What kind and how powerful of an explosion does black powder provide? I'm considering making some but I just want to know if it's worth the work. Thanks, God Bless!

doesn't explode unless it's in a compressed or confined space... it will probably burn violently if you stick it on a plate and light it .. but for best results I recommend putting it in a steel pipe with a capped end and a fuse ... you need some kind of oxygen howerver... dont want the fire to suffocate...

idk what to do about that..

wouldnt the pipe bomb not need oxygen added cause it would have an oxidizer, potassium nitrate? could be wrong though i guess...hmmm

Helix is retarted dont listen to him.


BP has oxygen in it.

and for your question...um It depends on how fast burning it is.

I've had some experience with black powder and Helix is right about one thing the compression. The more you compress black powder the bigger the boom, but when you compress it too far it can explode without a flame; the heat from the compression will actually ignite the black powder. I have about 300lbs of black powder and I have a little fun from time to time. The best thing I have found to to make a big boom is to take a 4 inch diameter piece of PVC that is about a foot long and cap one end off then fill it half way with black powder; then fill it the rest of the way with Coleman lantern fluid and cap it off. When you put a fuse in it, it is a good idea to have at least a 4 foot slow-burn cannon fuse, because the lantern fluid is highly flammable and the slightest spark can set it off, you want to have the thing you light it with as far away from the pipe as possible. Once you have the fuse in place, dig a hole about 3 feet deep and place the PVC inside it, light the fuse, and run like hell.
In about 10 seconds you should hear an ear shattering boom and see a huge fire ball. Have fun!!!

ok where do u get black powder from

You can make your own or you can buy it from ammunition dealers. By weight the formula is Potassium nitrate: 75%, Charcoal: 15%, and Sulfur: 10%; do not measure by volume only by weight, use a good digital scale to get the best results.

thanks where do i get Sulfur from

probably could get it from a pharmacy, or a chemical supply store (so i've heard, but i've never actually seen one.)

is there an outher name for it