ventilation systems for reloading

[mainecoon]

Is it worth getting a ventilation system if I plan on starting reloading? I would be working in a poorly ventilated basement. Does anyone use fume hoods or something similar for this?

 

[weaselfire]

Got a fan?

Jeff

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[ATLDave]

There aren't really fumes involved in the act of reloading, unless the temperatures are ridiculously high or something. Your wife painting her nails would be approximately one million times more fume-y, according to my pretty-sure-it's-right guess.
Possible exception: Spray lubes might be volatile. Either lube outside or use a non-spray lube. And, obviously, casting is a completely different ball game. Probably shouldn't dry tumble indoors either to be completely safe. But reloading itself? Nah.

 

[Mauser69]

IMHO there is absolutely no need for any ventilation as long as you are not casting bullets indoors or using a tumbler without a solid cover. A window and fan is a comfort issue, depending on the weather, but not needed for the act of loading ammunition.

 

[Reloadron]

Is it worth getting a ventilation system if I plan on starting reloading? I would be working in a poorly ventilated basement. Does anyone use fume hoods or something similar for this?

I wouldn't worry about airborne particulates when reloading. If you plan to load cast or exposed lead you can wear some latex disposable gloves available in any drugstore. Again, as to the air quality? I wouldn't overly worry about it.

Ron

 

[RandyP]

To follow up on that tumbling issue - use a few cut-up used dryer sheets each load to help absorb the dust -discard after each load- and if your tumbler has a slotted lid (like my Lyman Turbo Pro 1200) cover the slots with tape.

 

[ajandrs]

I'd agree with others that airborne particulates aren't much of a concern for me. The only time I know I'm introducing airborne crap is when separating dry media from cases so wearing a mask when doing that isn't a bad idea but I rarely remember to do that. Adding cut up dryer sheets to the tumbler does help some, but it's not a 100% fix.

I'd be more concerned about the carbon and lead on your fingers, which is why you shouldn't eat at the bench. But if you can keep your fingers out of your mouth and thoroughly wash your hands when done you shouldn't have to give a lot of thought to safety from contaminates.


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[Rule3]

Just don't use a tumbler with dry media inside, use it outside.

 

[AABEN]

YES you should have a fan that draws out the fumes for they are BAD for your health and any one in the house. It will do brain damage and nervous systems very bad for young kids. You can look it up on here

 

[ReloaderFred]

"YES you should have a fan that draws out the fumes for they are BAD for your health and any one in the house. It will do brain damage and nervous systems very bad for young kids. You can look it up on here"

That doesn't make any sense at all. I've reloaded in my house and shop for over 52 years, and my lead levels are within the norms and my health is way above average for my age group.

Fred

 

[P5 Guy]

I load in my garage, 'skeeters are a bigger concern. I use a fan to blow them away.

 

[mdi]

Oh no, not another is "Reloading is Dangerous?". There are items under most kitchen sinks that are more hazardous than reloading components. No offence to the OP intended, but where does this c**! come from? A pile of dirty (oily?) rags has more potential for fire than a half dozen open powder containers. How many folks store a gas can for lawn mower fuel in the garage?

If one gets into casting, then a fan to move air/smoke away from the caster is a good idea, but it is less hazardous than using ant/roach spray.

 

[spitballer]

My big concern is lead exposure rather than fumes: I've gotten to where I always wash my hands after reloading operations, especially when I've picked up that gnarly powder from decapped primers.

 

[ReloaderFred]

Good personal hygiene is the key to reducing lead exposure. Wash your hands after handling lead and after shooting, even with jacketed bullets. Keep your hands out of your mouth until you wash your hands, and don't eat or smoke while shooting or reloading.

That's about it for the most part.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[cougar1717]

Does anyone use fume hoods or something similar for this?

I know someone who used a bathroom fan to ventilate his gun cleaning area and reduce the solvent smell or when working on the finish of a stock, but there aren't any solvents in reloading. It's probably not a good idea to tumble brass indoors if there are kids 5 and under, but that is a dust mitigation problem and more ventilation does not help.

The place that needs a good ventilation system is an indoor range.

