Wiley Posted March 23, 2014 Author Posted March 23, 2014 Wait, that was really ponderosa pine? WOW! My only question is, why did you mill the KN03 so long?
MWJ Posted March 23, 2014 Posted March 23, 2014 Yes it is, and because my media is 100 - .30 cal. bullets. Not the brass primer, just the bullets. It's all I have for now. I wasn't sure how they would work. I cooked the charcoal with my wood stove, and used pine firewood.
Wiley Posted March 23, 2014 Author Posted March 23, 2014 What type of pine was it? I've heard that white pine burns nicer than ponderosa.
Wiley Posted March 23, 2014 Author Posted March 23, 2014 That's inspiring! Well, now I know my first batch of BP will be made with ponderosa.
MWJ Posted March 23, 2014 Posted March 23, 2014 This is how I do make it.75/15/10 - No binderI mill my KNo3 for several hours to get a fine powder, my pine charcoal is airfloat, the sulfer is already a fine powder, I weigh out all of the chems, screen them in a 40 mesh screen three times, (probably not necessary but I do it anyway). Then I ball mill for 18 - 24 hours, then I either use denatured al. or water. Denatured Al. seems to make it a lot faster. To granulate I first push the wet comp through a 20 mesh screen, let that dry over night, then push it through the same 20 mesh screen again then sift the dust through a 40 mesh. what ever doesn't go through the 40, I keep as usable BP, the dust I either granulate again the same way or I keep it for Black match or quick match. If I intend to use it for BM or QM I definitely use denatured Al. as a solvent. I want it as fast as I can make it. I just got some Paulownia seeds and plan on growing as many trees as I can on five acres. I will be offering free seeds to anyone on this forum if this all works out.
dynomike1 Posted March 23, 2014 Posted March 23, 2014 I just started using Black willow instead of Paulownia and i really can't see any difference without doing extensive testing.
MWJ Posted March 23, 2014 Posted March 23, 2014 Black willow grows in my zone too! Maybe I'll get some of that along with the Paulownia. Looks like a nice shade tree. Wiley, post the results of your BP, I'd realy like to know how it turns out for you.
FlaMtnBkr Posted March 24, 2014 Posted March 24, 2014 Just so you know, Paulownia is a non-native invasive species. Because it is fast growing and gets big, it will take over forested areas and choke out and kill the native hard woods. I have heard that knowingly planting Paulownia in Florida is illegal and you can get some hefty fines. Not sure if that is true, but I do know a restaurant in town was just fined $100,000 for cutting down 2 big granddaddy oaks. I'm sure many don't care, but I hate to see our natural areas destroyed. I'm very conservative, yet I'm a big tree hugger which normally don't go together for some reason. If there are other trees that work almost as good for BP that is personally my choice to use what is naturally available. Especially when willow grows almost everywhere, is easy to identify and find near water, and makes great BP. Now if I found Paulownia naturally growing, I would use the heck out of it and chop down every one I could find. I have looked at them but thankfully I have yet to find one while roaming the woods. I know Chinaberry is supposed to also make hot BP, and is another invasive species. Using my FPAG BP tester, 4g of Goex is supposed to give a 5 sec flight time. Willow, and many others I tried have 7-7.5 sec flight time. I have tried about a dozen different species from my property and most are about equal to Goex or better. One tree that is on my property that I have yet to identify gave a 9 sec flight time. I am curious to see what Paulownia and balsa do. But almost twice as long flight time seems pretty impressive to me. One that surprised me and wasn't very powerful was wild grape vine. But it was big, older growth vine. I think much of what is used for BP is small diameter clippings from vineyards and might be the difference. There are many variables, and just the time of year can change things as sap levels vary thru the year in most trees.
Sparx88 Posted March 24, 2014 Posted March 24, 2014 Black willow grows in my zone too! Maybe I'll get some of that along with the Paulownia. Looks like a nice shade tree. Wiley, post the results of your BP, I'd realy like to know how it turns out for you. If you plant and grow paul's in your property just plant them together and cut away any saplings that may sprout around them and you'll be fine. They grow to maturity in 6 years (40-60 ft) And yes, they are the fastest growing hard wood, and they have pretty purple flowers that scent the whole area. They smell awsome. And they also attract hummingbirds like crazy, it's cool to watch them dart about. And the wood is surprisingly very lite for a hardwood and have beautiful grain. Oh ya, and they make great bp Heck I mean I could gather a bunch of seed pods this year and mail them to you.
