The504 Posted May 28, 2012 Posted May 28, 2012 (edited) I plan on milling 1lb BP of at a time. The black powder is going to be used for rocket fuel and lift charges. Here's what I'm buying. 1 lb Sulfur 1 lb Charcoal Black Willow 3 lb Bentonite Clay5 lbs PotassiumNitrate 1 lb Dextrin Total with shipping 4oz 20 long, tentubes 3lb rock tumbler 4oz BP Rocket Tooling Set Am I missing anything? Edited May 28, 2012 by the504
pyrokid Posted May 28, 2012 Posted May 28, 2012 Assuming that the 4oz. rocket kit is a traditional core burner, you will want to use something closer to a 60-30-10 formula for that, as opposed to the 75-15-10 that is used for lift powder. If you are using a clay nozzle, which it looks like you are, 75-15-10 fuel will burn too fast and cause a CATO. My rockets fly very well using 6-3-1 fuel that is simply screen mixed and granulated without a binder. The reason for not using the binder is to facilitate easy fuel consolidation in the rocket case. I also don't think you could fit 1 pound of bp into a harbor freight mill. On top of that, you need some media for the mill.
bob Posted May 28, 2012 Posted May 28, 2012 but you do have to use hot 75/15/10 bp for nozzle less core burning rockets right know I have 2 ball mills my bigger one I mill one lb at a time my smaller one I mill 200 grams at I time my smaller one is a 3 lbs and my bigger one I made it uses a 1 gallon jar so I don't think you'll get one lbs in a 3 lbs ball mill if you do go with the 3 lb mill you'll need about 200 balls of media (if you use 50cal) every thin else looks good thoughbob
xBangergoosEx Posted May 28, 2012 Posted May 28, 2012 Looks good. I have had success using 60/30/10 kno3/c/s
dagabu Posted May 28, 2012 Posted May 28, 2012 I plan on milling 1lb BP of at a time. The black powder is going to be used for rocket fuel and lift charges. Here's what I'm buying. 1 lb Sulfur 1 lb Charcoal Black Willow 3 lb Bentonite Clay5 lbs PotassiumNitrate 1 lb Dextrin Total with shipping 4oz 20 long, tentubes 3lb rock tumbler 4oz BP Rocket Tooling Set Am I missing anything? I would not use the Black Willow, buy some regular charcoal instead. Black Willow is more reactive, causing a faster burn time and more pressure and while there are times where more is better, learning to make rockets is not one of them. A charcoal that is average is a great thing when starting to make rockets, more power is always available, start with 60:30:10 and work toward 75:15:10 for more power. It will also help keep your costs down for chems. BTW- I am very impressed with the Skylighter prilled KNO3, it makes some very nice BP. -dag
The504 Posted May 28, 2012 Author Posted May 28, 2012 (edited) Ok thanks for the replys. Looks like I'm going to buy the regular charcoal and black willow charcoal. Doesn't hurt to have them. Edited May 28, 2012 by the504
Mumbles Posted May 28, 2012 Posted May 28, 2012 I agree. If you're looking to make powder capable of lifting and breaking shells in a 3lb tumbler, you'll probably want the black willow. For rockets, a tamer form of charcoal is probably desired.
Peret Posted May 29, 2012 Posted May 29, 2012 You can't mill one pound of BP at a time in a 3 pound rock tumbler. When it's half full of media the most composition you can work with is about 4 to 6 ounces, otherwise it will just roll in a mass and not mill down.
The504 Posted May 30, 2012 Author Posted May 30, 2012 (edited) You can't mill one pound of BP at a time in a 3 pound rock tumbler. When it's half full of media the most composition you can work with is about 4 to 6 ounces, otherwise it will just roll in a mass and not mill down. I'm aware of that. I can only do very little amounts. Edited May 30, 2012 by the504
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