Ball mill - home made

Here is a basic home made ball mill for milling pyrotechnic compositions. In this (fairly shoddy iphone recorded!) video, we are milling up some meal powder (basic black powder, used as a base for a variety of pyrotechnic applications, from lifting & bursts charges, to your basic star base compound. This ball mill was put together for about $30.00 in parts. I am using an old drill to temporarily provide the mechanical drive, I will eventually be using an old vacuum cleaner motor for the the final drive, however if one wanted to use a drill forever it would work just fine, and provide a minimul of hassle negating the need for pulleys and belts!). The charge canister is moving a bit faster than 80 RPM. Inside is Lead musket balls (filling approx 1/3 of the volume). Also I glued some paddles against the interior sides (2 paddles 180 degrees across from each other (I used plastic 90 degree molding strips from Home depot) to assist with the agitation. The free wheeling roller can be moved to accommodate different sized charge canisters. I am using a 4" diameter canister in the video. It took about 2 hours to put the whole contraptions together. If you want to build one, and cannot figure it out from the video, please send me a message and I'll provide you measurements and details. Happy launching!

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• pyrotechnics
• fireworks
• black powder
• ball mill
• pyro
• meal powder
• burst charge
• lift charge

[bennySoldier]

that motor will burn out after 40 minutes man

[lodcomm]

Actually, if you were able to understand me in the video, I said that the drill was a "temporary setup" - however, even as a temporary setup I ball milled with that old craftsman drill in excess of 4 hours and it didnt even heat up..

[Adamjckay]

so you said we can get the plans on your website... whats your website?

[derekroolz]

Benny Just got PWND!!!

[rakia66]

pretty nice design you got there mate!

[9DragonMaster]

@bennySoldier yea i used a drill and ran it day and night for about a week, even in 100 degree weather, i had great results. check my vids for my ball mills. Just broke my treadmill by leaving it out in the rain while plugged in, DOH! I need a treadmill, and fast!

[Th1s1sMyAcc0untNam3]

marbles? oh no

[iwacthyourcrap]

Hey, I have to note to help you out a little bit, the volume of lead media inside your ball mill should be 1/2 not 1/3, I wish it was 1/3 as my ball mill weights 20kg of lead, and makes 1-2kg of BP in 4 hours lol :/

[mike12703]

@lodcomm i was gonna do this ill probably do it when i get round to makin black powder or rocket mix when it needs to be milled

[broerbreaker9240Z]

pretty good xD

[Ffojt]

I just felt like metioning that you can't make a 100% sure ball mill, so you shouldnt put it in an open area, and stand close to it. Rather behind your garage and something...

[MacsCanfly]

so watcha gonna use in the long run, i say get one its not easy finding a motor that can run for days or even 24 hours without burning out