Reducing static

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tcoz

tcoz

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South Carolina Lowcountry
I have a question about reducing static buildup in my powder handling apparatus. I use the Lee Pro Auto Disk and I've read a number of posts about people applying graphite to various parts to improve powder flow, but a lot of people rub dryer sheets inside the reservoir and also mention taping them to the outside to reduce static buildup. Are these used or unused dryer sheets and if they're unused, don't they leave a chemical residue on everything. I currently add a used sheet to my tumbler each time, but I know that's for it's absorbency properties. Here in humid SC, we don't have a big issue with static buildup in our homes other than certain times during the winter when the furnace is running a lot, but I've been curious for awhile and would like to file this information away.
 
For new powder measures, I rub the inside of the hopper down with a dryer sheet. I also store a dryer sheet in the measure when the measure is not in use.

Powder has a coating of a graphite material the helps keep the powder from clumping as well a other attributes.

Over time, this material will coat the inside of the powder measure hopper and greatly reduce the effects of static.

Except for dusting or a shot of compressed air, I never clean a powder measure with any kind of liquid or solvent. It washes away the graphite coating.
 
Today was another "snow day" so I went upstairs to reload some stuff.

With my daughters gone it was pretty cold up there. I was loading some RETUMBO for the first time, and it was a lot colder than I have ever worked before.

Static was terrible. Does cold, or RETUMBO promote more static than normal.

I measure each load, and then pour into case via a green funnel. Every pour had a dozen of so pieces of powder, "dancing" around in the funnel.

Many firsts today, none of them good, and I hope to not revisit.
 
Winter Cold equals dry air equals more static.

You don't have static problems when the humidity is high in the summer unless your A/C is drying the house out.

I gets so bad here in the winter I have to spray my truck seats with Static-Guard to keep from getting my dauber knocked of every time I get in & out.

We have a humidifier on the furnace to keep the house comfortable.

rc
 
I have used a new dryer sheet in my Chargemaster from time to time. I haven't noticed any chemical buildup from the sheet. Just clamp it in a hemostat and run it around the reservoir (and your funnel too). Does help with static...
 
Being in Georgia with lots of humidity, typically, I have not had a lot of trouble with static. That is until the winter. As others have said dry air equals static. Still not too bad, but the other day i was getting the dancing particles in my funnel. So I grabbed a USED dryer sheet that I use for tumbling and rubbed down the funnel with it. The static was actually worse after doing that. So I would suggest using a new sheet. I guess the chemicals that they add to the sheets to neutralize the static disparate with use in the dryer. I like RCs suggestion of a can of static guard.
 
On all of my powder hoppers and funnels, I use the sheets of Downey or whatever brand my wife has available and wipe the outside of them with a fresh sheet.

One sheet goes a long ways, also on my black powder hopper which is made by Lyman, just as a precaution I'll use a sheet.
 
On my PAD I puff a little graphite on the base and on the top of the disk everytime I have it apart. Just for ease of use. I keep a new dryer sheet inside my hopper for static.
 
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