNOW HOW!
I want to know how to make the tools for making black powder and the other materials necessary for keeping firearms functioning.
I want to know how to make and use bows, arrows, slings, traps, traps, shelters, and whatever may be useful (or fun).
I'll probably never have to use this tool set (again), but I WANT TO KNOW HOW!
another pake
Member
the otherwaldo, head over to your local library and start checking out the Foxfire Books. eight or nine volume set written in the 80's or so. Still around in bookstores too if you want to go that route. Very entertaining, educational and just plain interesting exploring all aspects of everyday living, southern mountain style.
Pake
Pake
theotherwaldo
Member
1- I'm a temporarily unemployed reference librarian. I MUST know!! It's a compulsion.
2- I have the full set of Foxfire books in my ancient motor home. I've just about worn them out.
2- I have the full set of Foxfire books in my ancient motor home. I've just about worn them out.
lol
I know thats fake but i feel like that guy some times.
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