Static Electricity -Grounding a Press

[G-Man WC]

I'm curious as to how many reloaders have ever had a mishap or KaBoom while reloading that was caused by static electricity. I'm thinking of grounding my presses when I get around to bolting them to the bench and was wondering if you think this a necessary or a wise step to take?
Thanks -g

[XDRoX]

One of the forum members, Grant, had a mishap a couple months ago. A tube of primers detonated and he had a pretty bad accident. The cause is still unknown but one of the only logical explanations is static electricity. He has since grounded his press as well as a bunch of a lot of other forum members.

One the flip side, many guys have spent countless hours trying to get a primer or powder to ignite with static electricity without accomplishing it. Even the black powder experiments I've read about have come back negative.

Not to say that it's not possible, but personally I think you have other things to worry about more. Like being struck by lighting. Of course Grant feels differently as I probably would as well if what happened to him happened to me.

So for me, no, I haven't grounded my press and probably won't. I do wear eye protection and am careful though. But if you want to ground your press there certainly isn't any harm in it.

[Bill Steele]

My press is not grounded as well, but I live about 100 yards from the Pacific Ocean. My relative humidity is always up there so static electricity is pretty far down my worry list.

Now if you asked about tsunami's...

[thepunisher]

I can barely get powder to light with a open flame. I have dropped a primer or two on the
ground and nothing. I have not ever heard of static causing things to go kaboom.

What would be the best way to ground a reloader?

[grant22]

The story XDRox is referring to is in my sig line. Agreed, far fetched, but possible.

Today the RH was 33% and there was an arc when my wrench contacted a die I was adjusting (not grounded this moment). The day of my Kaboom, the RH was 10% at the lowest.

[theduece]

Grant good to see you stayed with reloading. How did your primer explosion containment device work out? Sorry for the highjack.

Now back on topic. IMHO if you have an electric casefeeder your press is/should be grounded through that.

[freonr22]

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=233473&highlight=Ground

Nice read

[thepunisher]

The story XDRox is referring to is in my sig line. Agreed, far fetched, but possible.

Today the RH was 33% and there was an arc when my wrench contacted a die I was adjusting (not grounded this moment). The day of my Kaboom, the RH was 10% at the lowest.

Grant-I'm glad you were not more seriously hurt. I read your story with my wife and I was in trouble for not taking more precautions. Looks like I'm getting a face shield, kevlar gloves and will be wearing long sleeves from now on.

[meaty-btz]

What is interesting is that it is totally possible to get enough charge to detonate the primer dust, but not often.

Up here in the North State it has been both windy and cold. The static levels have been rising day by day. Today I had managed to build up a static field so strong it was detectable at 4+ ft from me. Unfortunately that entire charge exited a most tender area when a stream met grounded puddle... felt like getting hit by a tazer. A charge that large would light off a primer.

So I would say the whole static thing is real but requires very specific conditions to occur. Grounding makes sense in an environment with a build up of powder dust and primer dust as one would likely find in a progressive press.

[erik_26]

Grant-I'm glad you were not more seriously hurt. I read your story with my wife and I was in trouble for not taking more precautions. Looks like I'm getting a face shield, kevlar gloves and will be wearing long sleeves from now on.

Face shield may not be a bad idea. Same with the long sleeved shirt.

Kevlar gloves? Maybe a bit much, idk.

[G-Man WC]

Now back on topic. IMHO if you have an electric casefeeder your press is/should be grounded through that.

True, I do have a casefeeder for my Blue 650.
For the past two weeks,I've been a static discharging machine.
I touch anything and I get shocked. -g

[thepunisher]

Face shield may not be a bad idea. Same with the long sleeved shirt.

Kevlar gloves? Maybe a bit much, idk.

lol maybe a little much but I think the other gear would be ideal

[Kerplow]

I think it would be a better idea to ground yourself. Seems like a person moving about would generate a lot more static than a progressive press in operation. If the press is grounded and you have a nice fat charge floating around you with nowhere to go it's going to discharge on the press.

[puRe59]

Perhaps one other thing you could do is invest in a cheap humidity thermometer?
Making sure you don't load in low humidity.