Rotary Tumbler Question (Other Uses)

[JeffG]

I'm thinking about using one as a ball mill to make black powder, .50 cal. balls sulfur and charcoal . The salt peter comes way later.

CC

*muffled whump! Wife :"What the flip was that?" ...wishing I had used a longer extension cord....No thanks....

 

[Demi-human]

Skylighter.com, no ball mill nessasary. (But where's fun in that!?)

 

[cobalt327]

Hand made "green mix" if mixed wet, is pretty safe. It's even a good project for kids if supervised. In my experience a mill is a necessity for making 'weapons grade' BP, though. You can buy pre-milled ingredients but even then, a good mill will make a superior product, all else being equal.

I make BP for shotshell handloads for Pop Pop's old 12g Davenport. Started out with a HF rock tumbler and it actually made decent BP. But a dedicated mill using 6" PVC jars is so much easier to use.



Never tried making ice cream. Like to have starved when Blue Bell shut down a while back!!

 

[Demi-human]

You are correct! I did have good success with a non mill in certain projects, but a hand made batch is the best. I have many canisters so none get contaminated with other projects. Though with the trouble it takes to get the motor base up the stairway and outside, I haven't done any other projects in a while. Not to mention barricading the apparatus with concrete block out in the old shed. What size mesh do you use to corn?

 

[cobalt327]

Initially I'll use 4 mesh. After some drying time I'll process through whatever mesh I need for what I'm up to. But basically, 4 through 16 mesh meets all my needs. I like to add a little red gum if I need some extra oomph.

 

[Demi-human]

I only have a ten and sixteen and some less than professional grade sizes. And I thought bullets were expensive!