11 replies to this topic

[sfxdan3]

I have to grind up a massive amount of charcoal was an effects gag. What is the best method of grinding it up to a powder?

[helix]

Are you grinding it to a course mesh size or to airfloat?

 

Airfloat then a ball mill would be the best.

 

Courser meshes - apparently a waste disposal unit works pretty well - I have yet to try this myself yet.  Definitely an outdoor job!

[Arthur Brown]

What charcoal will you start with? For BBQ charcoal get a pile of it and mash it with a hammer. For a softer pyro friendly charcoal (willow pine Alder etc) then a food blender will usually make a medium mesh and some airfloat.

Wear a good face mask to keep the dust out.

[sfxdan3]

We're using BBQ charcoal as we found it has some additive that makes it self combusting (which obviously helps when barbecuing) we tried using charcoal for use with animal digesting. But that must "be clean" as it didn't really work. I'm not sure what the mesh size is as we are only crudely mashing it up with a hammer at the moment but it is very fine powder

[icarus]

an electric meat mincer with a pillow case or sock over the output is a good pre grinder before using a ball mill,  Also always use lumpwood charcoal bricketts have cement mixed in 

[megabusa]

An afternoon in the garden with a hand operated meat mincer will generate a few Kgs of charcoal powder. You can then sieve it into various sizes for effects & ball mill the lumps to get airfloat.

[cooperman435]

I'm with megabusa, an old hand grinder works a treat but also an old food mixer with a grinder attachment works a treat for larger amounts

[digger]

I am a jammy SOD, I have one of these (previous version to this one):

 

http://www.fishersci...2_3793595__-1_0

 

Great item, it can grind to virtually any particle size distribution.

 

They do come up second hand from time to time (that where I got mine, for a tiny fraction of the face cost)

 

But to answer the original question, yes as Kenneth has said a cement mixer is great for this.

Edited by digger, 27 March 2014 - 01:49 PM.

[cooperman435]

Jealous? Me? Much? Yes :-(

[martyn]

I seem to remember someone posted a link to a cremulator on ebay a few years ago - that would presumably do a decent job!

[digger]

Sounds good to me, should crush up all the lumps effectively.

[digger]

Actually I do know of a purpose built machine that is available with media, let’s say you can fit an adult in the drum and a big one at that!

 

Yep I have seen it too, if you are refering to the one I think you are. Cracking charcoal mill

Edited by digger, 28 March 2014 - 10:09 AM.