The anti-static quest.

[P95Carry]

Fine powders, dry air .... periodically static is a problem. I try and use very light weight aluminum scale pans but at times use a plastic funnel .. plastic of course being the main problem item. All not helped I admit by a man-made fiber carpet - and on that in loading area a plastic protector mat too.

Just fishing really - to see if anyone has any ''pet'' methods for reducing or obviating the static problem with powders.

 

[dhg2]

Static mitigation...

I know it sounds goofy, but it works for me. Take a "bounce" fabric softener (dryer) sheet and wipe your whole powder measure assembly from top to bottom and then tape it around the powder reservior. I change it about every six months.

HTH,
Doug Giraud
www.giraudtool.com

 

[ocabj]

I use a plastic funnel as well. I use the dryer sheet trick dhg2 mentioned. I use Bounce when I tumble, in my media separator, in the powder measure, and to wipe my funnel. Keeps the dust down in the tumbler, prevents static build-up in the media seperator, measure, and funnel because they're all pretty much plastic.

 

[GM7RQK]

How about an anti static mat as used for computer repair/assembly, earthed through a 1 megohm resistor, shouldn't cause sparks but will bleed away the charge of anything laid on it. I'm no expert on reloading so feel free to shoot me down (no not literaly ) but I think it might just work.

Stephen

 

[Dave R]

Back in the days when computers were fragile, and anti-static mats were expensive....

We used to just fill a spray bottle with watered-down liquid fabric soaftener and give a light spray around the carpet. Killed static from the carpet pretty good. Never saw a problem from long-term buildup on the carpet.

 

[Nero Steptoe]

Wipe the parts down with a used, not new, dryer sheet...much more effective!

 

[P95Carry]

Hmmm .. how long have I been reloading?! Too long, and .. despite remembering mentions of Bounce sheets . have never tried that out .... now - it is definitely on the cards! Thx guys.

GM7 .... have thought of that too .... maybe a further worthwhile addition .... I guess even a 100k would be well adequate to control any discharge. Earth spike here we come!

 

[stans]

I use the dryer sheet thing too, works like a charm. They also work for cleaning the exteriors of TV's and computer monitors. Just make sure the TV or monitor is turned off before cleaning.

 

[NavajoNPaleFace]

Yepper....dryer fabric softener sheets are the way to go.

 

[only1asterisk]

I have been known to wear a groung strap, esp. when loading for BP rifles.
I'm horribly alergic to fabric softeners, but that may work for some folks.


David

 

[rammy]

I read some where that you could use graphite (sp??) to help stop static build-up. just a light coating on the plastic to help stop it. anyone else heard of it?

 

[Johnny Guest]

Looks as if the fabric softener sheets - -

- - are the majority favorite.

I've had good success washing the powder funnel with dishwashing liquid, rinsing with warm water, and drying well.

Best,
Johnny

 

[P95Carry]

Excellent responses all round ... thx everyone.

 

[Mike Irwin]

Put a humidifier in your loading area, along with a hygrometer.

Stable humidity year round will help prevent all sorts of problems over the long term with gunstocks, furniture, etc.

Get a can of Static Guard. There are probably going to be days when nothing you do seems to work.

Pay attention to your desk chair. The foam rubber and man made materials can cause tremendous static build up. I've found that draping a 100% cotton sheet over the chair in winter helps.

 

[Mike Irwin]

MWithers,

Smokeless gunpowder is already coated in graphite, that's why most of it is the dull gray color.

 

[P95Carry]

Thx Mike .... in fact with current heating and then A/C in summer ... control is not too bad ... hadn't thought of the hygrometer tho must admit.

OK ...... QUESTION!!! ........... anyone .....

I am trying to work out what actually is the mechanism with ''anti-static'' cloths, solutions etc??? I can imagine for some reason they inhibit charge formation but any charge already present, unless grounded to provide a ''leak'' .... what happens to that?

I feel I should know this but never explored an explanation.

 

[rammy]

Mike...

Thats it! that where I read that. In the manual for my lee powder measure!!!



from the Lee Perfect Powder measure book.

"If using the measure for the first time you must process at least one hopper full of powder through the measure to coat the nylon parts with graphite from the powder. This conditioning is importnt so static electricity will be bled off. Otherwise, you'll find the measure continues to dispense charges progressively heavier. this need only be done once."

thanks mike for reminding me where i saw that.

 

[NavajoNPaleFace]

I've got the RCBS volume loader I use for mass runs of target ammo.

The directions said the same thing but even after it's many uses and a graphite coating it still gets static build up.

But, I guess it's expected in Arizona where the average humidity runs 14% and often even lower.

After reading Mike's post about Static Guard it reminded me of my wife using it to take static cling out of her work dresses in the morning.

 

[Neal Bloom]

I've used the spray bottle with fabric softner in it.

 

[Mike Irwin]

I forgot to mention one thing about Static Guard.

If you're not in a well ventilated space, clear out after you spray it.

Nasty wicked odor.

 

[P95Carry]

Nasty wicked odor.

I discovered that Mike ..... this summer .... after spraying the truck seat!!

 

[Mike Irwin]

Huh...

I don't see how you would be able to notice it over the combined "old man/squeak & bubble/cordite" odor, Chris...





Hey, do you have running water in your shed out back? Just curious if you ever thought about putting in a sprinkler system in case of the unthinkable.

 

[P95Carry]

Hahaha! ... got me Mike!! Like the allusion to cordite too ...... seeing as I have about 1500 rounds of real old corrosive .303 .. all cordite!

Re sprinkler .. regretably no ... no water down in the office shed ....... could be worth running a line down this end in the summer .. may well do just that. You have tho made me think .... and in the old-old shed I have a largish CO2 extinguisher ... and also a dry powder too IIRC ... I shall transport them into this building I think - soon .... could be wise.



"old man/squeak & bubble/cordite" ROTFLMAO!

 

[Khornet]

I've alway rinsed

any new plastic reloading device in dilute dishwashing soap, and let dry without rinsing off the soap. Works great, only have to do it once.

Does that mean I'm as old as Johnny Guest?

 

[P95Carry]

Does that mean I'm as old as Johnny Guest?

Hmmm .... better not comment!! Mind you - I'm very much ''up there'' myself!

I am still wanting to find out the exact mechanism by which dish soap, ''softeners'', Bounce cloths etc .. actually negate static charge build up. I should be well able to work it out ... at least theorize but right now ... not achieved that.

Must be to do with static charge being on surface as against inner part of structures.