Making Black Powder with a Ball Mill — Skylighter, Inc.
To grind a single chemical (vs. a mix like black powder) using a ball mill, fill your mill jar half full of hardened lead or brass grinding media, and 25% full of potassium nitrate. Turn the mill on and come back in an hour. Your nitrate should be light and fluffy. If not, continue grinding it 'til it's fine powder with no chunks or grains.