At 09:23 PM 8/1/96 -0700, Timothy C. May wrote:
Buy a section of metal water pipe 1/2 by 6 inches long, threaded on both ends. Buy two metal caps to fit. These are standard items in hardware stores. Drill a 1/16th hole in the center of the pipe. This is easy with a good drill bit. Hanson is a good brand to use. Screw a metal cap tightly on one end. Fill the pipe to within 1/2 inch of the top with black powder. Do not pack the powder. Don't even tap the bottom of the pipe to make it settle. You want the powder loose. For maximum explosive effect, you need dry, fine powder sitting loose in a very rigid container.
For "safety" purposes (at least for the builder!) I would add that the threads on the pipe should be covered with a generous quantity of vaseline, grease, wax, or other similar material. Otherwise, the final tighten-up might cause an explosion if granules of powder get stuck in the threads and ignite due to friction. Evidence reduction tips: Discard drill bit used to make hole in pipe. Carefully avoid leaving any drill shavings in work area. Completely use/discard any extra powder/fuse not used in the bomb. (Chemical analysis will reveal similarity...) When tightening the pipe/cap, shield the work with a thick layer of folded-up paper towel or other material, so your Vice-Grips (or other such wrench, or vice) don't leave "tool marks" on the pipe. (Discard, by burning, such paper after use.) Jim Bell jimbell@pacifier.com