wooden black powder storage box

[hitandmissengine]

I am looking for plans to build a good black powder storage box. I would like it to have partitions to seperate lbs. Of powder
and any other consideration that I should consider.
Thanks

 

[fleener]

plywood and sheetrock.

Why do you want to separate the powder?

I keep my powder is a locked file cabinet in my shop.

fleener

 

[fleener]

google up IME 22 specs if you are interested in the spes for what boxes to transport explosives are made of.

fleener

 

[hitandmissengine]

All pics I seen of such boxes have the seperations. From what I have read this slows down combustion. But, I am not sure. I may not even need a wood box. Just want to play things safe in case of house fire.

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

I use a big old cooler lined with 1-1/2" thick walls, floor and lid of sheetrock.

 

[smoothshooter]

Don't know what the current thinking or laws are nowadays, but for years the conventional wisdom for black powder storage was if it is to be stored in a container of some sort, put it in a container that is not very strong that will blow apart easily if the powder goes off. That way the pressure will not build to a very high level prior to the storage container blowing apart. You want a " whoosh " instead of a " BOOM! ". A container made out of lightweight plywood being the best; an ammo can with the lid buckled down being the worst.

IIRC, the lightweight container was actually required by whoever makes the rules on this sort of thing for retailers who sold black powder.
Oddly enough, an old refrigerator met the requirements.
I store mine in the cardboard boxes the one pound containers come in, and placed along an outer wall, and not too much in any one place.

 

[necchi]

I may not even need a wood box. Just want to play things safe in case of house fire.

Unless a house is fully engulfed,, much of the 2x4's survive. They actually study the burnt vs un-burnt side to help determine the fire source.

That said; A snug fitting box with a 2x bottom and top with stacked tight 2x4's works just fine.
(I mean 1 1/2" sides).
The key is air tight,, glued and crew together snugly there isn't any air for the fire to burn,, sure the outside will scorch and burn,, but flame won't get to the inside.

A childhood friend became the Fire Chief in our 5 station town, one day I went in to talk to him about powder storage and his answer was "We don't worry about it",, Just like hair spray/deodorant aerosol cans and modern nitro powders most of the time it just goes "Poof".
I told him I'm storing in old GI ammo cans, he said "You can't beat olde reliable" and added a good place is on the floor in a closet.
Again , No Air = Slow to Burn.

 

[Rifleman1776]

All pics I seen of such boxes have the seperations. From what I have read this slows down combustion

Sounds like you are anticipating combustion. :shocked2:
Build a box you like, if you think you need or want one.
My bp and modern powders are stored on open shelves. As others have pointed out, if there ever is a fire they will go "poof" not 'bang'.

 

[hitandmissengine]

I know smokles powder will go poof. It is not considerd a combustionable. But, is that the same for black powder? I guess as long as the container it is in will vent pressure it will not explode. Yes, powder is sold in safe containers. I have read wooden storage boxes with individual compartments for each powder container are recommended in europe. The thought is that this setup will prevent the violent ignition of all individual powder containers at once. That is, if the box is engulfed in flames.
All of the foresaid probably does not merit a great deal of worry. Fact of the matter is, my kid came to me for a good starter woodworking project. I figure, what the heck, if I must buy materials why not get something out of the deal!

 

[swathdiver]

Our crates are made from pine or cypress with rope handles and brass hardware. Glued and screwed (108) and finished with BLO.

They hold about 30lbs of BP and are 22" Wide by 13-1/2" Deep by 11" High on the outside. Inside they are 19"x12"x8"

The top and bottom have slats so they can be stacked and transported and have a measure of protection against flooding or a wet floor.

 

[CrackStock]

I would suggest not having it fit individual cans as the cans change over the years and you would have locked into one can type. What happens when you change brands of powder?

I would build a wooden and dry wall box with a tight fit and leave it at that. Easier to build and just as effective.

CS