                       How to Build Black Powder
                           By: Mr. Byte-Zap




     Black powder can be prepared in a simple, safe manner.  It
may be used as blasting or gun powder.

Material required:                       Quantity:
-----------------                        --------

potassium nitrate --- granulated ---------  3 cups
wood charcoal --------- powdered ---------  2 cups
sulfur ---------------- powdered --------- 1/2 cup
alcohol - (whiskey, rubbing alcohol) ----- 5 pints
Water ------------------------------------  3 cups
heat source
2 buckets -- each 2 gallon capacity, at least one of which is    
                     heat resistant (metal, ceramic, etc.) Flat
window screening ------- at least 1 ft. Square
large wooden stick
cloth ----------------------- at least 2 ft. Square

note: the above amounts will yield 2 ounds of black powder. 

    However, only the ratios of the amounts of the ingredients
are important.
    Thus, for twice as much black powder, double all quantities  
    used.

Procedure:
---------

1) place alcohol in one of the buckets

2) place potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur in the heat
resistant bucket.  Add 1 cup water and mix thoroughly with wooden
stick until all ingredients are dissolved.

3) Add remaining water (2 cups) to mixture.  Place bucket on heat
   source and stir until small bubbles begin to form.

Caution:  do not boil mixture.  Be sure all mixture stays wet. 
If any is dry, as on sides of pan, it may ignite.

4) Remove bucket from heat and pour mixture into alcohol while   
stirring vigorously

5) let alcohol stand about 5 minutes. Strain mixture through   
cloth to obtain black powder.  Discard liquid. Wrap cloth   
around black powder and squeeze to remove all excess liquid.

6) Place screening over dry bucket. Place workable amount of damp
   powder on screen and granulate by rubbing solid through screen

note: if granulated particles appear to stick together and change
      shape, recombine entire batch of powder and repeat steps 5 
     & 6.

7) Spread granulated powder on flat dry surface so that layer   
about 1/2 inch is formed.  Allow to dry.  Use radiator , or   
direct sunlight.  This should be dried as soon as possible,   
preferably in one hour.  The longer the drying period, the   
less effective the black powder.

Caution: remove from heat as soon as granules are dry.  Black    
           powder is now ready for use.
