laser200 Posted August 27, 2009 Posted August 27, 2009 (edited) Here is my little Ball Mill/Rock Tumbler. I got this at Hobby Lobby. I uped the power supply on it from 9 volts to 12. This turned up the RPM's to about 90.....I make excellent lift powder in about 3-4 hours. Just an idea for anyone who wants to make small batches...Cost $30.00....... Edited August 27, 2009 by laser200
firetech Posted August 27, 2009 Posted August 27, 2009 No one here is really interested in something that you bought. This is just another useless new thread that aggravates the guys who have been here a while, especially the mods. Make sure you search for ball mill threads before you start a new one. There are quite a few around here. So pick one and post it there.
laser200 Posted August 28, 2009 Author Posted August 28, 2009 No one here is really interested in something that you bought. This is just another useless new thread that aggravates the guys who have been here a while, especially the mods. Make sure you search for ball mill threads before you start a new one. There are quite a few around here. So pick one and post it there. Seems like this member (who has not been here even a year yet) has gotten upset over this post and speaks for everyone. I do appologise to him and anyone else this has upset. Yes I bought this. Yes I am new at pyrotechnics. Yes I searched the forum first. Yes I am a new member here. During my search I did not encounter a rock tumbler like this one so instead of treading on someone elses post about their mill I thought I would post this one which is sold at a chain store (Hobby Lobby) in most areas and anyone can obtain one. It has ridges inside it that really aggitates the powder and causes it to tumble really well. Its great for 100 gram batches...SO anyways thats all I was trying to advise anyone. I think i will go hang out at the newbie section now...
TheSidewinder Posted August 28, 2009 Posted August 28, 2009 Leave the Moderating to the Moderators, please. This thread is fine, given that it shows a tumbler of a size I haven't personally seen before. If it does the job, and costs that little, others may find it useful.
laser200 Posted August 28, 2009 Author Posted August 28, 2009 Yes sir it does run off an a/c d/c converter. It came with a 9volt but I use a 12volt supply I had laying around. The other thing I did was do away with the electronic timer because it only had days and weeks plus it didnt like the 12volt input very well so I hard wired the power to the motor. I have a switch 25ft from it that I use to turn it on. It has a gear in the middle and the tumblers rubber ring sits on it. So far no problems. The little motor doesnt even get hardly warm...Kinda noisy though...I have made 4lbs bp with it so far...I was using lead media and it made it pretty heavy and it did struggle a little. But this ceramic is just right and it works so much better... I also have a harbor freight dual drum...Im not knocking it but this other little tumbler makes great bp in over half the time...Must be something to do with the ridges...
laser200 Posted August 29, 2009 Author Posted August 29, 2009 Good to know an alternative is out there that's affordable. Do you know if the jars are available separately? Good question...Im not sure but Ill try and find out and post it here....
Mario1 Posted August 29, 2009 Posted August 29, 2009 (edited) $30? Thats cheap. Im going to have to go check these out at my local Hobby Lobby. Do you know the exact name of the item by any chance? And did the media come with it or did you buy your own? Edit: Never mind I searched Hobby Lobby my self. I going to buy one too. Still wondering about the media though. Edited August 29, 2009 by Mario1
Mumbles Posted August 29, 2009 Posted August 29, 2009 Given we're not using them for their intended purposes, no media is not included. It will have to be procured separately.
laser200 Posted August 29, 2009 Author Posted August 29, 2009 Given we're not using them for their intended purposes, no media is not included. It will have to be procured separately. Like Mumbles said. You will have to get some media. I used 44cal. lead bullets for a while but I ordered those ceramic ones and they work a LOT better.....
Mumbles Posted August 29, 2009 Posted August 29, 2009 Unless you got the ceramic from a reputable supplier (Dave Sleeter or Joel Harmon), I wouldn't use them for live material. There is a specific grade that is made by Coors-tek that is designed for the explosives industry, and designed not to spark. The surplus stuff being sold by the ceramics company in Texas does not have this special grade. I'm planning on getting some, and will only be using it for lone chemicals.
laser200 Posted August 29, 2009 Author Posted August 29, 2009 (edited) Unless you got the ceramic from a reputable supplier (Dave Sleeter or Joel Harmon), I wouldn't use them for live material. There is a specific grade that is made by Coors-tek that is designed for the explosives industry, and designed not to spark. The surplus stuff being sold by the ceramics company in Texas does not have this special grade. I'm planning on getting some, and will only be using it for lone chemicals. Mumbles,Yikes. I have heard about that( After i got these) These are Alumina non sparking from pyrocreation... http://www.pyrocreations.com/ball_mills___media Are these the good ones or bad ones???? Scott Edited August 29, 2009 by laser200
Ventsi Posted August 31, 2009 Posted August 31, 2009 (edited) Mumbles,Yikes. I have heard about that( After i got these) These are Alumina non sparking from pyrocreation... http://www.pyrocreations.com/ball_mills___media Are these the good ones or bad ones???? Scott Sorry, a bit off topic but: OMFG! Thanks you , I had been looking for this site for months, and could never remember the name. Finaly a good price on Chi.Time fuse. I'm still looking for good media so if these are OK for BP , please let me know. I hate looking for cheap brass round stock. Edit: Has anyone tried their paper fuse? It seems like it be nice for QM but IDK. If not I'll be getting the super fast grey fuse. Edited August 31, 2009 by Ventsi
Mario1 Posted August 31, 2009 Posted August 31, 2009 Ok I just bought one. Im making a 100 gram batch of basic blackpowder. (75/15/10). Im using 40 nickles for media. Hope that grinds it down. Some of the charcoal is still not completely powdered but Im going to screen if afer so it doesnt matter. How long should I keep it running? 5 hours?
laser200 Posted August 31, 2009 Author Posted August 31, 2009 Ok I just bought one. Im making a 100 gram batch of basic blackpowder. (75/15/10). Im using 40 nickles for media. Hope that grinds it down. Some of the charcoal is still not completely powdered but Im going to screen if afer so it doesnt matter. How long should I keep it running? 5 hours? Im not really sure with nickles. If you have upped the voltage on it to 12 volts I would guess 4 hours.....You might just have to try different times and test the powder on those times until you get it the way you want it...
Mario1 Posted August 31, 2009 Posted August 31, 2009 Im using a lot of nickles, quarters, dimes and pennies. They are working pretty good so far. They have been in for more that 2 hours. Ill test a little around 3-4 hours in.
Seymour Posted September 1, 2009 Posted September 1, 2009 Mario, the jar should be half filled with media. Do Forty nickels do that? If they don't, then your mill will be much less efficient than it should be.
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