Black Powder Problem

[Bobosan]

Any wood can be cooked in a retort. Most folks just use what is readily (free) available in their area. The two most used methods; TLUD which is best for shavings and small chunks and the traditional external heated retort cooker which turn larger sticks into usable charcoal.

 

Check this site for charcoal burn rate comparisons.

 

 

[BurritoBandito]

It's debatable what the "best" BP is. Willow and paulownia both make fast BP. Sappy woods like pine make good coal for stars, fountains, and rockets, as they are good spark emitters.

[FlaMtnBkr]

TLUD will also work with wood splits. I've used them a little smaller than an inch square and 6-8" long.

 

A TLUD is a lot easier than a retort unless you just have a camp fire readily available and don't mind working in small batches. For bigger retorts, you will probably need to rig something for even heating.

[Bobosan]

TLUD will also work with wood splits. I've used them a little smaller than an inch square and 6-8" long.

 

A TLUD is a lot easier than a retort unless you just have a camp fire readily available and don't mind working in small batches. For bigger retorts, you will probably need to rig something for even heating.

 

Yeah,TLUD will work with wood splits but tends to overcook them plus you need an accelerant to get them going. Shavings start with just a flame touch.

 

Don't need a campfire for retort, just a grill, hardware cloth and some briquets.

 

[DanielC]

Were you using dextrin or any binders. Without a binder granulated BP grains are still soft and can crush easily during handling and construction. If your powder is clumping that is a good sign it is well milled. Back to the charcoal. Unless you live in an apartment in the middle of the city you can make good reactive charcoal in literally minutes. Look up 1 gallon TLUD as was stated earlier and just use cedar or pine pet bedding. There was a tutorial on the 1 gal TLUD either here or Fireworking. It really could not get much easier. I believe any charcoal you make yourself is better than commercial charcoal. Also you have some satisfaction of knowing you made it. Save the commercial airfloat for stars.

[Merlin]

I am having same problem using air float. BP very weak. Getting 8 lbs of lump willow but wonder the best way to prepare it for milling. I have found out BP is science+ art. In am using Goex in salutes as a standard for comparison.

[schroedinger]

Take the lumbs a crush em in bag in a bucket using a 4x4 wood. If the lumps are small enough to fit into a meat mincer use that. After that just throw 'em into your ball jill

[FlaMtnBkr]

BP really isn't hard to make. It does take the right equipment though, like most things require to do well. If you have a good mill, media, and charcoal then you will make good BP. If you are trying to use a rock tumbler and a couple pounds of media then you may never make really great BP.

[TYRONEEZEKIEL]

Yeah. It isn't hard to make, but it does take some decent understanding of the process before it becomes intuitive. Like FLA said. Right equipment and chems it's really a no Brainerd to make great BP.