Cheap and Simple Ball Mill

Last year for the Fourth of July, I wanted to make some black powder to celebrate American freedom with a bang. However, one step in the manufacture of black powder is running it in a ball mill to grind it into a fine powder. I was not in possession of a ball mill, and Independence Day was quickly approaching, so I decided to make my own.

Step 1: Parts and Tools

Below are the parts and tools that I used to make this ball mill. However, keep in mind that these are more guidelines than anything, and I encourage you to experiment with different sizes, parts, and designs.

Parts:

• 1 length of PVC pipe (I used 6" of 2" diameter pipe)
• 1 PVC flat end cap
• 1 PVC male screw adapter
• 1 PVC female screw cap
• PVC cement (I didn't use any, but I would next time)
• 1 threaded rod (I used 5/16"-18 threads)
• 3 nylon locking nuts (5/16"-18)
• 1 wing nut (5/16"-18)
• 1 coupling nut (5/16"-18)
• 1 hex bolt (5/16"-18, make sure the bolt is only threaded about halfway)
• Balls for the mill (ideally lead balls)

Tools:

• Drill
• 5/16" drill bit (or whatever the diameter of your threaded rod is)
• Wrench for the locking nuts
• Hacksaw
• Vise-Grips / locking pliers
• Small rag

Comments

[jeanluc83]

I like it, nice and simple.

I have considered making my own black powder for use in my cannons. For the most part I have talked my self out of it. Everything I have read has indicated consistency problems with home made powder. But at $16 a lb plus hazmat fees it can get expensive in a hurry when you start using 1/4 lb or more per shot.