What are some ways to make explosives?

Question

I want to blow up some stumps at my house but obviously you can't buy stuff like that anymore.

I've cut 100's of stumps out with shovel and axe as well as heavy equipment. I think blowing them up would be 10 times more fun!

Answer 1

It's probably against the bylaws where you live as well.
You might blow your way into The Hoosegow.
See if you can rent one of those mulching machines designed specifically for that purpose. They're just as fun as dynamite and provide you with a useful, decorative mulch.

http://www.rhs.org.uk/(ywyxnxbvvvwsciusdsardm45)/advice/profiles1102/tree_stumps.asp

How To Accomplish Tree Stump Removal Without Stump Grinders
http://landscaping.about.com/cs/lazylandscaping/ht/stump_removal.htm

Rotting

If there is no particular hurry in removing the stump or if you can camouflage it, rotting is the easiest, cheapest and safest method of removal. You may also consider leaving a tall stump to rot naturally and provide food and habitat for wildlife. Rotting wood is a favorite source of insect food for a variety of birds.

The organisms that rot or decay wood are called fungi. Fungi do not possess chlorophyll and consequently must derive food from other sources such as wood stumps. For fungi to live and grow, they must have the proper temperature, moisture, oxygen and food conditions. Food is supplied by the stump or wood, and oxygen is supplied by contact with the atmosphere. For optimum fungal growth, the temperature should range from 50 to 90 degrees F. The wood moisture content should be approximately 20 percent to slightly higher, but not water soaked. These optimum conditions do not exist for long periods, thus stump rotting actually occurs intermittantly and decay of the entire stump is a long-term process.

To enhance decay conditions, the stump should be cut as near ground level as possible, covered with sod and kept moist. If possible, several large holes at least 1 inch in diameter should be bored vertically into the stump. These holes expose more wood and slightly hasten decay. During the first year following tree removal, the organisms that decay the wood tend to be nitrogen-limited. That means that the addition of fertilizer during the first year, especially a high nitrogen fertilizer, will hasten decay. Be careful not to add so much as to cause a fertilizer “burn” to surrounding plants.

The organisms that come along to decay the stump after the first year or so tend to be carbon-limited. That means that adding high nitrogen fertilizer no longer hastens the decay. The alternative is to add carbons (in the form of sugar) to the wood after the first year. Simply add some ordinary granulated sugar through those holes and the process will speed up considerably. Keep in mind that the heartwood of some species such as cedar, mulberry, bois d’arc and locust are naturally durable and will take much longer to decay than softer woods.

As the stump rots, depressions or holes will develop. These can be unsightly and a hazard. You can re-fill these depressions with topsoil as they develop.

There is no miracle chemical on the market that dissolves a stump overnight. Some of the more common chemicals offered for sale are potassium nitrate or saltpeter, sulphuric acid and nitric acid. Some chemicals have been ineffective.
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Trees-739/Tree-Stump-Removal.htm

Answer 2

You might be able to rent a backhoe and rip them out (it would be almost as "macho" as blasting, and much safer). If they arn't really big, you can dig around them, cut the larger roots off deep enough down that they don't show, get a chain or cable around them, and rip them out with your truck (like on the commercials). Years ago, we got rid of a willow stump over 2 feet across by the second method.

Answer 3

diet coke and mentos ;)
I dont think it will blow stumps, though