My homemade black powder

[Markopolo]

I am pretty flush with willow...



I have several bundles like this in various stages of drying, and about 3-4 lbs of air float charcoal stored up.. so I am flush

[super6]

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/atta...8&d=1559906562 That is one thick puck. Maybe a 4x4 by 4 foot to break it up. LOL.

[Vettepilot]

I am pretty flush with willow...



I have several bundles like this in various stages of drying, and about 3-4 lbs of air float charcoal stored up.. so I am flush

If your charcoal is "Air Float", how do you weigh it? Doesn't it float?

(Just kidding!)

Vettepilot

[redhawk0]

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/atta...8&d=1559906562 That is one thick puck. Maybe a 4x4 by 4 foot to break it up. LOL.

That's what I was thinking....you might want to try a puck no thicker than 1/4" to 3/8" next time....so...what do you use to break that up. its gotta be pretty heavy and destructive to get through a "hockey puck" size.

redhawk

[Vettepilot]

Use your press.

vettepilot

[redhawk0]

Use your press.

vettepilot

Good point....sometimes my brain just ain't working so good....thanx...

redhawk

[super6]

just a thought ,metal to black. Not so good.After all it is dry.

[Markopolo]

Actually vette, I weight powder in the bag... lol.. it does try to drift away..

[Dirty Kurty]

I crack away with two short channel locks the side cutters the the ball bat and stainless bowl. I will be making stainless puck busters very soon. BTW . I have been working at the local machine shop for 30 years. "Aint guns cool".

[Dirty Kurty]

You name it . We build it.

[Dirty Kurty]

Use your press.

vettepilot

I've only just begun putting actual thought into this hobby, Now using my skills to kick it up a notch..Stainless puck buster coming soon.

[Fly]

Dirty Kurty I like your ball mill set up. Kinda fancy using the cog belt set up. I,m a ole drag racer also. Before I got into tool & die work
I was a auto machinist in Racing engine shop.My boss ran a Top fuel Dragster in the 1970s, & I ended up building A Jr Fuel Dragster. That's
when Drag Racing was fun. Good to see you aboard.

Fly

[Themoose]

Anyone ever use ash trees to make charcoal... I have lots of it that I am now burning to make charcoal from red cedar shavings...think it may be too hard, but I am still a "virgin", working on making my first batch, just waiting for the final components... thanks for your help.

Themoose

[Fly]

Oh my lord Mike you have fallen into discover the next tree dilemma (wink). That ok we all do.

Fly

[TheOutlawKid]

I am pretty flush with willow...



I have several bundles like this in various stages of drying, and about 3-4 lbs of air float charcoal stored up.. so I am flush

I was always under the assumption that you dont have to let the wood sit to dry when it comes to making charcoal. I havent noticed a difference between wood that has been left to air dry or the same freshly cut wood as far as making it into charcoal, it performed the same. Does everyone dry their wood first? Have i been doing it wrong this whole time? Cuz i put wet or dry wood into the retort for my charcoal...although i wont mix them in the retort due to i dont want to over cook my dry wood waiting for my wet wood to turn to charcoal. (I assumed the dry wood takes less time to turn into charcoal). So what do you all say/do?

[super6]

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/memb...13-Dirty-Kurty Good your thinking a head.

[Markopolo]

I dry mine cuz I just do.. I have never tried to make any with green or wet wood.. but perhaps others may know.. I just use what works for me.. plus, I make walking sticks from cool willow pieces as well so when I get the urge to carve, or make charcoal, I am ready with dry wood... and we use the bark for pain reliever and arthritis cream.

[LAGS]

Seems like Old Drag Racers end up making Black Powder.
I too went on the Circuit as a Mechanic for a Pro Stocker back in the '70's.
And Fly.
Drag Racing, just ain't what it use to be.

[Dirty Kurty]

I fired 3 shots today of Catalpa vs.Black Willow..75 grains 2f. Distance 75 yards..Started with a clean barrel for each test not swabbing between shots . The Black Willow had more fouling. It sent out a flyer. 3rd shot wandered

[Dirty Kurty]

Today the Bean Tree wins.