[1SOW]

I'm new to reloading, but not to electronics and electro-static charges.

I've read about and experienced static 'cling' while reloading.

Whats wrong with using an ESD grounding wire to prevent the build up?

This is not just a ground wire, but a wire with a resistor to slowly discharge static.

Has anyone heard if this has been done?

[The Bushmaster]

Why? Are you experiencing static cling? I've been reloading for 22 years now an haven't had any problem with static with any of my reloading equipment.

But if you do have a problem it's much easier to just use a dryer sheet to eliminate static cling.

Believe me...If anyone is going to have a problem with static cling it would be me. I walk across the floor and send 1" sparks to anything I touch that is grounded. My wife just loves to kiss me...It's a blast with the cat...Literally...

[1SOW]

I've had ball powder cling around the mouth of the case that won't dump into the scale. It also clings to the side of the powder holder.

Actually, IF it would solve the problem, the wire is a simple one-time fix.

[rickomatic]

What type of powder measure are you using? I use the Lee Autodisk, and the Lee Perfect Powder measure. Run a dozen or so "test" charges through them and the static should dissapate.

[ar10]

I have a lot of static buildup because the humidity is so low. Easiest fix in the world is static sheets used in a clothes dryer. I keep one rapped around my powder dispenser all the time and if I get grains sticking on the side of my funnels I just wipe the outside with static sheets.
I think static sheets should be put up there with every thing else written about reloading.

[1SOW]

I'm using the Lee Auto-Disk Measure with the red hopper.

It's been really dry hear for awhile so that's contributing to it.

I appreciate the static sheet tips and will probably end up using them; but I may try the static discharge wire too. I checked with a meter and ALL the parts of the Lee loader are common/connected together electrically. Even the brass case in the case holder would be discharged. It might work.

[ants]

I did all that static discharge stuff, then I started coating the inside of everything with powdered graphite. That's the same black stuff on your powder granules. They coat powder with graphite to let it flow and eliminate static. You can do the same thing, and it's harmless. Just get a tube of it and coat everything -- powder hopper, disk or charge bar, drum, drop tube, the entire interior of the die, and everything. Be liberal, the stuff is cheap (two dollars a tube at the auto parts store, in the section with anti-sieze and locktite). Once you get it coated, don't wash it unless you recoat. Be liberal with it. Not only will static be eliminated, but your charges will be much more consistent because it simply flows better.

[Thingster]

I had some issues with static- not to the point of sparking, but definitely sticking powder.

I solved it by grounding my stool; if it's grounded well, then I'm grounded, and so is everything else I touch.

[The Bushmaster]

I wonder if I can ground a wooden stool? Oh good. Something more to clutter my loading bench. Wires running everywhere including my stool...Yup...That'll work.

As stated before Dryer sheets and I forgot, powdered graphite...

[Funderb]

putting a resistor on a ground to "slowly bleed of charge" is..
I'm not going to say dumb, because I understand the concept,
so I am going to say, counterproductive.


That and
- static charge can only develop between insulators,
that would be the plastic parts, you, and the powder.
- Static sparks will not set off powder, unless you are milling it and have very fine particles all in the air at the perfect mixture.
- you don't need a ground strap. If you needed anything, you'd need a needle at the top of the press to facilitate corona discharge.


keeping the room around 30% humidity will eliminate static charge, as well.

[ar10]

keeping the room around 30% humidity will eliminate static charge, as well.

You could probably it around that someplace away from large bodies of water, little rain or no furnace humidifiers. That would probably eliminate about 80% of the US households. :)

[ants]

I live in the desert where average humidity is generally single digit - less than 10%.
I would need a sprinkler system in the gun room to achieve 30% humidity.

[rcmodel]

Grounding isn't necessary.

Just use a dryer sheet on the powder measure.

Or get a can of this stuff at the grocery store and never have static on anything ever again.

http://www.mystaticguard.com/



Emmmm -- Excuse me while I go pull my clinging slip down! :o

rc

[Hungry Seagull]

At Remington we did not move when red light is on over one of the bunkers. Too much risk of static.

Now excuse my while I touch the gun to get that keyboard off my arm.

[Shrinkmd]

How about an ESD rubber mat on the floor, that way as long as you are standing on it (and then when you touch a component) you are grounded?

I use one for all of my computer surgery. Even on carpet, as long as part of my body is on the rubber mat, as well as all the computer parts, I haven't shorted out anything yet or damaged a part, and I have opened up my computers and other people's probably dozens of times for rebuild/repair.

I did blow up my first Dell motherboard about 11 years ago installing a card for a scanner, but that was without ESD precautions. There is no worse sound and smell (in computing anyway) than turning on your computer and hearing a zap, smelling smoke, and no boot up screen.

[Funderb]

just throwin it out there! :neener:

[1SOW]

I should have added, you need to touch the grounded reloader to get rid of 'your' static charge. The resistor prevents that spark when you do touch it.

Every time you put a case in the shell holder your touching the reloader.

RC it would even prevent your slip from riding up.

[R.W.Dale]

just wipe your gear down with a dryer sheet once a year and your problems are solved

[lgbloader]

Wow... is this really that big of a problem??

I am amazed because aside from a little sticking of powder to the inside of the hopper, which is easily fixed by rubbing a dryer sheet in it, I have never experienced enough to make a big deal of it.

Not poking fun, just surprised.

LGB

[1SOW]

It seems to be growing as we go.
:uhoh:
Anyone have a balloon and some nylon....maybe RCs slip.

[Sitting Duck]

Like some others, the humidity where I live is almost non-existent. You can see the arc when you ground yourself at night with the lights off. The snap is very audible too. Maybe I should hook myself up to the power grid or something.

I sympathize with the guy zapping his wife. Ever since moving to AZ, mine just waves goodnight. I also chuckle when I envision a guy sitting at his bench with a grounding wire around his ankle, a dryer sheet in one hand, and a can of anti-stat spray gunk in the other. All this with a massive humidifier running in the background. :D Who said reloading was therapeutic?

I like the dryer sheet solution though.