5 replies to this topic

[Potassium chlorate]

How do I clean my ball mill, if I want to mill other stuff than black powder and BP similar compositions?

Is it possible to get the drum and milling media completely free from sulfur?

My fellow Swede here uses NaOH, diluted hydrochloric acid, diluted acetic acid and a mix of citric and ascorbic acid. I'm especially sceptical to the use of hydrochloric acid, even if it's just 15%.

How to clean you milling media

Edited by Pyroswede, 09 October 2009 - 03:41 PM.

[cooperman435]

I use dry sand or BBQ charcoal to clean mine,

But Id recommend never using the same container or balls with any sulphur and then chlorate whatever you clean them with.

[dr thrust]

agreed with cooperman, be safe and save time by having a few dedicated mill jars and media, its the only way forward i myself have eight jars of various sizes,
no1 for large bp batchs,
no2 small bp batches,
no 3 airfloat charcoal,
no4 for milling coarse to fine pot perc.
no5 chlorates( hardly used lol)
no6 for magnalium,
no7 pot benzoate ( really really messy)
no 8... hmmm spare
how do you manage with one jar? lol

Edited by chris m, 09 October 2009 - 07:58 PM.

[Arthur Brown]

1/ you will never clean the mill!
Use a selected inter batch or use a batch of inert material,

Best use two mill drums with their own set of media each.

Some rocketeers talk of using a mix of Kitty Litter as an intermediate, inert material that needs grinding for making plugs and nozzles.

You could use charcoal as an inter batch.

[Potassium chlorate]

OK, it seems like I have to make whole new drum.

[PyroCreationZ]

I had the same question but Cooperman already gave me an answer
I am using different jars & media as well. To me that is the only safe way.
I wouldn't risk using the same drum especially if you're going to mill chlorates.