My homemade black powder

[DoubleBuck]

VP and Ham;
Sorry to hear it for both of you. We got 2.25" rain two days ago. People around us pretty close got a lot more. Lots of flooding in NE Oklahoma and NW Arkansas. It was rather strange system. It was moving SE. Ham, I didn't know you guys were so dry. We were, until 10 days ago, when we got 2". This one put us in good shape. It was a two day soaker and we needed it. The first one it was so dry and it rained so hard, so quick, most of it didn't have time to soak in and ran off.

[HamGunner]

It's so dry here, the squirrels have started packing canteens.

[Vettepilot]

We got a light shower day before yesterday. I believe that was the first in a year.

It takes a very specific set of atmospheric conditions for us to get rain. It generally only occurs when there's been a hurricane down just west of Mexico that sends moisture northward. This only happens if the hurricane stays close to Mexico on its trek northward, plus makes it far enough north. If that moisture arrives and happens to get hit with an atmospheric wave from California, then we might, (maybe!) get a little rain.

Everything has an upside I suppose. Since nothing grows here to catch fire, shooting is never a problem.

Thanks for the thoughts/wishes Sandro. Where do you live?

Vettepilot

[Sandro_ventania]

Hi Vettepilot. I live in Brazil, in the southern part of Brazil. Although winters here drop below -10°C, we still have a lot of humidity coming from far away, from the Amazon, which favors rainfall. Without the Andes and the Amazon rainforest, this place would probably be a desert.

[Vettepilot]

Well, it sounds like a pretty nice place to live. I had a super nice gal from Brazil that worked for me when I ran a night club in Mexico. She had this special, amazing dance she would do. Can't remember the name of it, but it was very cool. We would feature it at least once a night on busy nights.

Vettepilot

[Sandro_ventania]

Probably the dance is Samba? This dance is typical of only one state, Rio de Janeiro, which has Carnival. Although it's well-known, it represents only 1% of Brazil. I hate it myself! Kkkk!

[Vettepilot]

Probably the dance is Samba? This dance is typical of only one state, Rio de Janeiro, which has Carnival. Although it's well-known, it represents only 1% of Brazil. I hate it myself! Kkkk!

Hmmm... no, very definitely not Samba. It was a solo dance, done in place to one very lively and catchy song. Man! I wish I could remember! It was 20 years ago, and my brain is old.

Anyway, each time she did the dance, I thought, "Now that gal is in good shape!!" It was a crowd pleaser each time we put her on stage for the song.

Vettepilot

[almar]

Since graphite might make the powder burn slower. What if we tumbled it with small amounts of micron aluminum powder. Like german black i think its called? It burns pretty hot...might make the powder a bit cleaner?

[trooperdan]

Since graphite might make the powder burn slower. What if we tumbled it with small amounts of micron aluminum powder. Like german black i think its called? It burns pretty hot...might make the powder a bit cleaner?

Aluminum burns and created aluminum oxide, which is pretty abrasive, just something to be aware of. Personally, I'd love to see this done!

[almar]

Dosent it take a special process to make aluminum oxide abrasive? Not sure.if it is the case, i think i read that at some point.


Edit

Aluminum Oxide Abrasive
Aluminum oxide becomes an abrasive through a manufacturing process that begins with bauxite, the primary natural source of aluminum.
The bauxite is first boiled at nearly 1000 degrees Celsius to remove water, and then combined with materials like ground coke and iron borings.
This mixture is subjected to an electric current of about 2000 degrees Celsius in a furnace, which further melts the bauxite.
After the molten material cools, it is crushed into the characteristic pyramid-shaped grains that are essential for its abrasive properties.
This process creates a tough, durable material that is widely used in various abrasive products like sandpaper, sanding belts, grinding wheels, and flap wheels.
The resulting aluminum oxide is valued for its durability, versatility, and ability to maintain sharp cutting edges, making it suitable for a broad range of materials including metals, wood, and painted surfaces.

[almar]

I found other sources saying that it would be very abrasive though and not sure if breathing in dust particles of aluminum is very good for you anyway. Ill probably leave this on the backburner personally.

its tempting though...i might experiment...

[Sandro_ventania]

The problem with aluminum is that it makes the powder sensitive to shock.

[BPJake]

Hola gentlemens. I've been reading the mad monk files that some are referencing and I see where you're getting the info. I got a thermocouple and am going to try it on the turkey fryer with a diffuser plate as was suggested. The swiss file says it must be kept under 320c, so hopefully this will be possible.

Link to the mad monk files - https://archive.org/details/mad_monk...e/CTG/mode/2up

20250903_111318 (Large).jpg20250903_104924 (Large).jpg

[BPJake]

Since graphite might make the powder burn slower. What if we tumbled it with small amounts of micron aluminum powder. Like german black i think its called? It burns pretty hot...might make the powder a bit cleaner?

This would be an interesting academic experiment but as far as practical I think we're already stretching it with the graphite, which seems dubious as nobody can really say what it does that makes swiss better than other powder. To add another layer to counteract a minor effect that may not even be detrimental sounds like chasing the dragon. It would be interesting to see tho in any case.

[Nobade]

Sulfur, aluminum powder, and an oxidizer make flash powder, an explosive. Please don't try adding Al to black powder. You may be very unhappy with the results.

[BPJake]

Sulfur, aluminum powder, and an oxidizer make flash powder, an explosive. Please don't try adding Al to black powder. You may be very unhappy with the results.

I don't think the suggestion was to actually use it in the mix but just dust it like with the graphite.

[almar]

Yeah trace amounts. Like maybe a quarter inch of a knife tip per lb

[BPJake]

Yeah trace amounts. Like maybe a quarter inch of a knife tip per lb

I wonder if it would even stick or just shake back off. The graphite seems to draw itself on like a pencil but IDK about aluminum powder.

[almar]

this german dark stuff is extremely fine it draws like a pencil too...i guess we'll see...

[HWooldridge]

this german dark stuff is extremely fine it draws like a pencil too...i guess we'll see...

I’m speculating here but suspect you’ll get a lot more “sparkler” particles. Maybe test it at night against conventional BP.

Like you said, reckon we’ll see.