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Backyard Ballistics This forum is dedicated to the safe teaching and responsible handling of high and low explosives. You will not find any information on how to make "bombs" or any such device(s) . Backyard ballistics will teach you the science and the art of pyrotechnics and how to manufacture and use explosives/pyrotechnics safely and responsibly. Backyard ballistics is also a haven for rocketry and pneumatic cannons. All information contained within this forum is for educational purposes ONLY. Totse does not accept responsiblity for any incident involving the use of the information contained within this forum.

 
 
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  #1   Add ATG to your ignore list  
Old 2008-12-17, 23:13
ATG ATG is offline
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Arrow Powdering Aluminum

I know this is probably a stupid question but what is the best way to powder aluminum? I was gonna try to use a ghetto pestle-and-mortar on some foil, will this work? I also have access to some sheet aluminum. I dont need very much.
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  #2   Add therealgod to your ignore list  
Old 2008-12-17, 23:52
therealgod therealgod is offline
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Northern Maine.
Default Re: Powdering Aluminum

buy it powdered.
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  #3   Add ATG to your ignore list  
Old 2008-12-18, 00:07
ATG ATG is offline
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Default Re: Powdering Aluminum

where?
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  #4   Add asilentbob to your ignore list  
Old 2008-12-18, 00:10
asilentbob asilentbob is offline
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(MSG for PGP pub key) Texas
Default Re: Powdering Aluminum

Google is the great provider, ask it next time.
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  #5   Add asilentbob to your ignore list  
Old 2008-12-18, 00:37
asilentbob asilentbob is offline
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(MSG for PGP pub key) Texas
Default Re: Powdering Aluminum

Yeah, it can work, fucking google it.

People don't post accounts of their experiments on the internet for them to get no attention.
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 #6 
Old 2008-12-18, 11:30
Mantikore Mantikore is offline
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Default Re: Powdering Aluminum

its kind of hard getting a fine powder by smashing it in a M&P. i dont do pyro myself, but when craft a lot of items from aluminium. i use a file and ive got quite a lot of powdered aluminium
 #7 
Old 2008-12-18, 23:03
iceshrike iceshrike is offline
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Default Re: Powdering Aluminum

If you can't say some thing nice don't say anything at all. Fuck that.
 #8 
Old 2008-12-19, 11:58
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I live in Heresy
Default Re: Powdering Aluminum

People have shown plenty of niceness if you ask me. You should have been around when asking a question like that instigated an all out flame party.

In all seriousness, the questions about powdering aluminium have been asked and answered quite a lot, and even just the totse archives contain all the information six times over I'd venture to guess.
 #9 
Old 2008-12-27, 09:55
hazode hazode is offline
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Default Re: Powdering Aluminum

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mokothar
People have shown plenty of niceness if you ask me. You should have been around when asking a question like that instigated an all out flame party.

In all seriousness, the questions about powdering aluminium have been asked and answered quite a lot, and even just the totse archives contain all the information six times over I'd venture to guess.


I think I remember just the end of that era. Good times *wipes a tear away from my eye*
  #10   Add KING G to your ignore list  
Old 2008-12-27, 10:54
KING G KING G is offline
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Default Re: Powdering Aluminum

Quote:
Originally Posted by asilentbob View Post
Google is the great provider, ask it next time.
Eh, he's just asking for a recommended reliable/recommended source.
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  #11   Add Mokothar to your ignore list  
Old 2008-12-27, 11:36
Mokothar Mokothar is offline
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I live in Heresy
Default Re: Powdering Aluminum

And like it sais in the welcome text: if he shows us one of the methods he finds out on the net, we'll gladly comment on its effectiveness and necessary safety precautions ...
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Fighting the world since '87
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 #12 
Old 2008-12-28, 02:41
iceshrike iceshrike is offline
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Default Re: Powdering Aluminum

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mokothar
People have shown plenty of niceness if you ask me. You should have been around when asking a question like that instigated an all out flame party.

In all seriousness, the questions about powdering aluminium have been asked and answered quite a lot, and even just the totse archives contain all the information six times over I'd venture to guess.


I remember those days, and I wish they were back. Back when I was doing experiments with hydrazine I slipped up and made the stupid mistake of asking where to get xylene. I got smeared into the wall similar to a victim of Grendel.

You took my post out of the context I meant it to be in and I realize that it was a foolish mistake on my part. I meant that I was going to refrain from being an asshole, which happens a lot and is rather hypocritical because I was young and stupid at one point. I like to keep the flame of hatred against idiots wanting to be spoon fed lit just like the days back then, when I was that idiot.
 #13 
Old 2008-12-28, 09:27
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NSFW, Australia
Default Re: Powdering Aluminum

Buy powdered aluminium from an art shop or newsagent.
 #14 
Old 2008-12-28, 20:52
3xplosive obs3sed 3xplosive obs3sed is offline
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Default Re: Powdering Aluminum

Yeah I would say buy it powdered if you can, that will save you some time and work..

I remember reading an article on how to make thermite somewhere, bombshock or totse I can't remember. It explained a method. You will need a bench grinder, a big zip-lock bag, and some aluminum cans. Hold the bag under the bench grinder where the sparks come out out, better yet maybe tape it so you can have both of your hands free, grind aluminum cans and catch the powder.

