Tennessee Snuffy Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 I have been using a Lee turret press to knock out rifle primers. This press is mounted on a steel plate. I also have knocked out some live primers with this press also. As you know, this press has three small slits that the primers fall in. So here is my question. I want to use a vacuum cleaner to suck out all the primers out thru the slits. Should I be concerned about some type of explosion with the live primers coming up thru the vacuum cleaner thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Widder, SASS #59054 Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 WELLLLLLLL, concern, yes. I don't know what the % might be, but I've had ONE live primer ignite while vacuuming. Of course, I don't make it a habit of vacuuming LIVE primers either. The vacuum was a belt driven type and the primer got between the belt and the rotary device and popped. It actually burnt the rubber belt, of which I smelled the rubber burning. There wasn't a fire of any kind, but the rubber belt got sizzled thru. ..........Widder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Hangtree Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 Probably a shop vac would do without risking a primer getting squished in the rotary head of an upright vac. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.S. Sooner, SASS #73526 Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 Invert the press to clean it out. One primer popping might not be an issue, but if dust & O2 levels are right, that may give you a boom you don't want. Compressed air may be another option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 PLZ-Just don't with a vacuum........ OLG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cypress Sun Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 Two questions...... How far away is the powder and how far away is the fire department? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Chance Morgun Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 29 minutes ago, Tennessee Snuffy said: I have been using a Lee turret press to knock out rifle primers. This press is mounted on a steel plate. I also have knocked out some live primers with this press also. As you know, this press has three small slits that the primers fall in. So here is my question. I want to use a vacuum cleaner to suck out all the primers out thru the slits. Should I be concerned about some type of explosion with the live primers coming up thru the vacuum cleaner thanks Are you talking about the press with the red base? And are you talking about the recessed area by the mounting bolts? I have a Lee turret, but I have no idea what slits you are talking about. Maybe you have a newer model than mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Texas jack Black SASS#9362 Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 This must be one of those storm related questions. So what I do is spritz them down then into the vac they go. Your turn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Widder, SASS #59054 Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 22 minutes ago, Cypress Sun said: Two questions...... How far away is the powder and how far away is the fire department? A man of wisdom. There's iron in his words. ..........Widder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G W Wade Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 Someone on here talked about putting one of your wives OLD nylons over the pickup tube on your shop vac to clean up around your shotshell loader. GW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tennessee Snuffy Posted February 13, 2019 Author Share Posted February 13, 2019 Thanks for the information. I took the safe way out -- I unbolted the press and picked up the primers that fell to the floor. Little work but no fire department was involved!!!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marauder SASS #13056 Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 That's always a win! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Widder, SASS #59054 Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 I've used a straw before with some chewing gum stuck on the tip to help 'pick up' small stuff when needed. ..........Widder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackface Charlie Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 vacuum cleaners = static electricity. let your conscious be your guide Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gateway Kid SASS# 70038 Life Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 1 hour ago, G W Wade said: Someone on here talked about putting one of your wives OLD Nylons over the pickup tube on your shop vac to clean up around your shotshell loader. GW Well that explains the LOOK I got after cleaning up the man cave the other day Figured newer was more better! Regards Gateway Kid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Rich Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 12 hours ago, Widder, SASS #59054 said: I've used a straw before with some chewing gum stuck on the tip to help 'pick up' small stuff when needed. ..........Widder When I started reading your post I thought you were going to say you sucked them out with a straw. kR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Widder, SASS #59054 Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 18 minutes ago, Kid Rich said: When I started reading your post I thought you were going to say you sucked them out with a straw. kR Can you imagine doing that and when the primer flies thru the straw, hits a tooth and........ POP! Actually, because we all have cleaning rods that will fit into small holes, the same process could be done with a cleaning rod and a small piece of gum.. ..........Widder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goody, SASS #26190 Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 When I was still loading on a Lee single stage I had somewhat the same dilemma. I solved it by drilling a large whole in the table top directly under where the primers were knocked out. I then cut a corresponding whole in the lid of an empty plastic Miracle Whip jar and nailed it on the bottom side of the table. Then screw the jar on and most of the primers would fall straight through and into the jar. Unscrew the jar occasionally and dump the accumulated primers. No muss, no fuss! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Mark Flint #31954 LIFE Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 A nice soft paint brush will also remove primers and other small trash from many spaces without much effort. Keep a 2" sash brush by my press for such stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Widder, SASS #59054 Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 1 hour ago, Goody, SASS #26190 said: When I was still loading on a Lee single stage I had somewhat the same dilemma. I solved it by drilling a large whole in the table top directly under where the primers were knocked out. I then cut a corresponding whole in the lid of an empty plastic Miracle Whip jar and nailed it on the bottom side of the table. Then screw the jar on and most of the primers would fall straight through and into the jar. Unscrew the jar occasionally and dump the accumulated primers. No muss, no fuss! GOODY, Every now and then, a 'classic' idea is put on the wire for many to benefit from. Although I don't use such a reloading press, I'm sure your idea will help others. ..........Widder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hashknife Cowboy Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 Once upon a time I vacuumed up a live large pistol magnum primer that ignited within the vacuum. It killed