How to Make Blackpowder (a.k.a gunpowder)

Black powder is the base of many pyrotechnic projects and is very versatile. This instructable will show you how to make it and where to find the materials.


Disclaimer :
Any damage or harm done to people or property is not my or this websites (www.instructables.com) fault and i will not be held responsible. Also any comments on this tutorial are the sole responsibility of their writers and the writer will take full responsibility, liability, and blame for any libel or litigation that results from something written in or as a direct result of something written in a comment. The accuracy, completeness, veracity, honesty, exactitude, factuality and politeness of comments are not guaranteed. Also,  please note this may not be legal in your country/state and ,if not, it isn't my fault if your caught.

Step 1: Sourcing the materials.

Potassium nitrate: Some stump removers contain it.
Sulfur: Can be found in chemists and garden centres (Look for flowers of sulfur)
Charcoal: Can be found in barbeques, supermarkets, the bottom of fires or you can make your own.

Or if you live in the UK you can go here http://www.oliverbrown.co.uk 

Comments

[daisyalan]

(removed by author or community request)

[daisyalan]

(removed by author or community request)

[daisyalan]

(removed by author or community request)

[daisyalan]

(removed by author or community request)

[Don,t try this at home]

Please do not use the coffee grinder you will get yourself hurt or burn your house down doing that!!!. Go on ebay and buy a ball mill. Trust me its alot cheeper then the hospital bill or buying a new house.

[AtomRat]

You just noted at the end that a 65, 30,10 mixture is slower? I've found this mix to be faster!? Why do you think we have these differences?? Im using KNO3, willow, and sulfur. With the standard BP mix, I packed into a tube and got no lift, but with the 65,30,10 mix I did get lift off. Whats going on here

[daisyalan]

I don't know. The 60:30:10 should burn slower due less oxidiser and more carbon and it always works for me.

[AtomRat]

Very odd, I made one last night with sorry: 65, 25, 10 mixture. I got my tube to launch 30 meters into the air and burns for 4 seconds. I swear the normal mix only made smoke pour out the nozzle. I'll attempt again. Maybe my nozzle was too large back then

[volvojb]

Please Please PLEASE if you must do this, DO NOT GRIND the black powder mix and DO NOT USE PLASTIC for mixing bowls. Black powder (gunpowder, same thing) is static and friction sensitive. I have investigated incidents where people have sustained serious bodily injuries from black powder autoignition. The industry standard is copper or brass (both non-sparking) for mixing and pouring. At the least.earth yourself with an earthing strap and benchtop mat (about $20 tops).

[rimar2000]

Please, between point 1 and 2 in step 3, is INDISPENSABLE to wash the grinder. Otherwise the residual potassium nitrate will ignite the sulphur.

More: it is A VERY BAD IDEA to grind all ingredients together. Surely the powder will ignite.

[daisyalan]

I have changed the ible. Thankyou for pointing that out!!!

[daisyalan]

I have changed the ible. Thankyou for pointing that out!!!

[rimar2000]

You are welcome. Well done!

[Kiteman]

Be very, very careful grinding any mixed lumps in a coffee grinder - friction can generate enough heat to set it off.

(It would be nice if you could include suggestions for where to buy the ingredients, and I, personally, would like to see a video of your mix going off?)

[daisyalan]

(removed by author or community request)

[daisyalan]

Have done