[Flapjack]

Sorry guys, I will have to stick to the coffee grinder until I find a company that sells Charcoal. When I was working we used fine charcoal in the galvanising process. I will try and find who supplied it.

Not being used to forums is it possible to upload a image showing terra preta root system.

[Philip Small]

Originally Posted by erics2112

How well would a 55-gal drum attached to a water-wheel axle and having 6-10 rocks (2-5 kg) work? Would the tumbling action be enough to grind the charcoal?

That is a great idea, and prompted me to root around a bit. I found that the bioenergy lists have this great discussion on using a cement mixer as a ball mill to pulverize charcoal.

I can see a ball mill config working quite well, and for far less equipment cost.

[erics2112]

Amazing to see all the connections in technologies! I recall getting this idea from a TV show about John Deere combines and how they used rotating cylinders to thresh whatever they were harvesting to get the kernels. After reading all the other responses and doing a little more browsing - it looks like ball mills are simple to construct from materials at hand and efficient at pulverizing things. However - for a garden-scale process, perhaps the mortar and pestle approach fits the infrequent needs best; I know some kids in my neighborhood that would love a chance to beat something and get paid for their effort!

Eric

[Flapjack]

Originally Posted by erics2112

Amazing to see all the connections in technologies! I recall getting this idea from a TV show about John Deere combines and how they used rotating cylinders to thresh whatever they were harvesting to get the kernels. After reading all the other responses and doing a little more browsing - it looks like ball mills are simple to construct from materials at hand and efficient at pulverizing things. However - for a garden-scale process, perhaps the mortar and pestle approach fits the infrequent needs best; I know some kids in my neighborhood that would love a chance to beat something and get paid for their effort!

Eric

Me too Eric, I go into a junior/infants school and teach garden science.

[Gerrit]

Check out the rice dehuller traditionally used by hill-tribes in Thailand:

For the mortar, they use a hollowed out wooden block - over a foot in diameter. Instead, I would get a discarded propane gas cylinder (used for fueling barbecues) and cut the top several inches off. With its rounded bottom, it already has the perfect shape as the ideal mortar.

Their pestle affair looks like a giant hammer - all made out of wood. It is pivoted so that the girls step on one end to lift the pestle and then let the 'hammer' drop for milling.

Of course, it wouldn't be nearly as much fun to build as a water wheel...

[Gerrit]

If anybody is interested in the rice dehuller as used by the Thia hill-tribes fort us as a charcoal pulveriser, and wants to see a photo, google in "rice-pounder hill-tribes photo" and you can find several types on the 'net.

Gerrit

[Fukudairafarm]

I make most of my charcoal from softwood branch trimmings or split bamboo. Most of it fits into my garden chipper and comes out pretty small.
Also, the softwood charcoal is very easy to pulverize in a 20 liter bucket with a length of 2x4. I don't worry about getting it down to fines. I like it like peanut butter- chunky.

[erich]

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Erich J. Knight

[Flapjack]

Hi Erich

Thank you for the advice but I have solved the problem for free. Only a few miles away I have found a company that imports and grades charcoal. Most of which comes from Brazil but not rainforest but from a Eucalyptus plantation. I get the really fine charcoal dust that is taken from the extractor scrubbers for free. They even bag it and put it into the car for me.

The results that I am seeing for the use of charcoal on Fuchsia species is very good.

[Fukudairafarm]

Hmm.... Charcoal.... Will it blend?