Reloading over carpet
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THe Dove
BOOMER SOONER!!!
Randy
I reload in a carpeted room and have done so for many moons. I don't think the quantity of powder residual on the floor is enough to worry about, barring a total dumping of the keg. I have vacuumed the room many times and never had a problem. Just be careful not to spill the powder on the floor.
The Dove
I reload in a carpeted room and have done so for many moons. I don't think the quantity of powder residual on the floor is enough to worry about, barring a total dumping of the keg. I have vacuumed the room many times and never had a problem. Just be careful not to spill the powder on the floor.
The Dove
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Throw down a drop cloth under where you are reloading.
Floppy_D
Member In Memoriam
I vacuum my carpeted reloading room all the time, just to stick it to the man. As long as it's "the occasional flake" and not "whoopsadaisy, there goes a pound" you should be fine.
I keep a wet rag around, and wipe the surfaces to prevent stuff from making it to the ground, if I can.
MMCSRET
Member
My gun/reloading room is carpeted. I use a shop vac, some saw dust and flour dust is just a flammable as the very small quantities of powder. The shop vac is good for primers too, the new primers detonate in the Hoover.
earplug
Member
Primer in Vacuum
I Have never heard of a problem with sucking up powder. I have read that a live primer can be set off by the impeller on a vacuum. This might start a fire.
As risky as sucking up strike anywhere matches with a shopvac full of saswduct.
I Have never heard of a problem with sucking up powder. I have read that a live primer can be set off by the impeller on a vacuum. This might start a fire.
As risky as sucking up strike anywhere matches with a shopvac full of saswduct.
I've been vacuuming powder for 40 years. I'll get it all cleaned up some day.
You are the only one who can make safety decisions for yourself.
A guy on another forum said he was vacuuming primers and static electricity set one off. It went pop. Nothing damaged, other than making him poop.
Smokeless gunpowder does NOT explode in a vacuum. It must be rigidly contained in a small confined space, which is the opposite of a vacuum. To demonstrate that gunpowder is safe when ignited in an open atmosphere, take some powder outside and light it on fire. It burns so slowly it's boring. It's not a threat unless rigidly contained.
Nevertheless, you make your own safety decisions for yourself. You be responsible for yourself. Don't let anyone else dictate to you.
You are the only one who can make safety decisions for yourself.
A guy on another forum said he was vacuuming primers and static electricity set one off. It went pop. Nothing damaged, other than making him poop.
Smokeless gunpowder does NOT explode in a vacuum. It must be rigidly contained in a small confined space, which is the opposite of a vacuum. To demonstrate that gunpowder is safe when ignited in an open atmosphere, take some powder outside and light it on fire. It burns so slowly it's boring. It's not a threat unless rigidly contained.
Nevertheless, you make your own safety decisions for yourself. You be responsible for yourself. Don't let anyone else dictate to you.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
I would be more concerned about all the sharp little brass shavings from trimming cases, and other scrap metal that gets caught in pile carpeting. Hurts like heck when you step on one barefoot and it sticks in your foot.
rc
rc
jerkface11
Member
Besides if you blow up your vacuum think of the awesome internet post it will lead to.
472x1A/B
Member
I too have been vacuuming up spilled powder for years. Never a problem. Used hand-held, the wifes ElectroLux, shop-vacs and no sparks, fireworks shows, or explosions. And my fair share of live primers too. No problems on my side of the world.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
And any self-respecting lawyer could make you Rich & Famous!
Just think!
Sue the reloading company.
The primer company.
The powder company.
The rug company.
The VAC company.
And the Electric company for good measure!
Just the out-of-court settlement offers would be enough to retire on!
rc
Just think!
Sue the reloading company.
The primer company.
The powder company.
The rug company.
The VAC company.
And the Electric company for good measure!
Just the out-of-court settlement offers would be enough to retire on!
rc
Izaak Walton
Member
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"Cough" Shop Vac. Just add water.
rfwobbly
Member
Just not over a shag rug.
NuJudge
Member
If you vacuum up a primer, it will probably pop. Just ask my wife . . .
CDD
CDD
ArchAngelCD
Member.
