272 replies to this topic

[skipjack]

hi sasman!

yeah, i know... i've been a lil lazy with posting over the past few months
i didnt do any strobe-shells lately as i was working on the improvement of my 5"-tigertail shells.
i have a few clips but first i have to find a new webspace for the files, as my old one got canceled.
any recommendations?

@LadyKate: solid brass/copper bars also would've been my next stage in finding the perfect millingmedia, but the price of those bars kinda got me into hesitation.

@prettygreenflames: well... those balls arent really one like another... so i would have to mark one ball before milling... and then succeed in finding that certain ball again after the milling.
kinda laborious, considering that they'ere all covered in airfloat... i guess i rather will check the input-output-weight of the composition again with my next milling-session.

[Draco_Americanus]

Have any of you guys used stainless steel media? I have been using .5 inch 440C stainless steel balls in my mill with no problems. as far as I understand stainless is not prone to sparking and they don't errode away like the lead does.

[skipjack]

well... my leadmedia definately does wear off ...
... big time actually!!!

but meanwhile i found a company who sells brassrods at a good price, so i'll soon be able to inform you about my experiences with brass media.

@Draco_Americanus: if you mill the chemicals seperately, i guess stainless steel is okay. but i strongly wouldnt recommend you to mill BP or another igniteable composition with stainless steel!
they ARE able to give off sparks.

[Draco_Americanus]

Thank you for the recomendation, I have milled BP twice and will not attempt that agen with the stainless media. I did just order ceramic media from an e-bay vendor and hopefully that should work for the BP as I realy do wish to avoid lead.
The stainless seems to work very well for other items, it's very easy to clean as well.

[Ritual33]

Just a quick question, could money i.e, coins be used as safe milling media? I dont have any milling media atm, but I do have alot of copper if it can be used temp.

Regards,
Drew

[sizzle]

Coins are usually coated in years worth of dirt and grime, I don't think that could to the chemicals you are mixing any good. Also, "copper" coins are actually made of a few different metals, I am sure they can spark.

[Ritual33]

Okie dokie, if I use em it'll be in very small quantities, need to find somewhere that sells good media.

Regards,
Drew

[sizzle]

The best media to get would be Ceramic or Lead, neither of which spark so are good for mixing fountain mixes, star mixes and BP. A quick Google search will tell you where you can get some.

[Ritual33]

Indeed, I was just wondering thats all, till my order comes through. Thanks.

Regards,
Drew

[Frozentech]

The best media to get would be Ceramic or Lead, neither of which spark so are good for mixing fountain mixes, star mixes and BP. A quick Google search will tell you where you can get some.

Shun the milling of compositions. Separate chems are OK, with uncontaminated jars and media, but I wouldn't mill a mix other than basic KNO3, C & S.

[sizzle]

Shun the milling of compositions. Separate chems are OK, with uncontaminated jars and media, but I wouldn't mill a mix other than basic KNO3, C & S.

Good point actually, I still have to use the CIA method, still can't afford a ball mill, maybe one day...

[Draco_Americanus]

No matter what way you make your BP, a mill is allmost allways manditory, even a cheap rock tumbler is better then nothing. I mill first and then use the CIA method myself, so far it seems to work well.

[Phoenix]

I haven't used heaxagonal bars, but I suspect that you may find that milled powder tended to accumulate on the flat sides of the hexagonal bars under certain conditions. When it gets fine it can start to stick to the flat ends of circular ones. Cylinders are easier to keep clean, and for milling things other than metals the sharper edges would probably offer little or no benefit.

[Frozentech]

I haven't used heaxagonal bars, but I suspect that you may find that milled powder tended to accumulate on the flat sides of the hexagonal bars under certain conditions. When it gets fine it can start to stick to the flat ends of circular ones. Cylinders are easier to keep clean, and for milling things other than metals the sharper edges would probably offer little or no benefit.

I use 3/4" X 1" long brass hex bar for my media. I've never seen BP stick to it at all, one time I did have a bit of balsa wood BP stick to the ends like Phoenix describes. I can make excellent meal powder in 2 hours of milling. I had to use 1/2" lead balls for 4 hours to get the equal of it. Someday I will try out some 3/4" round bar stock just for comparison, but in the meantime, they all work well enough to get the job done.