the vacuum cleaner and got my undivided attention. Scared my dog too. Be careful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheyenne Culpepper 32827 Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 1 hour ago, Hashknife Cowboy said: Once upon a time I vacuumed up a live large pistol magnum primer that ignited within the vacuum. It killed the vacuum cleaner and got my undivided attention. Scared my dog too. Be careful! same thing happened to our vacuum, altho my wife doesn't know what blew it up! It was a loose one that had escaped with filling tubes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Widder, SASS #59054 Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 18 minutes ago, Cheyenne Culpepper 32827 said: same thing happened to our vacuum, altho my wife doesn't know what blew it up! It was a loose one that had escaped with filling tubes Shy Annie, thats funny. I was using the vacuum when I heard the 'POP' and then I started smelling the burnt rubber. I knew then where the POP came from...... This was BEFORE my hearing deteriorated into oblivion. ..........Widder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oak creek martin Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 You are completely safe to use a shop vac type of vacuum to suck up primers. The items that go up the hose never go through a beater bar or any type of mechanical apparatus that would cause the primer to detonate. I would suggest that you clean up then empty the shop vac do not leave primer powders or any reloading residue in the shop vac. I do it all the time and have never had a problem. As far as using the shop vac to clean up gun powder. I am referring to very minimal amounts that sometimes get spilled on the bench or floor. You do have static discharge at times with a shop vac. But that usually comes from vacuuming up in large quantities of material that are of a dry fibrous content. Again just empty the shop vac as soon as you are done and you will be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Payne Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 I have a "friend" who was loading on a 650 after just loading 100 Federal 100's into the primer feeder. The handle stuck, & "my friend" thought he would just power thru it & force the handle down. Anyone know what happened? Anyone? That's right, the whole primer column lit up. After installing changing underwear this person called Dillon, who sent a whole new primer assembly. He said not to try to use any parts from the one that got killed. And, he said to hang the dead assembly on the wall right in front of me, I mean "my friend", as a reminder to never, ever do that again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Bill Burt Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 2 minutes ago, Max Payne said: I have a "friend" who was loading on a 650 after just loading 100 Federal 100's into the primer feeder. The handle stuck, & "my friend" thought he would just power thru it & force the handle down. Anyone know what happened? Anyone? That's right, the whole primer column lit up. After installing changing underwear this person called Dillon, who sent a whole new primer assembly. He said not to try to use any parts from the one that got killed. And, he said to hang the dead assembly on the wall right in front of me, I mean "my friend", as a reminder to never, ever do that again. I think I saw that 'friend' out with Ophelia not to long ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cypress Sun Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 3 hours ago, oak creek martin said: You are completely safe to use a shop vac type of vacuum to suck up primers. The items that go up the hose never go through a beater bar or any type of mechanical apparatus that would cause the primer to detonate. I would suggest that you clean up then empty the shop vac do not leave primer powders or any reloading residue in the shop vac. I do it all the time and have never had a problem. As far as using the shop vac to clean up gun powder. I am referring to very minimal amounts that sometimes get spilled on the bench or floor. You do have static discharge at times with a shop vac. But that usually comes from vacuuming up in large quantities of material that are of a dry fibrous content. Again just empty the shop vac as soon as you are done and you will be fine. Sorry Oak, I have to disagree. Granted, the chances of something happening are slim.......so are the chances of winning the Powerball lottery......but eventually someone does win. Cleaning up powder increases the risk dramatically. Why take the risk of burning down your dwelling and possibly others? Just don't see the reward versus risk. Each to their own I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Duncan Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 Use a shop vac. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Duncan Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 3 hours ago, Cypress Sun said: Sorry Oak, I have to disagree. Granted, the chances of something happening are slim.......so are the chances of winning the Powerball lottery......but eventually someone does win. Cleaning up powder increases the risk dramatically. Why take the risk of burning down your dwelling and possibly others? Just don't see the reward versus risk. Each to their own I guess. Some folks pipe natural gas into their house, they run the risk of an explosion. Don't get me started on burning scented candles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michigan Slim Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 My wife got a live primer in our Kirby. It popped but no Ill effects to the vacuum. Almost was to me however. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yusta B. Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 To really experience primer popping - ya have to spill some shot on your MEC 600, meticulously clean it up and then discover - on your first hull after the incident - you missed 2 pieces of shot hiding in the priming well. Major underwear incident ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheyenne Culpepper 32827 Posted February 15, 2019 Share Posted February 15, 2019 I once popped a 22 shell as I was depriming a 44-40 case,,,it had hidden in the 44 case and popped on the downstroke,,, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nawlins Kid SASS #36107 Posted February 15, 2019 Share Posted February 15, 2019 A few years ago I had about 40 primers ignite in my Dillon 650, after my ears stop ringing I could hear my better half upstairs asking if I was ok. What the picture is the primer tube from the machine. Not only that the "blast" destroyed the tube it "welded" primers to the rotary primer disk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Widder, SASS #59054 Posted February 15, 2019 Share Posted February 15, 2019 They make Asbestos underwear just for these occasions..... ..........Widder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoss Posted February 16, 2019 Share Posted February 16, 2019 I recently got a 10G. Using brass hulls. Was knocking out fired primers with a punch and hammer. Yup, had one that had not been fired get mixed in the batch. Boom! (209 shotgun primer, not Large pistol like most brass hulls). My thumb on hand holding the punch got a pretty good blast. Drove a pepper size piece of something under the skin. Had to dig it out without the wife noticing. She was pretty upset over the primer pop. Moral of the story: double check every Hull before knocking “spent” primer out. Always wear glasses (I was) probably should have been wearing gloves, but they are a pain. Don’t deprive live primers when your wife is home! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.