hindsight Posted March 24, 2014 Posted March 24, 2014 "Just so you know, Paulownia is a non-native invasive species. Because it is fast growing and gets big, it will take over forested areas and choke out and kill the native hard woods. I have heard that knowingly planting Paulownia in Florida is illegal and you can get some hefty fines."If you like, could sent you some Russian Olive tree seeds, too. I understand they grow very well in your country .
nater Posted March 24, 2014 Posted March 24, 2014 The problem with invasive species is that you cannot contain them to your own property. Either by evolution or design depending your your belief, the plants will be impossible to contain to your own property. The seeds will spread due to animals and the elements. Just a thought. I am with FlaMtnBkr on this one. Respect your local laws and your local species before introducing something new. Or just check them. It may not be a problem where you are. You may also have awesome wood for BP and be able to gather all you will need for a lifetime.
Bobosan Posted March 24, 2014 Posted March 24, 2014 Around here you can find several old growth Paulownia wood splits every time one stocks up on firewood. Easy to spot by weight and texture.
TYRONEEZEKIEL Posted March 24, 2014 Posted March 24, 2014 If anyone has paulownia seed I would be extremely grateful if some made it my way! 1
Sparx88 Posted March 24, 2014 Posted March 24, 2014 (edited) True, nature finds a way. When I bought this place it came with 9 acres 3 of them are cleared where the house is and the 2 pauls that I have were here already and 60 ft tall, with no others around at all. The person I bought this place from said he planted them 10 years before I got here, thats 20 years now. And you don't have to let them grow that tall, if you prune them every winter you'll have the best looking and smelling shrub around. It's too late for that with mine the trunks are 16" thick now. I use a 10' extension ladder to harvest branches for charcoal lol. Just do your research and be responsible about it. I'm now making it a mission to plant a couple different willows this summer. Having a steady resource of free high end wood for BP is something I can live with Edited March 24, 2014 by Sparx88
MWJ Posted March 24, 2014 Posted March 24, 2014 I have five acres and only one tree. I live in Eastern Wash. and have few trees here except for the state land. I did ask DNR (since I fight fires with them) about introducing Paul... to my property and they said it's fine. I hope they do go wild and grow everywhere. More charcoal for all of us! I would love to have more seeds Sparxs88. Anything from Russia would be awesome too! If these do grow I want to take starts to get more. I would love to be able to offer Paul... wood and or charcoal for people here on APC. I would like to give back somehow and have little money so this might be the way. If anyone has paulownia seed I would be extremely grateful if some made it my way!I got some seeds (200+) on Ebay for $1.43 including shipping. The seeds I got are very very tiny so I hope I got the right ones.
Sparx88 Posted March 24, 2014 Posted March 24, 2014 Yes they are small, pear/tear shaped and light brown. Germinate in some small starter cups and plant when about a foot tall I'm told in late spring/ early summer in your area. Pauls will grow in zones 4-9 and will tolerate -30 temps in winter. 1
Bobosan Posted March 24, 2014 Posted March 24, 2014 A couple of short vids of the Paul I have here. Leaves are pear shaped and can reach 7-9" in breadth during mid growth. This one has been here since I moved in 25 years ago and is getting crowded out by other surrounding trees. As Sparx mentioned, the flowers are tulip shaped and very very fragrant. http://youtu.be/UNOzcgIucXE http://youtu.be/pFkoK7Rig8o
hindsight Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 FlaMtnBkr,If you don't mind, I'll send the seeds to you, along with the tegus and Burmese pythons I promised.
FlaMtnBkr Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 That would be great. I will blend them all promptly into a nice soup. And it will be less available for other people to irresponsibly plant. I will send anyone all the willow charcoal they want if they pay for shipping and promise not to plant a non-native invasive plant. I find it strange that people would take the time and energy to plant something that they know can negatively effect the environment. Especially when anyone can go to Wal-Mart and buy eastern red cedar pet bedding for a fraction of what just shipping would cost to send wood or charcoal and makes BP as fast as Paulownia (not almost, as it has been proven to be as hot with a rocket thrust test stand). 1
MWJ Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 Wiley: Don't forget to ball mill your BP (safely) after you make it. That really makes a huge difference. If you're not sure how to mill it safely please ask and we'll be happy to help out. We don't want any to get hurt. Mike
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