vacuuming powder

balderclev · Apr 28, 2013

I use a vacuum cleaner to suck up spilled powder. I'm talking about the odd load that I spill on the floor, maybe 40 or 50 grains maximum. I just don't see the problem here although everything I read says it is a no-no.

I vacuum powder, tumbling media, spent primers, etc. and logically see no issue here. I empty my vacuum out every few days.

Anyone else do the same "dangerous" thing here?

Motownfire · Apr 28, 2013

My Dyson sucks up the occasional powder spill, wild primer & lots of Labrador hair off of my wood floors. It hasn't blown up yet...

noylj · Apr 29, 2013

My little hand vacuum has a bag so fine that I have to really keep it clean just to have it pick up dust and such. Sure isn't going to be any powder blowing through it.
Just suck up the little bit and flush it away--certainly don't see how many pounds of powder you can stuff into you wet/dry super vacuum.

gamestalker · Apr 29, 2013

The only thing I consider risky is if we vacuum up a significant quantity, not just a case that spilled. Now I won't vacuum up live primers that have become lost in the carpet though. I'll spend as much time as it takes to find those little buggers. They can do some damage if they detonate, I know from experience.

GS

Jesse Heywood · Apr 29, 2013

Here's a solution if you have compressed air.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=6429022

jmorris · Apr 29, 2013

I have air vacuum for that job. A friend of mine thought I was being overly cautious. I'll see if I can get him to send me photos of the vacuum he blew up.

oneounceload · Apr 29, 2013

Shop vac works for me - even sucks up the occasional shot spill, no big deal

TheSaint · Apr 29, 2013

If you have a just a very small bit here and there, I don't think it would be an issue with heat ignition. If there was a lot you spilled on the floor, I'd probably just try to sweep up the excess and if there was very little left, then use the vac to get the remnants.

Bush Pilot · Apr 29, 2013

Using a vacuum to clean up your reloading room is very dangerous. If your wife finds out that you really can operate a vacuum you'll be doing the entire house.

balderclev · Apr 29, 2013

Bush Pilot said:
Using a vacuum to clean up your reloading room is very dangerous. If your wife finds out that you really can operate a vacuum you'll be doing the entire house.

TheSaint · Apr 29, 2013

Bush Pilot said:
Using a vacuum to clean up your reloading room is very dangerous. If your wife finds out that you really can operate a vacuum you'll be doing the entire house.

Wifey safety precautions: They can't be ignored!

joecil · Apr 29, 2013

I use a small hand held shark brand vacuum for small amounts of powder. Every thing else is a rather large shop vac.

rondog · Apr 29, 2013

I find the whole "blowing up the vacuum" story very hard to swallow. Just like the "never tumble live rounds" myths. Show me photos of the damage! Prove it.

kendak · Apr 29, 2013

vacuum

I did that for years until I picked up a live primer with a small amout of powder & blew up my wifes Hoover...did it again last mo. with the new vacuum when it picked up a primer that it set off lucky no harm no powder ...I'll just sweep the loading room from now on ...the pair of Dillon 550's drop a primer every now & then ...take care Kent

kerreckt · Apr 29, 2013

I use a vacuum to suck up occasional powder spills on my reloading table and anything else that isn't fastened down or very heavy.

Kp321 · Apr 29, 2013

Live primers through some vacuums is bad news. Some Kirby and Hoover vacs run the sucked up debris through the fan, Dysons do not. Had an old Kirby with an aluminum fan, sucked up a live primer and it knocked a chunk out of a fan blade. Thirty years ago and I still hear about it!

oldreloader · Apr 29, 2013

I have a little 1.5 Gal shop vac from Wally World that takes care of all my spills.. It will eat shot, primers, powder and even a stray bullet if you get too close to it and never even hiccup!

bigdaa · Apr 29, 2013

Shop vac here. Never even considered it an issue as the quantity is very low and very infrequent.

velocette · Apr 29, 2013

Probably no problem with smokeless powder.
You might try it once with black powder. If you survive, you'll not suck up
black powder again.

Roger

witchhunter · Apr 30, 2013

I smoked a new Hoover, but have had no issues with a shop vac, maybe it has something to do with the roller brush on the hoover, creating static? BOOM! it went and I was on my way to Walmart before my bride found out....

788Ham · Apr 30, 2013

A foxtail broom and dust pan works for me, no blow ups here.

steve4102 · Apr 30, 2013

Here is an interesting video on static electricity and gun powder, both Black and Smokeless.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nm6PEdBcQ6s

brickeyee · Apr 30, 2013

Here is an interesting video on static electricity and gun powder, both Black and Smokeless.

It is not just static, but some vacs use a portion of the air to cool universal (brush) type motors.

Now you have 120 V sparks.

Use a shop vac.
They do not run intake air through an impeller without filtering, and usually have separate motor cooling inlets.

TenDriver · Apr 30, 2013

kendak said:
I did that for years until I picked up a live primer with a small amout of powder & blew up my wifes Hoover...did it again last mo. with the new vacuum when it picked up a primer that it set off lucky no harm no powder ...I'll just sweep the loading room from now on ...the pair of Dillon 550's drop a primer every now & then ...take care Kent

There are less destructive ways to get out of housework. I'll give you an A in creativity, however..... :evil:

mdi · Apr 30, 2013

rondog said:
I find the whole "blowing up the vacuum" story very hard to swallow. Just like the "never tumble live rounds" myths. Show me photos of the damage! Prove it.

I think it is one of those things that in theory, may happen, but in real life is as rare as obummer's patriotism...

vacuuming powder

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