Pillow Ticking

[Coyote Rider]

I've seen posts say to buy .012 or .015 or .017 cotton pillow ticking to patch balls, but when I go to a fabric store it says 6 oz. pillow ticking or something like that. Anyone know how to translate? Also, for cleaning patches, any particular kind of flannel recommended?

Thanks!

 

[Plink]

About the only method I trust when choosing pillow ticking is to take a micrometer to the store and measure thickness. Their oz rating isn't very accurate and thickness varies between stores on identical oz weights. I've had good luck with pillow ticking from Walmart. It runs .016-.017 by my mic and is pretty tough.

 

[arcticap]

Many folks bought pre-cut & labeled patches previously sold with the "Ox-Yolk" brand name from Milo, Maine- commonly available in .005, .010, .015, .018 (ticking) .020 thicknesses.
Now they're being sold under another name by Eastern Maine Shooting Supplies Inc. 1-207-943-8808 also in Milo, Maine & just up the street from the old company.
They also made patches sold under the TC label, and both can be found unlubricated and lubricate.
Spending a few extra dollars to get the right patch thickness instead of buying bulk isn't so bad. I wonder what happens to the thickness of the bulk material once the factory applied fabric sizing is washed out of it and if it shrinks?
EMSS also may sell some bulk cloth too, and there's some other manufacturers that may be even less expensive. Just ask if you want more leads.
I use old tee shirts and such to make cleaning patches!

 

[Zeke/PA]

I'll second Plink's method of taking a micrometer to the fabric store.
Respectfully, Zeke

 

[AzShooter1]

Go to the fabric store or WalMart, bring your caliper and get what you want. If you can get a half yard of a variety of material. Ticking is good, I like denim also. One of these days I'm going to try Irish Linnen.

No matter what you get take it home, wash it and let it dry. That's the time to take the final measurement before you test for accuracy. Once you find out what works go back and buy a yard or two. That should last you a long time.

 

[Steve499]

As far as cleaning patches go, I cut up old T-shirts with a rotary fabric cutter. You can cut several thicknesses at once and, even though all three girls are grown and gone, I have enough old T-shirts they left here from their teenage years to last me for life.

Steve

 

[sundance44s]

Walley World

I buy my pillow ticking at Walley World by the yard ...Just hope the lady working is over 50 ..if not she may not know what pillow ticking is ...I had to retrain a young gal in the fabric dept ...she said pillow what ???
The dark blue striped ticking is around .018 and the red striped is a little thicker around .020 ... its cheap enough to buy up several yards so ya won`t have to bother for a year or so ..

 

[doctundra]

"I wonder what happens to the thickness of the bulk material once the factory applied fabric sizing is washed out of it and if it shrinks?"

Washed out some thicker-than-average linen that miked .018" at the store. With the sizing gone, it now mikes at .015/.010 crushed.

Shot good, tho.