Make Black Powder

Pappy

I have heard the best willow is from weeping willows, the fine branches (about 1" thick, with the bark stripped off?) does that sound right?:D
 
I have heard the best willow is from weeping willows, the fine branches (about 1" thick, with the bark stripped off?) does that sound right?



yep , perfict mate!!
 
very easy to make.
Back in the mid 60's I lived in Yuma for 5 years , my friend and I spent our free time exploring old mines and ghost towns , we did find two old six shooters that I now know were 45 long colt and one rifle with a rolling block I have no idea what it was.
They were quickly taken from us by our parents as we were only allowed to have 22's and pump 410's.
I often wonder what happened to them because as you know nothing rusts down there.
And by the way we got around on my old 305 Honda superhawk at that time , quite a bike in its day.
 
I started at 11 with a Honda 50 based on the Dream. Then moved up to a Dream. Then a 69 Honda 350. Had a few Yamaha dirt bikes and a couple of Kaws. Finally hit the big time and got three Harleys. Don't have squat now cept a Yamaha Big Bear four wheeler. But to get back on topic I plan on making my own bp one of these days. Just got to get the right stuff to make a ball mill and the nerve to do it.:D
 
I'm pretty sure a CL175 was my second bike. Had a number of bikes over the years and currently have an 82 XL200, '86 XL600, '06 Rancher 4X4 and an '08 Wide Glide. I'm pretty sure I could stuff some willow branches in the Wide Glide's Thunderheader and have charcoal in a matter of minutes! The thing is melting my boots and starting my pants on fire! Burned the holy hell out of my leg a couple weeks ago.

Anyway; talked to my mom last night and she's going to harvest some willow branches for me. So.... does the wood start green, or require some aging before coaling it?
 
Peal the bark off when you get it , you want no bark.
Best to dry for 2-3 weeks but can be used green , just takes longer.

Here is how I do it.
I buy a new paint can from home depot with a lid , tin 1 gallon one. it will last some time if stored in a dry place..
Punch a hole in the top about 1/4 inch round. Cut the wood and split as fine as you can without cutting fingers off , he he. so it stands up in the can.
pack it in there , put the lid on and put a roofing nail in the hole. gas can escape but air can,t get in.
Get three beers , put the can in the gas grill and enjoy.rite on the flames.
any fire will work.
It will begin to smoke and the gas will catch on fire , that's OK. 45 min to an hour smoke stops , let cook about 10 min more and remove can "DO NOT REMOVE TOP OR NAIL" or the coal will burn.
When very cool pour this into a 5gallon bucket , get more beer and repeat!
I use a 4 foot long 2X4 to crush it up in the 5 gallon bucket.
sift to remove any uncooked wood.
you can make enough in a few hours to last all year.

I use white pine but willow makes a hotter powder.
 
Back
Top