powder spill; cleanup?

[ThatFishGuy]

Hey everyone,
so my dies came in today, so i got my whole setup up and running. i had manuals and instructions strewn about me, boxes cluttered left and right... but all in all it was a pleasant and relatively smooth experience. the only times i messed anything up was when i hurried though the process a little too much for my noobi-ness. my only problems consisted of not noticing that 2 primers didnt seat (fixed by bullet puller), and the other is what im asking about now. I was changing the discs on my powder measure and just lost focus. I yanked hard to try to loosen a screw and slipped or something....whatever happened powder went flying over the work station and carpet. so i was wondering, can i just vacuum it up? i mean the work area is easy enough to clean, but im not sure how stable (or unstable) powder is. i didnt want to damage anything or put anyone in danger, so i figured I'd ask you. my books only give advice for cleaning surfaces.
thanks,
Sam

[anyracoon]

I just use the shop vac. It might get exciting if you vac up a couple of live primers at the same time, but I really doubt that would happen. At least it has not happened to me!

[fallfornoone]

light the ground on fire and it will all go away

[double_action]

light the ground on fire and it will all go away

This is the worst advice I've heard on Calguns in a while.

You can't just "light the ground on fire". Pour some gasoline on the floor first. Then light that.

[Nodda Duma]

I reload out in the garage and just sweep it up and chuck it in the trash. I've never had luck using a broom on carpet. You might want to try a vacuum cleaner.

If it's a larger amount of powder, I take it outside and light it off.

-Jason

[Bug Splat]

This is the worst advice I've heard on Calguns in a while.

You can't just "light the ground on fire". Pour some gasoline on the floor first. Then light that.

HAHAHA best thing I have read this week.

I just use a vac if its a small amount. Large amounts, I scoop up as much as I can and dump in the toilet, then I vac up the rest.

[fallfornoone]

ah man
burn
of course you need a fuel, i was refering the the powder as fuel.

[double_action]

The gasoline will make sure you get EVERYTHING.

[RobG]

This is the worst advice I've heard on Calguns in a while.

You can't just "light the ground on fire". Pour some gasoline on the floor first. Then light that.

Now thats funny right there

[bohoki]

how bout just a propane torch?

i swear gasoline? where is the "nuke it from orbit" guy

just vacuum it up its not little globules of crystalized nitroglycerine

[ThatFishGuy]

hahah nice responses guys. not going to lie....lighting it ablaze definitely crossed my mind. But that whole carpet thing ruined my plans. Its not very much. maybe 1/8 - 1/4 cup. I picked up as much as i could, so i guess the vacuum will have to come out of the closet. thanks,
-Sam

[Ugly Dwarf]

This is the worst advice I've heard on Calguns in a while.

You can't just "light the ground on fire". Pour some gasoline on the floor first. Then light that.

Thanks a lot. You nearly had me spit Coke Zero through my nose onto my computer.

[EOD3]

A vacuum is NOT a good idea. If you have a spill on carpet, and must use a vacuum, give it a good spritz with an anti-static spray first. The static electricity and the electric motor have the potential of igniting the powder. A small amount of gunpowder suspended in the air and ignited will impress the bejesus out of you.

[f4tweet]

I was told in a NRA reloading class, not to vacuum. My .02

[sammy]

I was told NEVER to vacuum up powder. The electric motor has a very good chance igniting the powder. If you must, get a wet dry vacuum and spray down the area very well first. Wet powder is much safer to vacuum than dry.