Goex explosion today

[Dusty_Traveler]

My best friend was a firefighter/paramedic at the local government arsenal/ammo plant.

He has told me several horror stories of the livesaving/cleanup he has done within those bunkers.

It happens more than you think. Sometimes it just isn't sniffed out by the media. I am glad no one was hurt in this accident.

It's like a mechanic breaking a bolt off. It's just a matter of time before the numbers catch up with you.

Explosions happen at explosive plants. It's just a fact.

 

[maillemaker]

I've made perhaps 3-4 pounds of black powder. It's a chore.

There are a a couple of big safety concerns for myself.

The first is, black powder dust gets everywhere. It is unavoidable. This is why I do all work with it outdoors. I initially tried doing it in my garage, near the big door, but even then you could drag your finger along surfaces some feet away and find black powder dust on your finger. In its green meal state, it is as fine as talcum powder. The slightest disturbance sends it wafting about like smoke. Do this enough, and it's just a matter of time before many surfaces are covered in a fine dusting of black powder, and then some errant spark or flame will set it all off.

The second is pressing. I use a small aluminum (non sparking) cylinder with a 2" bore, followed by a 2" piston. I use this in an aluminum cookie sheet with a 12 ton press to press dampened green meal into cake/pucks.

The powder is damp, but not wet, and you do not want it wet or the potassium nitrate will leech out of the mixture. I haven't tried to burn any in this state, so I don't know what it would do. But it does make me quite on edge when cranking on what is essentially an aluminum grenade full of damp black powder with my 12 ton press. If it were to detonate, it would blow me in half, I am sure. I have toyed with the idea of using an air-powered hydraulic pump to operate the press remotely. And if I ever get back into the hobby seriously I will probably do that. In addition, it would probably be wise to devise a heavy steel blast deflector to mount to the press frame to direct the energy in a particular direction.

It's enticing because of the price. You can make a pound of black powder for around $5. But everything I've made has been rather dirty, to the point of fouling guns after a few shots. Unsuitable for competition use. On top of this I go through at least 25 pounds a year and I would have to do a lot of work to make that much powder.

 

[dave_person]

Hi,
In the old days powder mills blew up a lot. The Dupont factory at Hagley Delaware was built so one side of the grinding house was open to Brandywine Creek. That way, when there was inevitably an explosion, the force did not concentrate and blow the whole facility apart. Plus they had a ready supply of water for the fire. I spent quite a bit of time on the property of Picatinny Arsenal in NJ. Some of their building had escape slides at every window so workers could slide to safety if there was a fire.

dave

 

[Sagebrush]

I think this is a better article: https://www.ksla.com/2024/10/30/explosion-confirmed-camp-minden/

 

[centershot]

I highly doubt the hobbyist is making it in the quantity that goex does in one shot. Besides, a small explosion as reported, is good news vs the last time goex blew up.

No, they don't. But, that half pound of powder you're making will make a mess out of you if it blows up in your face!

 

[HighUintas]

There's a video somewhere on YouTube of a pound of BP burning (not exploding). If it were contained, yes i think it would likely kill a person. I don't think the ball mill canisters most use would contain it well enough to make a real explosion, but when pressing it into cakes using a press and metal cylinder..... That wouldn't be good.

 

[Rabidwookie2003]

I can’t imagine what they are paying for Insurance

I’m pretty sure that we may not want to know. Willing to bet it’s an insane amount.

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

I’m pretty sure that we may not want to know. Willing to bet it’s an insane amount.

Since they are fulfilling federal govt contracts, I wouldn't doubt it at all that you and I and @PathfinderNC are all footing that bill.

 

[springfield art]

Haven't you seen the employment numbers up? Where do you think homeless homie got a job?

Yeah, passing out Harris leaflets!

 

[Boomerang]

Since they are fulfilling federal govt contracts, I wouldn't doubt it at all that you and I and @PathfinderNC are all footing that bill.

And that's probably why we are paying around $25 a pound.

 

[springfield art]

Glad to hear no one hurt; must have been relatively minor accident at the GOEX plant.

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

And that's probably why we are paying around $25 a pound.

You're getting goex for $25 a pound??

my gosh man, protect that honey hole at all costs!

It's $36 at mine!

 

[springfield art]

You're getting goex for $25 a pound??

my gosh man, protect that honey hole at all costs!

It's $36 at mine!

Not surprising. Black powder is a niche market, and not every dealer wants to store or deal with it. My very active LGS guys need a license just to be able to go and pick it up at their distributer; I'd think it's at least $30/lb., but would not be surprised at all at $36.

 

[springfield art]

Thank goodness the whole place didn't become ruined; that would be the end of BP mfg. in the US; insurance companies actually have last word on something; no insurance, no anything. Glad no one was hurt, from what little I see here about the incident. Maybe modern instruments and procedures help.

 

[Boomerang]

You're getting goex for $25 a pound??

my gosh man, protect that honey hole at all costs!

It's $36 at mine!

You have to buy a case at a time to get that.

 

[Frontier's]

No, they don't. But, that half pound of powder you're making will make a mess out of you if it blows up in your face!

Uncompressed powder doesn't blow up