Jump to content
SASS Wire Forum

brass/shell pickup tools


Buckshot Blaine

Recommended Posts

A small bucket with a short rope tied to the bail.

 

A small shrimp / minnow net attached to a longer handle. 

 

Avoid the metal kitchen strainers attached to a long handle. They tend to get bent easily because people like to lean on them 

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

15 hours ago, Buckshot Blaine said:

what is good to use for the basket for brass/shell pickup to go along with the grabber?

I use a tin cup.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to comment
Share on other sites

15 minutes ago, TN Mongo, SASS #61450 said:

 

I use a similar fish net I got at Walmart for $5.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

17 hours ago, Sedalia Dave said:

A small bucket with a short rope tied to the bail.

I hate those

A small shrimp / minnow net attached to a longer handle. 

I hate those

Avoid the metal kitchen strainers attached to a long handle. They tend to get bent easily because people like to lean on them 

I love these.  Skyhawk Hans has one that I use when I spell him as brass picker.  It is a thick mesh, has never bent, is easy to turn to dump brass onto table or into another brass cup if more than one picker, etc.

So, there is obviously some personal preference and YMMV to this.

 

4 hours ago, Matthew Duncan said:

I use a tin cup.

This is what I've used for years (actually a small boy scout cook pot).  I pick it up and set it down on the ground with the picker.  Move it around on the ground so it is sitting close to the empties.  Easy to set it on the ground forward of the firing line when reaching over fences or out of windows for those Marlin shooters. 

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

i have an old thrown away kitchen strainer attached to an old thrown away swiffer handle and i dont lean on it its lasted over 15 years now , along with one of those pickers 

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I use a french fry basket (from Amazon) that I attached to a cut-off metal broom handle.  Stuffed the basket handle into the end of the broom handle.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

21 hours ago, Badlands Bob #61228 said:

The absolute best brass pickup tool is an energetic 12 year old.

And where would one find such a creature?  Amazon?

  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, Renegade Roper said:

And where would one find such a creature?  Amazon?

Your local skateboard park.

 

TM

Link to comment
Share on other sites

IMHO no matter what is used it has to have a perforated bottom.  So many times I’m at the ULT trying to get off the table before the next shooter gets there and when the brass shows up it’s all mixed up with rocks and debris.  Personally I use the bucket and string method, it will sit on the floor.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

i agree - i kinda like the cane yoiu can lean on and side mounted basket - i see a new project in the winters agenda , i have both canes and baskets to work with these days , 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have a pencil basket from office max that I mounted to a handle. Drilled extra holes in the bottom. A few shakes and most of the dirt and rocks fall out. 

IMG_0720.jpeg

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 hours ago, KingSnake said:

I have a pencil basket from office max that I mounted to a handle. Drilled extra holes in the bottom. A few shakes and most of the dirt and rocks fall out. 

IMG_0720.jpeg

Same, except screwed to an old cane.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Does anyone have any solutions that at least LOOK like they're from the 1880's?

 

I have an old ore sifting pan that I use to hold the cases, but my pick-up-stick is just a modern thing - way too modern looking.   But I ain't gonna bend over, I'm not built for that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For those that have youngsters picking up brass. Be sure they are taking all the necessary precautions to prevent lead poisoning. 

 

Handling spent brass and then eating or drinking without washing your hands will significantly increase the levels of lead in your system.

Edited by Sedalia Dave
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

20 minutes ago, Rip Snorter said:

You might look into the scale of the original study that caused the furor.  Caution: the "science" may have been adjusted.

 

Everyone reacts differently to lead exposure. Some people's bodies do not adsorb it and other people adsorb it like a sponge. Most people fall in between. the two extremes. Children are especially susceptible to damage from lead exposure.

 

Several years ago a shooter here posted about his young child being sick. Skin lesions and other serious problems.  Took some sleuthing by the doctors but eventually they determined it was lead poisoning. 

 

After some detective work they traced it to picking up spent brass for other shooters. Primers contain lead styphnate which contaminates the outside of the brass via blowby. Was transferred to his hands and onto the snacks and water bottles he used.

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

22 minutes ago, Sedalia Dave said:

 

Everyone reacts differently to lead exposure. Some people's bodies do not adsorb it and other people adsorb it like a sponge. Most people fall in between. the two extremes. Children are especially susceptible to damage from lead exposure.

 

Several years ago a shooter here posted about his young child being sick. Skin lesions and other serious problems.  Took some sleuthing by the doctors but eventually they determined it was lead poisoning. 

 

After some detective work they traced it to picking up spent brass for other shooters. Primers contain lead styphnate which contaminates the outside of the brass via blowby. Was transferred to his hands and onto the snacks and water bottles he used.

 

 

Can recall chewing lead split shot as a boy while fishing.  No idea why, but never a bad lead test.  I also had a bottle of mercury I used to play with.  Washed my hands, no issues.  We played in mud, drank from hoses, rode bicycles with no thought of helmets, on and on, living life and we are still here.  Life is tough.  People raised to be tough beat the snot out of hothouse flowers.

  • Like 2
  • Thanks 2
  • Sad 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.