New member + 1st try at BP
#1
Posted 03 October 2008 - 08:01 AM
I've decided to have a go at making my own BP and would like some help please. My goal is to at least make a rocket climb in to the sky and I'd love to progress further.
My questions start here.
I have worked in laboratories for about 12 years now and have aquired quite a few things in my time. I have a 1Kg container of laboratory grade powdered sulphur (99.8%). Will this be ok for a start?
I fancy having a go at making my own charcoal using willow branches from my fathers allotment. Is there an easy way? I was thinking about using the tin can packed with the above, then putting this onto my open fire at home. Will this work?
Lastly. What is the easiest way to come by some KNO3? I have a shotgun licence and I'd rather not draw any attention to myself and possibly loose my licence. Am I being a bit paranoid here?
I'd like to eventually make my own ball mill, but would a P+M do for now? Should i make a mill 1st?
From what I have read on your forum over the last week, 100g of BP is the max I can have at home without a licence. Is this right? Not that I'm bothered, I just want to stay legal!
Thank you all in advance.
#2
Posted 03 October 2008 - 08:19 AM
The sulphur will be just fine
KNo3 is easy to get a quick search will reveal where. It is not Illegal to own.
A ball mill is essential if you want to make anything really, however there are rockets (search for core burners) that dont need powder that is as fast as milled meal so you could probably still make these. You will need some screens or at least a kitchen sieve.
Use the search button it's all been asked before and stay safe.
#3
Posted 03 October 2008 - 09:31 AM
Rockets are not necessarily the easiest firework to make.
It's a fine balance between too weak a powder (no lift off) and too strong a powder (cato - bang!).
I'd go for something like a fountain (which you can certainly do with without a mill) then a wheel (again mill not essential) and then maybe for rockets - just my thoughts.
Also, making charcoal, although quite possible, is pretty much a hobby in itself, and if you want some 'instant gratification' I would buy yourself some to start off with.
Have fun!
thegreenman
#4
Posted 03 October 2008 - 12:59 PM
Will I still be within the law if i only make 100g of BP? I don't really want to upset anyone.
Once I've made my mill, can I just use the lead balls found in fishing tackle shops? What sort of size do you use?
Thank you again.
#5
Posted 03 October 2008 - 02:10 PM
But in a nutshell, the consensus is that if you stay below 100g of composition you are OK. (UK)
Size of lead balls depends on size of your mill. Even a small one would need at least 1/2" I would think. Don't know what size the ones used in fishing are... As a shooter, you might look at lead balls used in muzzle loading firearms, some of those would be big enough.
Incidentally I think in your first post you make a valid point - If you don't draw attention to yourself, you are unlikely to get anyone bothering you. If you make a nuisance of yourself, trouble making busy-bodies will come out of the woodwork in no time at all!
Edited by phildunford, 03 October 2008 - 02:14 PM.
thegreenman
#6
Posted 03 October 2008 - 06:57 PM
As a shooter, you might look at lead balls used in muzzle loading firearms, some of those would be big enough.
I'm no expert on milling media, but I can tell you that the balls used in muzzle loading are very soft. For my own media I used my ML ball moulds but cast the balls using type metal which is much harder (lead/antimony alloy). Hope this helps!
Bruce
#7
Posted 04 October 2008 - 12:22 PM
if you have a firearms license....then arnt you allowed to keep black powder.
my friend is a gamekeeper, and loads his own shells......
#8
Posted 04 October 2008 - 12:39 PM
correct me if im wrong.........
if you have a firearms license....then arnt you allowed to keep black powder.
my friend is a gamekeeper, and loads his own shells......
No, 'fraid not. You need an explosives licence for black powder - it's classed as an explosive whereas other shooters powders are classed as propellants. It isn't a big deal to get though if you use black powder for shooting.
Bruce
Edited by bwdoz, 04 October 2008 - 12:42 PM.
#9
Posted 04 October 2008 - 01:25 PM
Keep mannequins and watermelons away from fireworks..they always get hurt..
#10
Posted 04 October 2008 - 01:35 PM
If you have COER acquire and keep paperwork then the extension from shotgun ammunition to BP may be a possibility however there would be the storage issue to address as well.
Sorry Arthur, not with you. You wouldn't need COER acquire and keep for shotgun ammunition in the first place unless you were loading with black powder, then you'd have to have had one anyway - or am I completely misunderstanding your post? As regards storage, the requirements are minimal when talking in terms of BP for shooting purposes and pretty much only require a suitable box and somewhere sensible to put it.
Bruce
#11
Posted 04 October 2008 - 02:22 PM
#12
Posted 04 October 2008 - 03:20 PM
#13
Posted 04 October 2008 - 03:45 PM
Keep mannequins and watermelons away from fireworks..they always get hurt..
#14
Posted 07 October 2008 - 09:40 PM
Has anyone been in this situation before when using GD? Will they deliver it at a later date?
Thanks
Geoff
#15
Posted 08 October 2008 - 10:35 AM
Probably depends on the person who runs the courier locally - it comes in an anonymous white van - probably a local franchise. I would not worry too much.
thegreenman
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