Home Made Black Powder

OK. A couple of you guys said that you would like more info on the subject.

Here is the Absolutely Best Source that I have found for making your own Powder:

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?103852-My-homemade-black-powder/page3

Right now, there are 43 pages on the above thread.

The above link will take you to page 3, where the author is making Black Powder using the "CIA Method" (named because it is a deviation of the CIA/Special Forces Improvised Munitions Books).

This is about the easiest & fastest, but is messy, and will add about 40% to your cost (because of the need for 90% pure alcohol).

The more traditional and efficient method is the "Ball Mill" method. The big thing with that method is that you always need to do it in small batches (1/2 to 1 pound or less) and always do it outside, because of the absolute risk of explosion; that's why powder factories did/do blow up.

So get your technical info from the above link. Then when you have a Question or Progress Report, let's do it here.

Also, this may be a good place for questions about legality. There are a couple of Federal Laws that you need to know about. But by staying inside of compliance & not being stupid, you will be fine.

 

thats looks kinda dangerous...yet cool

If it's done in small quantities, and not next to an arc-welder, it can be safe. Actually, while the powder is wet, it pretty-much won't ignite at all.

I think that the biggest mistake that I made my first time was to not wear rubber gloves when making it. When you pour the chilled alcohol into the mixture, it drives the Potassium Nitrate into the Carbon. Then I put the wet powder into a piece of denim and squeezed the liquid out.

So the human body is composed primarily of water and Carbon Compounds. I kind-of think that some of the Potassium Nitrate went into the skin in my hands, as they smelled like chemicals for a few days.

I don't think that I would have made it through the TSA Checkpoint at Memphis International.

You're status as a Veteran would get you red-flagged thse days.

On a related note can gun powder be homemade?

What would the early frontiersman use to protect their hands from the alcohol getting into their hands?

Good Questions.

Yes.  Black Powder can be made in the U.S. without a license.  The primary restriction is that you cannot possess more than 50 pounds of black powder without a special license, and you cannot Transfer (sell/give) it to anyone - that makes you an explosives manufacturer if you let it out of your control.

There may be some local/state laws pertaining to black powder (I would be most concerned if you lived in a city).  Personally, if you are within Federal Guidelines, you can pretty-much stay off the radar.

It's a funny thing.  If you say that you are making it for Model Rocket Motors, no-one says a thing.  If you say that you're going to stuff it down a Hawken or Enfield with a lead ball, they go nuts.

The Frontiersmen did not use the CIA Method.  They used the Ball-Mill Method.  I think that the Ball-Mill Method makes a slightly better grade of powder, and you don't have to worry about losing Potassium Nitrate in the water/alcohol runoff.

Bad thing about the Ball-Mill Method is, if the completed mixture is dry and a spark (from an electric motor or from using ferrous/iron/steel milling media or rocks or marbles) comes in contact it Will explode.  That is why you never do it inside of your house, and always keep the quantity below a pound.    Also, turn the motor on & off with a remote switch (extension cord).

I am replacing the metal drum on my tumbler with one made of PVC (I figure less-lethal shrapnel, and I can make spare drums for the different components).  

Now for full-disclosure, I am aware that PVC can build up static electricity.  So I'm going to spray it with some rubber-cote and put a grounding strap with a brush running against the drum.

Back in the old days, they used wooden kegs with wooden balls, similar to croquet balls.

Can you make a trip to the Center of the US and we all have a ACTION CAMP on how to make Rocket igniter fuel. GRIN!

It would be fun to do.

Mark "have I got a explosion for you coming up next" Jones.

 that'll be the next big draw event at Camporama 2016!

Can this stuff go off by an electrostatic discharge    I was reminded of the warning you see at the pumps.

Sorry, Dan. I missed your question.

Yes and no.

You're not supposed to mix it in a plastic bowl, because of the possibility of static build-up. Wooden Bowls and Wooden Spoons are recommended.

But definately do NOT put it in anything composed of glass or heavy metal (because of shrapnel hazard).

Black Powder cans are generally composed of cardboard or very light metal with soft soldered seams that will peel open and not hold a "burst charge".

If you read the link to the Home-Made Black Powder, you will see that a couple of folks have encountered inadvertant ignitions. The one that I remember most was a guy who had his powder drying in the vicinity of his arc welder.

This is a LITTLE bit off topic, but it DOES stand to Reason....

It shouldn't surprise anyone that the same kind of people who would be interested in making their own powder would have a welder.

They are the kind of guys who enjoy creating something themselves, instead of needing to run Downtown and relying on someone else for it.

Sounds pretty dangerous to attempt.

I guess the best thing to do is leave your cell phone in the house?

best thing would not to do it at all  

ccm2361 wrote:best thing would not to do it at all  

When Diane Feinstein gets the sale of ammunition stopped, and the rest of us are eating Venison Jerky shot with Home-Made Black Powder, go ahead and enjoy your Danedlion Greens.

Claymore wrote:

ccm2361 wrote:best thing would not to do it at all  

Must be one of our GIRLY Rangers, there.

When Diane Feinstein gets the sale of ammunition stopped, and the rest of us are eating Venison Jerky shot with Home-Made Black Powder, go ahead and enjoy your Danedlion Greens.

 I think a bird of prey just decloaked and fired across your port bow Chris  
I thought Claymore was so enlightened...now where is Christi when you need some  

Time for me to order  

I did delete the "Girly Ranger" part, but you copied it, before I got it edited.

I'm not trying to insult Chris; just giving a little "poke" at the "Wolverine".

I figured you were and I just noticed you edited. Don't mess with the Wolverine especially Michigan is the home of the wolverine!