Wood dust on my Big Boss II

[N/A]

I bought my first reloading press not long ago, a Redding Big Boss II. A family member was using my garage and tools (without asking) while I was out and put a fine layer of MDF plywood dust on my press. I blew all of the visible dust out, but I didn't disassemble it or anything so it's not been 100% cleaned out.

Assuming it is salvageable, how should I go about cleaning it? Once I've got it cleaned, I'll be putting a cover on it as well as throttling my cousin so he doesn't accidentally use my shop again.

I've been doing some hardcore Google-ing to see what I can find out, but have not found that much about cleaning the Big Boss II. (Side note: can someone at Redding spring for a website designer? 50$ out of the press I just bought would take them further than they currently are )
Love this forum by the way. It's a wonderful resource.

Thanks!

 

[Bwana John]

Carbarator cleaner and regrease.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

Do you really think dust will ruin your press?

 

[Reeferman]

Me thinks a good shot of compressed air will make the planets align again. But I can relate to someone using things they shouldn’t be without first asking.

 

[Skgreen]

Nothing to fear,,, just about anything will work on dust,
Lube it afterwards.

 

[bersaguy]

I'd detail strip the press and put all the bits and peices in a 5 gallon bucket of gasoline for at least 24 hours, then transfer to a bucket of WD40 for another 24 hours....ok, just messin about. I've inadvertently done the same thing. Blow it off with some compressed air, wipe down the ram and exposed steel bits with a light coat of CLP, you'll be good to go

 

[edwardware]

Wipe it clean with rags torn from the tunics of virginal mermaids. . .

Seriously, just dust it off, maybe add some lube. The only mistake to avoid is mistaking WD40 for lube.

 

[FROGO207]

I would think that getting your cousin to come over and detail strip it and clean everything then reassemble would be ideal. But in the real world a good shot of compressed air and lube the ram after wiping it down will be all you need to do. Then put a lock on the door!!

 

[Tilos]

An old pillow case makes a nice dust cover for any press.
If you don't have one of those, snag a PAPER grocery bag on your next trip to the supermarket, makes a great dust cover too.

 

[N/A]

Do you really think dust will ruin your press?

Yeah man. I already melted it down.

 

[Shimitup]

Slap it with a towel a couple of times and use it.

 

[rayatphonix]

I’ve built 4 benches in my reloading room. All topped with oak tops, sanded, urethaned, sanded again, etc. just wipe it off and you’ll be fine.

 

[daboone]

Google "Datavac" then order one for your bench. That sawdust will be just one of the reasons you'll be happy it on your bench and around the house.

 

[egd]

From an old fart--How did we survive this long without the internet to answer life's questions?

 

[mdi]

Steel is much harder than wood dust. But it's a good idea to keep your tools/equipment clean. Wipe the bottom of the ram, before you run the ram up into the frame to keep any nasty dust out of the frame/ram bearing surface. Then run the ram up and wipe down the upper part. That's the most important part of press cleaning as this is the main wear point on a single stage press. A good squirt with an aerosol lube on the linkage will flood out any contaminate. A few drops of lube on the ram will suffice. I use a pillow case to cover my press too...

Lock the garage so no uninvited "craftsmen" can screw up your tools/equipment...

 

[Blue68f100]

I would have called him back and have him finish the job. Cleaning up afterwards is part of the job. Then he may be more tuned to what should happen.

 

[Rule3]

This sounds serious! After the compressed air treatment, Perhaps a Shop Vac and they wipe it down with some cleaner?

MDF should not even be in a shop. only thing worse is particle board. Gads you my need some special MDF solvent to dissolve all the chemicals in that crap!

 

[Michael Gallagher]

+1 ShopVac

 

[docv]

Blasting with compressed air, vacumming, hitting with a liberal sprays of mineral oil and carb cleaner, followed by wiping down and regreasing have succesfully gotten rid of such messes for me. Haven't seen my brother in years....

 

[ArchAngelCD]

This is a joke, right?

 

[kwg020]

Someone has previously said he uses a pillow case. I use a one gallon freezer bag over my presses. My presses and powder measure are actually clamped to my table saw so if I want to use the saw I have to take the presses off. If you have limited room, it works pretty good.
kwg

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

This is a joke, right?

Drive by tro!!?

 

[Zaydok Allen]

You should probably murder your cousin. Wait....... no. That's illegal.

Don't do that.

Just dust off your press instead.