I don't think the sparks would melt through the bag..
 #15 
Old 2008-12-28, 22:16
Radiate Radiate is offline
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Default Re: Powdering Aluminum

If using the above stated method, make sure you use grinding wheels designed for aluminum. If you don't the wheel will eventually clog, overheat, then explode. I'll tell you now so you don't have to find out; getting hit with a grinding wheel explosion is about like getting shot with a bulletproof vest. It'll knock you down. Wear a face shield.
 #16 
Old 2008-12-29, 01:55
Mantikore Mantikore is offline
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Default Re: Powdering Aluminum

I remember reading an article on how to make thermite somewhere, bombshock or totse I can't remember. It explained a method. You will need a bench grinder, a big zip-lock bag, and some aluminum cans. Hold the bag under the bench grinder where the sparks come out out, better yet maybe tape it so you can have both of your hands free, grind aluminum cans and catch the powder.


nah they wont melt the bag. though im not sure if there are impurities in the cans.

and when you use a grinder, wouldnt the Al grindings oxidise a bit too much?
 #17 
Old 2009-01-01, 05:20
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Default Re: Powdering Aluminum

Tear up a bunch of aluminum foil into the smallest size pieces you feel like dealing with and chuck the whole mess in a ball mill with some steel media. Wait about a week. Screen the product if you want to separate out the various grades of particle size you'll invariably wind up with. A good portion of it will be more than fine enough for flash powder.

This method may not be cost competitive with buying the stuff outright in the long run, but at least your name won't get put on any terrorist watchlists for it and it's reasonably foolproof.
 #18 
Old 2009-01-01, 16:01
hazode hazode is offline
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Default Re: Powdering Aluminum

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fate
Tear up a bunch of aluminum foil into the smallest size pieces you feel like dealing with and chuck the whole mess in a ball mill with some steel media. Wait about a week. Screen the product if you want to separate out the various grades of particle size you'll invariably wind up with. A good portion of it will be more than fine enough for flash powder.

This method may not be cost competitive with buying the stuff outright in the long run, but at least your name won't get put on any terrorist watchlists for it and it's reasonably foolproof.


Sadly enough, there is no such thing as "foolproof" on TOTSE anymore.
 #19 
Old 2009-01-01, 23:48
3xplosive obs3sed 3xplosive obs3sed is offline
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Default Re: Powdering Aluminum

nah they wont melt the bag. though im not sure if there are impurities in the cans.

and when you use a grinder, wouldnt the Al grindings oxidise a bit too much?

Woo wee.... I'm really not sure man, when you say oxidize "too much" in my mind im thinking the aluminum would get too hot making it useless for its intent. I'm not very knowledgeable into the whole chemistry of reactions, im just a pyro.

If not, Fate's method sounds a bit more reliable.
 #20 
Old 2009-01-02, 16:11
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I live in Heresy
Default Re: Powdering Aluminum

Metallic aluminium exposed to the atmosphere oxidizes, period! It can be freezing cold or hotter than hell, there's just no way around that, the manner of grinding makes little difference.
 #21 
Old 2009-01-03, 08:12
MH-iforgotmypassword MH-iforgotmypassword is offline
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Default Re: Powdering Aluminum

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mokothar
Metallic aluminium exposed to the atmosphere oxidizes, period! It can be freezing cold or hotter than hell, there's just no way around that, the manner of grinding makes little difference.


The reason it doesn't matter though, is because the oxide layer is very very thin, even compared to the powder mesh.


I saw a grinder somewhere that had a wheel wrapped in sandpaper attached to a somewhat low-speed motor. A block of the target material rested on top (pressed in by weight) and the bottom of the wheel dipped into a tank of water. The idea was that you could turn it on and come back a few hours later and have a decent supply of powder. It worked, but I don't remember how well.
 #22 
Old 2009-01-07, 16:50
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Planet Earth
Default Re: Powdering Aluminum

http://members.shaw.ca/justin.le/grinder/grinder.html
 #23 
Old 2009-01-08, 02:23
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8th layer of hell
Default Re: Powdering Aluminum

Ive seen a device like that before.

Anyone know if I can just use an old rock tumbler, I have like 3 of them up in my attic and it would be cheaper.
 #24 
Old 2009-01-13, 17:51
Thus Thus is offline
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Default Re: Powdering Aluminum

This may sound stupid but isn't aluminum foil actually made of tin?
  #25   Add anonymous6059 to your ignore list  
Old 2009-01-14, 01:51
anonymous6059 anonymous6059 is offline
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Default Re: Powdering Aluminum

i haven't been able to find any aluminum powder mesh neither... i just moved on to playing with magnesium. it works good in fireworks. i also found this don't know if any of it is true

1) Go to a machine shop. They will usually give you aluminum powder for sweeping the floor or something.
2) Break open an Etch-A-Sketch, the stuff inside is pure aluminum powder.
3) Go to a paint store, they usually have powdered aluminum that people use to mix into paints to give it pigment.
4) Get a grinder, and something made of aluminum. Good ideas are soda cans, bike frames, and lacrosse sticks. Start grinding the aluminum and collect the sparks in a container.
5) Search eBay, they sell it for pretty cheap.
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  #26   Add anonymous6059 to your ignore list  
Old 2009-01-14, 01:54
anonymous6059 anonymous6059 is offline
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Default Re: Powdering Aluminum

1) Go to a machine shop. They will usually give you aluminum powder for sweeping the floor or something.
2) Break open an Etch-A-Sketch, the stuff inside is pure aluminum powder.
3) Go to a paint store, they usually have powdered aluminum that people use to mix into paints to give it pigment.
4) Get a grinder, and something made of aluminum. Good ideas are soda cans, bike frames, and lacrosse sticks. Start grinding the aluminum and collect the sparks in a container.
5) Search eBay, they sell it for pretty cheap.
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 #27 
Old 2009-01-15, 21:34
Moderator
 
I live in Heresy
Default Re: Powdering Aluminum

Quote:
Originally Posted by Thus
This may sound stupid but isn't aluminum foil actually made of tin?


Tin foil does exist however aluminium foil is often referred to (wrongly) as tin foil.
Al foil often does contain a significant amount of chromium, because people like shiny things ... yeah, shiny :)
 


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