GSPKurt
Member
I am about to, and would like to know if I can substitute denatured alcohol for 99% IPA. I can get denatured alcohol locally, not so for 99% IPA.
Make your own case lube?
- Thread starter GSPKurt
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I would like to try methyl alcohol and lanolin instead of isopropyl alcohol but do not know what the difference between the two is, for now I will stick to impartial sizing die wax, or straight lanolin applied with my fingers until I get an answer myself!
Swampman
Old Fart
To my knowledge, "Denatured" alcohol simply means alcohol that has been made undrinkable for recreational purposes.
If by 99% IPA you mean 99% Isopropyl Alcohol, rest assured, it is definitely denatured!
If you are referring to common 70% "rubbing alcohol", it is usable for making case lube, but be advised that it will not be a very satisfactory substitution.
The alcohol in this instance acts as a "carrier", its only function is to dilute the lanolin, allowing it to evenly coat your cases before quickly evaporating away.
If your alcohol is 30% water, it won't evaporate quickly and won't evenly coat the cases with lube.
It's not the cheapest way to buy it, but Iso Heet gas drier from your local auto parts store works very well and evaporates quickly.
Make sure you get ISO Heet and NOT regular Heet.
I would strongly advise that methyl alcohol NOT be used in anything that will likely be in contact with with any liviing thing that you care to preserve.
If by 99% IPA you mean 99% Isopropyl Alcohol, rest assured, it is definitely denatured!
If you are referring to common 70% "rubbing alcohol", it is usable for making case lube, but be advised that it will not be a very satisfactory substitution.
The alcohol in this instance acts as a "carrier", its only function is to dilute the lanolin, allowing it to evenly coat your cases before quickly evaporating away.
If your alcohol is 30% water, it won't evaporate quickly and won't evenly coat the cases with lube.
It's not the cheapest way to buy it, but Iso Heet gas drier from your local auto parts store works very well and evaporates quickly.
Make sure you get ISO Heet and NOT regular Heet.
I would strongly advise that methyl alcohol NOT be used in anything that will likely be in contact with with any liviing thing that you care to preserve.
FROGO207
Member
The method of mixing the two ingredients is mixing when warm. You need to heat them in a hot water bath----not directly on the heat. I would not do that with methyl alcohol. FYI I use 95% IPA with good results here as that was what was available at my local drug store the last few times. Tried the lower percentage IPA (75%?) and it would settle out almost immediately and clog the sprayer so not worth the bother IMO. I just give the pump sprayer a couple quick shakes and start to spray---works well.
JohnM
Member
Why? For a few bucks you can get all you'll need of about any of the best lubes ever made without fooling around.
Mike 27
Member
Denatured alcohol has no oils. Don't really know about the drink ability, and would not try it. Isopropyl has oils added to it does not dry skin as badly. We use Denatured on aircraft all the time for cleaning parts and flushing engines to avoid freezing up here in Alaska.
jcwit
member
To much water in denatured alchol I believe. Can you get Everclear down there in FL?
OP
OP
GSPKurt
Member
LOL!! Yup, but it ain't cheap!
OP
OP
GSPKurt
Member
Thanks, Mike. That's the answer I was looking for. I can get denatured alcohol easier than 99% IPA (isopropyl alcohol)
From what I learned in chemistry, back when the teachers wore tall pointy hats and carried wands, denatured alcohol is simply ethanol (grain alcohol) with methanol (wood alcohol) added to make it poisonous and discourage it being consumed. I have a gallon of 99% IPA so I used it to make the Dillon Lube clone and it worked very well. The answer to the OP's question is TRY IT. The most you will lose is a couple of ounces of alcohol and a fraction of an ounce of Lanolin.
I used a 4 oz mixing bottle and put the mixture in an old Zycam spray bottle. It holds 1 ounce which is enough for many hundreds of cases. I do the Ziplock bag thingy and just a couple of squirts is enough for a hundred cases.
I used a 4 oz mixing bottle and put the mixture in an old Zycam spray bottle. It holds 1 ounce which is enough for many hundreds of cases. I do the Ziplock bag thingy and just a couple of squirts is enough for a hundred cases.
jcwit
member
For those wondering about using denatured alcohol, here is your answer
http://www.frfrogspad.com/homemade.htm#Sizing
As cheap as Unique is why not just use it?
http://www.frfrogspad.com/homemade.htm#Sizing
As cheap as Unique is why not just use it?
USSR
Member
Please note my signature line.
Don
Don
I understand doing something just for the heck of it ---- but it still makes no sense to me to make your own case lube.
I shoot about 30,000 rds of metallic cartridges a yr ...and I don't think I've used up one spray bottle of Dillon case lube ...in the last 3 or 4 yrs...( for about $ 9 ) a bottle....
so call it one $ 9 -- 8 oz bottle ....to lube 100,000 cases ..../ and even if I've forgotten, and bought a bottle ...call it $ 9 for 50,000 cases...???