I'm way too cheap to leave a live primer on the floor. I use them all no matter how long it takes to find a dropped one!!!
moooose102
Member
i also reload over a carpeted floor. vacuum quite often, never had a problem. but, if it makes you nervous, just go to your local flooring center, and buy a small peice of vinyl flooring to put down under your reloading spot. just sit it on top of the carpet (or you could build a small 2x2 framework w/ 3/8 plywood to have a slightly elevated work space), and when you want to clean up, it will be a breeze. if you want, you could even pick it up and put it out of sight when company comes over.
Strongbad
Member
The only isssue I've ever heard about (think I read it in a magazine actually) was where a guy spilled some live primers (powder wont do it) and his wife vaccuumed them up and one or more of them went off.
paperpuncher49
Member
Quote: The only isssue I've ever heard about (think I read it in a magazine actually) was where a guy spilled some live primers (powder wont do it) and his wife vaccuumed them up and one or more of them went off.
And I would add, the world did not come to an end, the vacvuum cleaner was not destroyed, and the house did not burn down. Spilling powder on a carpet is not an issue. Use a dustpan/brush to pick up as much as possible and vacuum the rest, including primers. It's no big deal.
And I would add, the world did not come to an end, the vacvuum cleaner was not destroyed, and the house did not burn down. Spilling powder on a carpet is not an issue. Use a dustpan/brush to pick up as much as possible and vacuum the rest, including primers. It's no big deal.
Shrinkmd
Member
I was cleaning up tonight after my first actual loading (Dardas 158 gr SWC over 3 gr of Bullseye on Hornady single stage press and dies, CCI primer) I must have checked and rechecked everything a thousand times! I guess a little obsessing is a good thing, eh? I must have weighed and reweighed every charge. The measure is throwing 3 or 3.1 pretty consistently.
Anyway, when cleaning up, I swabbed the whole bench and the floor area with a wet paper towel, after sweeping up as many of the tiny single specks of powder I could find. Should I be worried (although reading this post so far I'm thinking the answer should be "no") about these tiny single specks of powder, probably less than a grain or so scattered over the benchtop, now wiped up with a wet paper towel?
Oh, thanks everyone for mentioning that the dryer sheets get rid of the static and powder sticking everywhere and to everything (the measure reservoir, the scale, the scale pan, the end of the measure funnel...) I wiped everything down good with the dryer sheet, and I was even able to (I think) get every last speck of powder out of the measure.
I truly appreciate all the advice to always start with a single stage, even if you know you will go progressive. There is no way I would be comfortable using one yet. Maybe soon, but for now I am quite happy cranking them out one at a time and obsessing over each one. I know this will pass, but I'm hoping that the smile on my face at the range lasts a long time.
Anyway, when cleaning up, I swabbed the whole bench and the floor area with a wet paper towel, after sweeping up as many of the tiny single specks of powder I could find. Should I be worried (although reading this post so far I'm thinking the answer should be "no") about these tiny single specks of powder, probably less than a grain or so scattered over the benchtop, now wiped up with a wet paper towel?
Oh, thanks everyone for mentioning that the dryer sheets get rid of the static and powder sticking everywhere and to everything (the measure reservoir, the scale, the scale pan, the end of the measure funnel...) I wiped everything down good with the dryer sheet, and I was even able to (I think) get every last speck of powder out of the measure.
I truly appreciate all the advice to always start with a single stage, even if you know you will go progressive. There is no way I would be comfortable using one yet. Maybe soon, but for now I am quite happy cranking them out one at a time and obsessing over each one. I know this will pass, but I'm hoping that the smile on my face at the range lasts a long time.
CapnMac
Member
Another thing you can do over carpet is to go by the office supply place and get a carpet protector--onle of those nifty cleat vinyl deals they have at the office so your chair will roll around. Also called a chair mat. His lil' spikes molded in to grip the carpet and not wander around, too. About $20 out the door (and can be found for less by shopping).
You're correct, the answer is no. You shouldn't let the grains build up though, a once over with a shop-vac or a dust buster should get most of it.Shrinkmd said:
That being said, I would suggest examining your reloading process. Sounds like you spill more than the average reloader does. I honestly don't think I leave a single flake on the bench after a reloading session. Where in the process do you think the tiny spills are coming from?
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