Where can I get a small quantity of gun powder?

[Huntsman]

I'm planning a kids birthday party with a pirate theme, I intend to make a couple of mock up cannons, the barrels being thick walled cardboard tube, with thick wooden bungs in the ends, a spark plug wired up to a coil, I'd a small amount of gunpowder, then I'll pack in a load of sponge, rag, paper etc.

Preferably of course, I need gunpowder that makes a lot of smoke.

Maybe a spoonful in each cannon?

I'll do some testing, starting with a small amount. Obvs.

[Pericoloso]

Sounds like a recipe for disaster.

[catfood12]

Get some anti poacher alarm cartridges. Search amazon for '12g Shotgun Alarm Mine Blanks'

https://www.ant-supplies.uk/bits-and-bobs/blank-fi...


These are black powder, lots of bang/smoke and you don't need a firearms certificate to buy.

Cardboard cannon though... You may have to rethink that and use a bit of drainpipe.

[Huntsman]

catfood12 said:

Get some anti poacher alarm cartridges. Search amazon for '12g Shotgun Alarm Mine Blanks'

https://www.ant-supplies.uk/bits-and-bobs/blank-fi...


These are black powder, lots of bang/smoke and you don't need a firearms certificate to buy.

Cardboard cannon though... You may have to rethink that and use a bit of drainpipe.

Thanks!

Big fireworks at proper displays are launched out of thick walled cardboard tubes with wooden bungs in the ends.

[Fore Left]

Two toilet rolls and a Fairy Liquid bottle. What could possibly go wrong

[Peanut Gallery]

Some of those pull string poppers, remove the string and add some powder? More a pop than a boom, but easier?

[Pommy]

'Yes, do you have any gunpowder?'

'For a gun? Oh no, for a cardboard tube'

'Its a kids party'

'Yes, thats right...hello.hello. are you there?'

'They hung up dear'.

[55palfers]

Salt petre
Sulphur
Charcoal

Grind each to fine powder

Mix

Research web for exact ratios

[mickytruelove]

i have done similar, miniture cannon turned down in the lathe. I used a ring of caps from a cap gun (99p for a lot of them). Cant remember how many caps i used at a time but no more than 6, tiny amounts in them. fired a 6mm bb through the shed door no problem.

Much easier than making gun powder yourself. Or if you really want the best kids party get a pack of crow bangers from a farm supply. Lots more powder.

[Matt Hew]

Oh wow a proper pirate experience for the kids where each child leaves with a party bag and authentic shrapnel injuries! Genius!

[citizensm1th]

i would hazard a guess that cardboard is better than drain pipe shrapnel wise

i would also think about using a co2 fire extinguisher plumbed up to a fake cannon to simulate instead of actual gunpowder

but what ever you use pics please there is nothing quite as good as documented darwinism

[Bebee]

Do the House of Lords need to worry?

[mickk]

I expect this thread will be on a GCHQ watch list now, damn I shouldn't have replied.

[Shuvi McTupya]

55palfers said:

Salt petre
Sulphur
Charcoal

Grind each to fine powder

Mix

Research web for exact ratios

And make sure you get a camera rolling to record any testing.

[hidetheelephants]

These people will be able to help.

[AlexC1981]

Where do reinactment groups get their supplies from? Maybe you could arrange to borrow a small mortar cannon

Just found this, a bit too small for the OP, but now I really want one.

http://www.pocketcannons.com/

[Frank7]

Too late now, but Robert Catesby was the go-to guy for gunpowder.

[Kermit power]

AlexC1981 said:

Just found this, a bit too small for the OP, but now I really want one.

http://www.pocketcannons.com/

I just looked at that website, and was sat there wondering who on earth would actually come up with such a thing, and why on earth would anyone actually want one???

Then I watched the video, and it all made sense!

[paul.deitch]

Try dry ice and recorded cannon audio. A lot safer.

[red_slr]

Most firearms dealers will not sell gun powder (black powder) without producing a firearms certificate. Legally you don't have to show a licence of any kind unless you are buying large quantities, but for obvious reasons they want a paper trail these days.

Second, its a lot more potent stuff than you might think. In simple terms any kind of containment of the powder will result in a pressure wave...

IMHO you should be using commercial fireworks which are already contained in tubes to the correct thickness to ensure everyone leaves with all their limbs. I see no reason why you would not do this.