 

[GBExpat]

Is it worth getting a ventilation system if I plan on starting reloading? I would be working in a poorly ventilated basement. Does anyone use fume hoods or something similar for this?

Sounds to me like you should do something about the basement ventilation just because the basement is "poorly ventilated", not because of reloading.

There is no need for active ventilation at your reloading station, but I always prefer to keep the air in my space moving some.

I have an airflow plan in place for my usually-sealed-off-from-the-upstairs basement. There is always at least one fan providing constant minor air movement and I monitor RH levels (which I adjust, overnight, almost daily during warm weather with a dehumidifier). During most days during the Warm Time I open the doors to the 2 stairways to the basement and have a heavy boxfan blowing down one so that the cool(er) air comes up the other from my large ¾-bermed basement. It usually keeps the upstairs several degrees cooler during the summer and limits the amount of hours on the whole-house HVAC system.

 

[Scooter22]

You don't need it for reloading but stick a box fan in the window blowing out and open a window or door on the opposite side for cross ventilation. Works great on a damp basement and cheap compared to what a dehumidifier costs to run. But if you live in a high humidity area thats a different story.

 

[Orkan]

I recently installed a range hood over my annealing station.

https://forums.gunhive.com/topic/613/annealer-setup-got-some-more-refinements/2

 

[rskent]

The range hood idea seems pretty cool. Maybe not necessary, but cool anyway.

I used to tumble brass in my workshop with just a rag on top of the tumbler.
I had no idea it was a bad idea. You don’t know what you don’t know. Anyway
with shooting, working RSO duties, reloading with lead, tumbling in my shop
I was sure I must have lead poisoning for sure. My doctor thought it was dumb,
but ordered the test anyway. She was right I was being dumb. The test came out
less than one.
If it makes you feel better, you can where a has-mat suit when you reload. But I
think, as long as you don't lick the bullets before you seat them you will be fine.

 

[Orkan]

The range hood was very necessary for me. Carbon dioxide is nothing to play around with, and my annealing sessions go rather long sometimes. The discomfort I was feeling was completely alleviated by the addition of the range hood.

 

[GBExpat]

... I used to tumble brass in my workshop with just a rag on top of the tumbler. ...

One thing that stunned me years ago was reading that many folks, apparently, bought vibratory case cleaners (VCCs) that came with no lids.

I was surprised because (a) both of mine (bought many years apart) came with lids (which to me was an example of "of course!") and (b) I was reading that some of these lidless VCC people were actually running the things in_their_houses.

Actually, my first VCC came with 2 lids, one being a slotted sifter lid.

FWIW, I have only ever run my VCCs in my house ... with the lids tightly attached.

 

[rskent]

Orkin
Sorry, I guess I should have stated “Maybe not necessary for everyone”. My Bad. I am glad you have your situation fixed, and that the hood works
for you. I think its kinda cool. I can see where a vented hood would be useful in my workshop.

GBExpat
My tumbler came with a lid with slotted holes. I guess they weren’t to concerned about the dust being harmful to my health. They probably never thought of it.
Me neither, till I read about it here. Thank you High Road. I just set it outside on the patio when I use it now. And now I don't have to listen to it while its running. Win Win

 

[GBExpat]

... My tumbler came with a lid with slotted holes. I guess they weren’t to concerned about the dust being harmful to my health. They probably never thought of it.
Me neither, till I read about it ...

I'm with ya.

Actually, my initial concern was not (and, to be honest, it still is not) connected with potential health issues ... it is about putting all of that fine dust into my house. It really can become persistent & insidious mess inside over time ... especially with surfaces that load with any static charge.

 

[Walkalong]

No, you're not stirring anything up that is harmful.

Don't eat or drink after handling lead, don't pick your nose while loading either.

Ventilation for reloading other than bullet casting or tumbling? No

Clean habits? Absolutely.

Cast inside? Tumble inside? Not I.

 

[thomas15]

Originally Posted by Orkan

The range hood was very necessary for me. Carbon dioxide is nothing to play around with, and my annealing sessions go rather long sometimes. The discomfort I was feeling was completely alleviated by the addition of the range hood.

Applies also to cooking tacos on the stove top.