Homemade Tumbler

[Eyes Of Death]

This is my tumbler. I think it was easy to make. The speed reduction is the tricky part. Some wear in the 30 to 40 RPM range is a good target speed. To slow and the stuff in side slides down the walls. To fast centrifugal force holds the stuff to the sides and makes it off balance. Then it will go flying off the tumbler. I drive doth rods the container sits on. This way it has to roll and cant just slip on the drive roller. The rollers are nothing more the 3/4 rod with 3/4 heater hose slid on them. Like you would find from the heater core to the radiator in your car. The rollers turn on bronze bushings and are held in place by collar stops or shaft stops welded in place. The container is PVC pipe one end caped and one end has a reducer to 4". And a 4" rubber test cap. I don't tighten the 4" cap on just friction fit. The large section is 6" PVC 16" long. I can fill it completely full with charcoal and 3 brass rods 15" long and have a fine powder in one hour.

[Double D]

EoD,

I split this off as it seemed not related to Gray's powder making thread.  Then after splitting off I realized it is relevant to powder making.  Sadly we have no undo or merge function to put it back...

My apologies.

[Zulu]

This is my tumbler. I think it was easy to make. The speed reduction is the tricky part. Some wear in the 30 to 40 RPM range is a good target speed. To slow and the stuff in side slides down the walls. To fast centrifugal force holds the stuff to the sides and makes it off balance. Then it will go flying off the tumbler. I drive doth rods the container sits on. This way it has to roll and cant just slip on the drive roller. The rollers are nothing more the 3/4 rod with 3/4 heater hose slid on them. Like you would find from the heater core to the radiator in your car. The rollers turn on bronze bushings and are held in place by collar stops or shaft stops welded in place. The container is PVC pipe one end caped and one end has a reducer to 4". And a 4" rubber test cap. I don't tighten the 4" cap on just friction fit. The large section is 6" PVC 16" long. I can fill it completely full with charcoal and 3 brass rods 15" long and have a fine powder in one hour.

EOD,
What is that cannon in the background.  Tell us about it.  It looks heavy.
Zulu

[RocklockI]

  Hokie Mookie ! That is the way to go ! I crushed 5 oz in half a day . 

[Double D]

Wonder if you can get some brass or no spark bals from Fox?

[RocklockI]

Whats wrong with Fox balls ? it's only grinding charcoal isnt it ?

[Double D]

Whats wrong with Fox balls ? it's only grinding charcoal isnt it ?

I was thinking of grinding cake.  They should be fine for charcoal.

[Eyes Of Death]

I use the brass rods for the charcoal and have a different container for the mixing of the final BP. I use lead balls of different sizes in the BP container and mix for 24 hours. That is my GB cannon  170#  tube 5" diameter at breach.


That's ok Double D

[GGaskill]

I don't think you want the powder to be ground in the last steps; crushed and screened but you aren't looking for a finely ground finished product.

[Eyes Of Death]

The ball milling is the final mixing and grinding of the BP. I then wet it and press in to cakes. Let dry then break up and sift for size. The longer you mill the powder the faster it will burn. The fine powder that comes out of the mill will almost pop when lit.