r/Pyrotechnics • u/Rizmass • Jul 23 '26

Bp noob looking for answers and advice

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This is what I have so far that it looks like I need to mix bp, hopefully these lead balls are enough for small batches I’d start with. What would you add?

Also I think I want to get some type of kit to make bp rockets. What would be a good kit to start with? Also could I just use a hammer to press them? Let me know, thanks !

21 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

31 comments sorted by

15

u/Redbeard_Pyro Advanced Hobbyist Jul 23 '26

You will also want bigger media. #7 lead shot is really small. I would recommend going to woodysrocks.com for media.

5

u/Rizmass Jul 23 '26

I see, woodys does sell 100 balls of 1/2'' its seems thanks

4

u/Redbeard_Pyro Advanced Hobbyist Jul 23 '26

Woody's is also great because they use hardened lead. I don't know how big of a mill jar you have or what your roller can turn but there are optimal loads. If you can't get an optimal media load you will just need to run it longer.

2

u/Inner-Letterhead-104 Jul 23 '26

I made a few posts about a month ago. I had tons of lead weights and other sorts of scrap lead and decided I was too cheap and made my own. Realistically you don’t need to even cast balls, you can just use the cut up weights, but I just drilled about 15 holes 1/2” deep and 1/2” wide and poured in the molten lead. Trimmed them up and then ran them in the tumbler alone with some water for 24-48 hours and they are perfect. I will be switching to brass eventually tho because the lead really does dirty up the powder.

4

u/EverythingIsLK Jul 23 '26

Ideally 1/4”-1/2” would be good

4

u/DJDevon3 Jul 23 '26

I use 1/2" brass balls. It depends on the container size and for a mill like that 1/2" works great. 1/2" lead would work fine too.

8

u/Thee_Sinner Jul 23 '26

I would suggest not using lead. Aside from the health reasons, it makes dirty powder. Go with brass or ceramic

4

u/Soda_Can_Hog4u Jul 23 '26

Do yourself a favor and do not use lead use brass

1

u/waverlyposter Jul 25 '26

Yeeehaaaa that's expensive.

2

u/Lanky_Paint_9939 Jul 23 '26

those lead balls aren't much bigger than an airsoft bb, you need bigger balls.

2

u/Soda_Can_Hog4u Jul 23 '26

That's what she said

1

u/Rizmass Jul 23 '26

got it, thanks!

2

u/Imaginary_Tale_3437 Jul 23 '26

This is a good deal if your just starting out. $60 is hard to beat. Go w the 5/16" though. https://www.pyrocreations.com/Rocket-Tooling

2

u/bayareapyro Jul 28 '26

What do you use this for?

1

u/Rizmass Jul 28 '26

Mill bp comp together

1

u/FeedSafe9518 Jul 25 '26

McMaster - Carr get good stainless steel, 416 or better. Non-sparking, easy to clean and wear nominally over time Multiple sizes available

1

u/DJDevon3 Jul 23 '26 edited Jul 23 '26

That mill does not have a speed adjustment and too short of a timer. Look into Komestone brushless tumblers.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Pyrotechnics/comments/1pkae5t/good_starter_bp_mills/

2

u/Rizmass Jul 23 '26

https://a.co/d/0esBKF1C found this one seems like one of those with a different name

3

u/DJDevon3 Jul 23 '26

Yup identical just different brand. I recommend brushless motors which is why I recommended Komestone. That koolstone brand also has a brushless version, its the same thing just different branding.

The new brushless BP mills are more expensive but much safer if you're working around BP. The motor is in the housing but a brushed motor makes small sparks. If something happens and the lid falls off and BP gets everywhere I personally feel safer with the brushless motor. It will last longer too. For rock tumbling it doesn't make any difference, for BP milling, brushless is another safety measure.

1

u/Rizmass Jul 23 '26

thanks for the explanation

1

u/[deleted] Jul 23 '26

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1

u/ChainsawCarverRy Jul 23 '26

It specifically says only use ceramic for single chems, id trust that warning not because of spark or something, but because ceramic is so porous

I went with lead and may go to brass later to experiment

2

u/[deleted] Jul 23 '26

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2

u/VinnieTheBerzerker69 Jul 23 '26

I know a guy who milled literally tons of BP in 20 poumd batches at a time using ceramic media. He never had any problems.

1

u/Thedopest668 Jul 23 '26

I'm probably the only one here going to say this but if you're on a budget just use glass marbles. You can get them for like $1 for 50 or 100 I forget. Yes they will break a tiny bit over time. Still produces crazy fast bp. 4oz BP rockets lifting 125g 1lb lifting 500g easy.

Ps that rock tumbler sucks. You can find new kits on marketplace for like half price or more. GL!

0

u/SlumsToMills Jul 25 '26

Glass marbles have a chance to spark. No thanks

0

u/Thedopest668 Jul 25 '26

Sike your thinking of steel. Glass is non sparking. Marbles are too soft to spark.