Using an anti-static gun on your plastic powder dispenser

[nedro]

So when reloading, I get lots of static build-up on the plastic hopper of my Lee powder measure and it was interfering with precise powder measurements.

So I got a crazy notion to try my old anti-static gun that I use for vinyl LPs and it works great.

I was very cautious at first, thinking that it could possibly cause a spark, but all has been well.

I've even tried going overboard and firing at it ad nauseum. Still seems safe.

I suppose if something really bad happens, you guys probably won't be informed.

What's your opinion?

[sonofeugene]

Those do throw a spark. (I'm assuming it's a ZeroStat.). I'd be careful.

Why not ground the hopper?

[sonofeugene]

Sprinkle a little powder on a surface away from where you reload and try zapping it.

[baih777]

Try wiping it out with a dryer sheet.

[nedro]

I'm pretty sure I've grounded it properly with no effect, but will try again.
I'm trying to think how the spark could jump through the plastic?
I'm not denying it could happen, just wondering.

[nedro]

Originally Posted by baih777

Try wiping it out with a dryer sheet.

Haven't tried that yet.

[sonofeugene]

Probably wouldn't jump from one side to the other. But still, I'd be nervous about sparking near a funnel of powder.

Does the zapper make a difference? For instance, if you have some powder hanging onto the side of the funnel, does zapping it on the outside make it slide down?

Does someone make a PTFE lined funnel?

Another thing you could try would be to burnish some molybdenum or tungsten disulfide powered into the funnel walls. Rub it in really well. Then wipe out the excess with a clean rag and rubbing alcohol. 'Could make a difference. I'd try it on some other funnel first, though. Find one around the house where the powder will stick and then treat it and try again.

[nedro]

It's not the funnel, it's the powder drop/measure.
https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/80...SABEgJ7jvD_BwE
The anti-static gun works great. the particles do fall off the sides of the hopper. And powder weights normalize.

[tanks]

Or you can buy a replacement hopper from:

https://dramworx.com/lee/

[G-Man WC]

Originally Posted by baih777

Try wiping it out with a dryer sheet.

That's what I do. It works.
-g

[Cheep]

I leave an old dryer sheet in mine when I'm not using it...

[scotty99]

Originally Posted by tanks

Or you can buy a replacement hopper from:

https://dramworx.com/lee/

This is maybe the best upgrade I ever made to my reloading setup.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Fizz]

To make a short story long...

Even a jump out of your chair static charge is unlikely to ignite powder. Try to use a BBQ igniter on a small tray of powder. Drag fluffy on the carpet, stun gun, etc. Will not ignite.

I actually experimented to see what it would take to get a typical rifle/pistol powder to light with an arc. For reliable ignition, I had to use a flyback transformer and driver getting into 24000v+ to get powder to ignite with an arc. The most important element however was the arc duration. The arc needs to sustain for a few milliseconds where the HEAT of the AIR around the powder ignites the charge. Gunpowder doesn't conduct electricity and most of the heat in short duration static zaps causes the air to move... Throwing powder stick/flakes/etc. out of the way before ignition can occur.

[OpenSightsOnly]

Used dryer sheets or spray some Static Guard

[RestrictedColt]

A static spark can light black powder, but not smokeless. That's why BP dispensers are made differently.

I wouldn't wipe the inside of a measure or hopper with a dryer sheet, some of them have stuff on them that might stay in there and cause a problem. I wipe mine down (outside only) with a dryer sheet then tie it around the skinny part below the hopper just above the drum (Hornady unit, haven't paid attention to the shapes of others.

I had been reloading for months with no apparent problems 'till one day I just couldn't get a consistent drop. Then I noticed powder clinging to the hopper. The dryer sheet cured it and the problem hasn't returned. I've installed a new sheet maybe once a year at most and so far seems to be doing the trick. I've heard that grounding it will cure it for good, but being in an old house the outlets aren't grounded so it would take considerable effort to pull it off. In a house with grounded outlets it would be easy.

[Bobshouse]

I cut up and hang a dryer anti static sheet down the inside of my hopper.
Works great and at the range makes your rounds smell spring fresh!

[the_tunaman]

Originally Posted by Cheep

I leave an old dryer sheet in mine when I'm not using it...

Yep - me too. Learned that trick many years ago, and they work very well to cut the static.

[divingin]

Originally Posted by Fizz

Gunpowder doesn't conduct electricity and most of the heat in short duration static zaps causes the air to move... Throwing powder stick/flakes/etc. out of the way before ignition can occur.

I have heard that graphite is sometimes used as a post-manufacturing coating for ignition retardation (say a lot of powder tests a little faster than what the manufacturer specs for a certain powder type; it's given a graphite coating to slow the ignition properties to get it within spec.) [The original source of this was a forum post asking about color differences of lots of Varget - someone called Hodgdon and asked, and posted the response.)

Graphite conducts electricity quite well. In any case, the conduction itself isn't the problem (as conduction doesn't generate much heat), it's the higher resistance areas that will cause ignition.

[the86d]

I use dryer sheets in my plastic powder pan I test powder drops with too, as it tends to get charged statically.

I never though of leaving one in the hopper when not in use, BRILLIANT!!!

[DDRH]

an unused dryer sheet rubbed on the plastic hopper does wonders. it'll also smell like clean laundry when you shoot