Question Re: Reloading in a Carpeted room

[bandook]

I'm considering setting up for reloading indoors.
What precautions should I take while setting up a press in a Carpeted room?

How does one take care of Static, dropped primers and the inevitable powder spills?

Thanks

[Archon_g24]

Spilling powder is a very common occurrence but my primary concern with a carpeted loading room would be static electricity.

You can use antistatic mats but reloading can be messy. Dry or wet tumbling results in spilled media. Decapping sends primer dust all over and sometimes the anvils separate from the cups and they end up all over too.

One thing i considered is setting up a single stage press in my house to use as a charging/seating station. Weighing each charge takes a long time and is the cleanest of all the processes although powder still gets spilled.

[Divernhunter]

Simple----- Vacuum cleaner.
Been doing so for many, many years.
No problems.

Do not over think it.

[hermosabeach]

Home Depot has linoleum

They sell the tails for cheap.

They might have 4’ or 8’ on a 12’ wide roll.

They normally have it priced st least 1/2 off or $.50-$.75/ ft

They will haggle- simply say I only need a little for a 1/2 bath floor 3’x2’

Most of the time they will mark it down to a few bucks just to get rid of it


Roll it up and take it home.


You can roll out a section for your reloading station. Roll it up when done.


Just an idea

[Cokebottle]

Tile it

[stevec223]

I used the office type carpet protectors in front and slightly under the front of my bench.. Caught most of the spills from the bench... Office depot or Costco business ,,, can't remember which... Keeps the bench stool from ruining your carpet too... Cheers....

[freonr22]

ground wire????????????

[bandook]

Thanks all. The roll of linoleum followed by the vacuum will probably work.
I just didn't want to start off any fireworks in the vacuum cleaner.

[JackEllis]

I just didn't want to start off any fireworks in the vacuum cleaner.

I have vacuumed up very small amounts of powder with no problem but I try to use a brush and dustpan.

Carpet or not, I'm more worried about lead contamination from spent primers than anything else. I do my reloading in a separate room with a concrete floor and there are spent primers and anvils, plus some dust to deal with. Vacuum often and maybe buy or build a deep tray to catch stray spent primers off the press.

[LynnJr]

The only problem with carpet is primers will burn it if your vacuum has a beater brush on it. If you have a shop vac you are good to go. My ex-wife ran over a couple dropped primers in some shag carpet and I got that insane phone call at work you never want to get.
And if your using graphite on your cases and spill it forget about it ever coming out.
Other than that your good to go. If that would be a concern just get a carpet sample to put down as a barrier.

[divingin]

Make sure to empty your vacuum often if you vacuum powder spills. Most household units do not have sealed brushes, and may generate some internal sparking. Explosion proof vacuums are available but are really, really pricey (and usually not very small.)

That said, I've never had a problem doing so (and currently try not to.)

[lakersfan]

3/4” 4’x2’ sheet of MDF against my bench under my chair to keep me off the carpet. Move out of the way when not reloading. I use a primer feeder so don’t touch the primers at all. Wet/dry vac for cleanup

[BigBronco]

Get a thick painters canvas tarp and lay it out. Easy to shake off outside and pack away.

[rg1]

You will eventually spill powder maybe a case full or a larger amount. You will definitely drop a primer or a bunch of primers onto your carpet. You can vacuum powder then empty your vacuum cleaner bag immediately. Primers will and do bounce and roll. I've been on my knees searching for and counting primers I've dropped on carpet. If you scratch hard covering the carpet area you can feel the primer or it will pop up out of the carpet. Worst thing for me and others is the spent primers either falling out or the catch container etc. or you will drop several spent primers plus primer pocket debris. They are a pain in carpet. You can vacuum spent primers. Even if you have a concrete, tile, or computer chair pad or vinyl floor primers will bounce and roll everywhere. I attempt to find every live primer I drop. I've had no issues with static loading on carpet.

[ironhorse1]

FWIW there was a vacuum explosion at a local range several years ago. Cleaning up powder and primer residue through a vacuum motor which is creating sparks can be a problem for large spills.

Recommend sweeping a hard surface or wet vacuuming for large spills.

Besides vinyl there is a lot of sheet stock 4'X8' tempered masonite, and white hardboard that can be cut to place under your work area If a small edge is added primers won't roll off into the carpet.

Good advice given about live primers and vacuums. The beater bars make short work of live primers.

irh