I shoot about 30,000 rds of metallic cartridges a yr ...and I don't think I've used up one spray bottle of Dillon case lube ...in the last 3 or 4 yrs...( for about $ 9 ) a bottle....
so call it one $ 9 -- 8 oz bottle ....to lube 100,000 cases ..../ and even if I've forgotten, and bought a bottle ...call it $ 9 for 50,000 cases...???
I started making my own after I bought a bottle of Cabalas case lube it stuck 3 out of 5 223 cases they sized like they were dry I've been using the 70% alcohol with great results but the next batch will be the 99% alcohol like Swampman explained ...
So the reason I make my own is because I dumped the cabalas lube and I had the empty bottle ...
So the reason I make my own is because I dumped the cabalas lube and I had the empty bottle ...
Look, people like to try things just to see if it works. It's their time and so long as it doesn't pose a danger to them (like making "Purple Dot" shotgun powder by mixing Red Dot and Blue Dot), why complain?
Purple Dot: I heard that one back in 1977 at a shotgun range where 2 old coots were talking about their loads. I was just a kid back then and I think they were saying it just to fill the air.
Other case lubes:
STP Oil treatment
Bag Balm
Vaseline
Pam cooking spray
K-Y jelly
Crisco
Shampoo
Olive Oil
leftover drippings from an oil change (new oil, not used)
Slick 50
Silicone spray
Rain-X
Purple Dot: I heard that one back in 1977 at a shotgun range where 2 old coots were talking about their loads. I was just a kid back then and I think they were saying it just to fill the air.
Other case lubes:
STP Oil treatment
Bag Balm
Vaseline
Pam cooking spray
K-Y jelly
Crisco
Shampoo
Olive Oil
leftover drippings from an oil change (new oil, not used)
Slick 50
Silicone spray
Rain-X
tyeo098
Member
Kiwi - brand mink oil shoe waterproofing.
Made of Mink Oil, Lanolin and Silicone.
Best stuff ever. Not a stuck case ever since I started using it sizing 223 brass.
Made of Mink Oil, Lanolin and Silicone.
Best stuff ever. Not a stuck case ever since I started using it sizing 223 brass.
loadedround
Member
IPA (iso-propyl alcohol) is nothing more than rubbing alcohol sold in any drug store or super market.
1SOW
Member
Water-based wax case lube is mighty cheap and lasts a long time if used frugally.
It is also not detrimental if a little gets 'inside' the case.
It is also not detrimental if a little gets 'inside' the case.
jcwit
member
Did any of you read the rest of the link I provided earlier? One can even use liquid dish deturgent on a pad for case lube.
thump_rrr
Member
I have had no success using 99% IPA and. Anhydrous Lanolin.
I warmed up both ingredients to 130 degrees in a water bath and mixed them together.
The 2 parts quickly separated and as it cooled the Lanolin clumped up in the bottom of the container.
I made a second attempt with the only difference being that I tried to homogenize it in a laboratory grade blender with the same result.
I guess I will need to get some liquid lanolin and try again unless someone has a better suggestion.
I warmed up both ingredients to 130 degrees in a water bath and mixed them together.
The 2 parts quickly separated and as it cooled the Lanolin clumped up in the bottom of the container.
I made a second attempt with the only difference being that I tried to homogenize it in a laboratory grade blender with the same result.
I guess I will need to get some liquid lanolin and try again unless someone has a better suggestion.
jcwit
member
Thats what the directions I posted say to use.
MarshallDodge
Member
I make my own by placing a couple drops of vegetable oil, a drop of dish soap, and a teaspoon of rubbing alchohol in an gallon zip lock bag. Throw in 50 223 cases and shake well until everything is coated. Set out in a case tray and let dry, typically about 20 minutes in the dry Utah air.
There are better case lubes but this works fine for me. Nice and thin which prevents dents.
There are better case lubes but this works fine for me. Nice and thin which prevents dents.
traderpats
Member
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2008
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- 45
Yeah the liquid lanolin is what you need. Do NOT have to heat it either, well if using the 99% iso it's not needed anyways. I just mixed measured amounts in a spray bottle and shook. The mixture has stayed in suspension for months when not in use. Actually I've never seen it settle out. Hope that helps...
I have had no success using 99% IPA and. Anhydrous Lanolin.
I warmed up both ingredients to 130 degrees in a water bath and mixed them together.
The 2 parts quickly separated and as it cooled the Lanolin clumped up in the bottom of the container.
I made a second attempt with the only difference being that I tried to homogenize it in a laboratory grade blender with the same result.
I guess I will need to get some liquid lanolin and try again unless someone has a better suggestion.
I have had no success using 99% IPA and. Anhydrous Lanolin.
I warmed up both ingredients to 130 degrees in a water bath and mixed them together.
The 2 parts quickly separated and as it cooled the Lanolin clumped up in the bottom of the container.
I made a second attempt with the only difference being that I tried to homogenize it in a laboratory grade blender with the same result.
I guess I will need to get some liquid lanolin and try again unless someone has a better suggestion.
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