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Posted: 2/27/2026 11:43:04 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Abearir][Edited]
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Edit Anyone using the Thumler Model B to dry mill? If so, how big of a batch do you do and what's you filled drum weigh? End edit Anyone here forge forth and make their own? Swiss is the goal for velocity and cleanliness. Anyone have success? Primary use will be 3F in revolvers. Looking to run a batch 77-13-10 Edit: Struggling making charcoal. I just can't seem to get it hot enough to convert. |
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Lots of variables in making good, fast, clean powder… I know because though I’m getting respectable velocities I’m still getting goex dirty results. I haven’t purified the KNO3 nor measured the densities of the pucks but thats my next endeavor and still experimenting with different woods So really I’m no help except maybe keep upping the burn temps/time for the charcoal *or maybe splitting the wood in smaller pieces? Several good ytube vids on the subject. everythingblackpowder are probably the best ones out there as you probably know |
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Originally Posted By gODZOOKIE: Lots of variables in making good, fast, clean powder… I know because though I’m getting respectable velocities I’m still getting goex dirty results. I haven’t purified the KNO3 nor measured the densities of the pucks but thats my next endeavor and still experimenting with different woods So really I’m no help except maybe keep upping the burn temps/time for the charcoal *or maybe splitting the wood in smaller pieces? Several good ytube vids on the subject. everythingblackpowder are probably the best ones out there as you probably know Thanks for the input. This batch I tried cottonelle. It did convert and mill well but it definitely wasn't what I expected to see opening the can. It was fully black but still soft. It was really weird. But the mill powdered it in minutes. Next step is actual production and milling. Sadly it's going to have to wait a bit as yet another family emergency and a death occurred late yesterday.. |
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I have delved into the mystical science of Bp making. It’s pretty addicting but to do it right you have to have the right tools up front. Efficient ball mill, pucking die, press, screens, something to cook charcoal, and time. So far with my beech powder I am around 1400 fps with 70g of 3f, under a 405g bullet in my 45/70. About 150 fps faster than Swiss. The fun part is experimenting with all the diffferent factors to get the cleanest, fastest powder |
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Originally Posted By Libilaw: I have delved into the mystical science of Bp making. It’s pretty addicting but to do it right you have to have the right tools up front. Efficient ball mill, pucking die, press, screens, something to cook charcoal, and time. So far with my beech powder I am around 1400 fps with 70g of 3f, under a 405g bullet in my 45/70. About 150 fps faster than Swiss. The fun part is experimenting with all the diffferent factors to get the cleanest, fastest powder That's awesome. I'm set up pretty good with equipment. Sourcing carbon sources is a bit of a challenge. When I get some time, I'm heading to the river to cut some willow. Lord knows which one of a hundred subspecies it is. I've got a big chunk of old cottonwood drying. Probably be next year before it's ready. |
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I haven't delved too deeply into it, but I see no reason for you to wait for the wood to dry. The charcoal making process will dry it out plenty. Everything Black Powder is a great youtube channel that experiments with various charcoal sources, mill times, granulations, pucking density, and anything else you can think of. There is also a multi-hundred page thread on the subject on the castboolit site. |
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Originally Posted By Jayne_Cobb: I haven't delved too deeply into it, but I see no reason for you to wait for the wood to dry. The charcoal making process will dry it out plenty. Everything Black Powder is a great youtube channel that experiments with various charcoal sources, mill times, granulations, pucking density, and anything else you can think of. There is also a multi-hundred page thread on the subject on the castboolit site. I'll have to log in over there and check it out. Never knew it was there. Thanks |
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Originally Posted By Ramcharger_pilot: Would lump charcoal for BBQ work? No. It's made from hardwood, while what you want for this is the softest wood you can find. Balsa was mentioned here. Willow is also great. I got a whole mess of willow from a neighbor's downed tree, and I've made good charcoal from it. I made a retort from a simple steel 5-gallon can, and I put stovepipe into the top. It makes great charcoal. I cut all the wood up into about 2 cubic inch blocks before cooking it; it helps with uniformity. The castboolits thread on it is the bible for making your own BP. Unfortunately, all the gems of info are buried in some 600 pages of chatter. https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?103852-My-homemade-black-powder |
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I made my first pound last year, used 2rolls of toilet paper in a paint can and cooked it on a turkey fryer. I dry milled in in my frankford arsenal wet tumbler with 9MM bullets as media. It came out all right, but i didn't have any way to puck it and grind it so I corned it through a screen. I have a pucking die now and will use a vice to press my next batch. I'm using the 77-13-10 as well. I want to get the powder works going this year since the prices of BP have gone up considerably. I don't think my model of tumbler spins fast enough. |
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Originally Posted By R71: I made my first pound last year, used 2rolls of toilet paper in a paint can and cooked it on a turkey fryer. I dry milled in in my frankford arsenal wet tumbler with 9MM bullets as media. It came out all right, but i didn't have any way to puck it and grind it so I corned it through a screen. I have a pucking die now and will use a vice to press my next batch. I'm using the 77-13-10 as well. I want to get the powder works going this year since the prices of BP have gone up considerably. I don't think my model of tumbler spins fast enough. I've had pretty good success with powders. This tumbler, as modified, is just fast enough at 60rpm. I think I may need to remove some media as it's pretty heavy and will slip or break an occasional belt. Loaded with product the drum weighs 20 lbs total. |
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