22 replies to this topic

[Geoff]

Hello everyone, I'm new to all of this so forgive me if I'm speaking garbage.

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.

[maxman]

Welcome Geoff,First off I wouldn't cook charcoal on a fire in the house if thats what you mean. The smoke given off will choke you, make your house look like its on fire and you'll never have time for pyro as you'll be redecorating for the next few years! Do it outside. Also it is possible for the can to explode wich is something else you could do without. Outside is a must!

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.

[phildunford]

Welcome Geoff...

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!

[Geoff]

Thank you both for the reply.

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.

[phildunford]

If you have a search around the forums, you should find both these topics discussed at much length!

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.

[bwdoz]

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

[wjames]

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......

[bwdoz]

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.

[Arthur Brown]

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.

[bwdoz]

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

[pyrotechnist]

You are allowed to store a maximum of 15KG black powder within a suitable container made out of 18mm plywood (outer) with 6mm plywood separation walls (within the box). This can only be done though if you have a COER Acquire and Keep. If you need more than 15KG black powder then you need a registered storage container which is issued to you by your local fire department.

[bwdoz]

That's how I understood it, thanks.

[Arthur Brown]

Holding shotgun permissions (inc ammunition) will ease your application for COER for BP small storage as several of the checks are done lready. in to UK storage is to MSER and regulated by HSE and your local authority.

[Geoff]

My first batch of KNO3 is due to arrive tomorrow from GD, only problem is no one will be in to take receipt.
Has anyone been in this situation before when using GD? Will they deliver it at a later date?

Thanks

Geoff

[phildunford]

Last time I was in this situation, they dumped a 25Kg sack of KNO3 in my front garden! Fortunately no one pinched it...

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.