Are shop vacs safe to use to clean the loading room? What about a computer? I have been using both without problems. But I've been told they could ignite powder. What are you doing? How do you store bulk primers, the manufacturers say not to store the in bulk.
Shop vacs and computers in the loading room
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OP
Are shop vacs safe to use to clean the loading room? What about a computer? I have been using both without problems. But I've been told they could ignite powder. What are you doing? How do you store bulk primers, the manufacturers say not to store the in bulk.
I've been using a shop vac to pick up all the powder, spent primers, cases, bullets, anything that falls on the floor with no problems for at least 10 years.
Powder will not ignite. Just remember to empty the vac every once in a while.
Patches are bad because they will clog the tube.
Powder will not ignite. Just remember to empty the vac every once in a while.
Patches are bad because they will clog the tube.
Sir, running electronics (computer, modem, router, etc.) will screw with magnetically dampened beam scales if they're close together. If the electronics are turned off, they don't bother the scale, but I still prefer to use the scale several feet away from any electronics.
Some vacuum cleaners draw debris over or through the electric motor, which can be problematic if you're sucking up combustible things. (Think "sparks.") I've seen videos of vacuums blowing up from sucking up gasoline. The vacuums in the videos were floor-sweeper types rather than shop-vacs, though, and I understand that most shop-vacs do not draw the debris over the motor. I haven't personally tested this theory, but I still prefer a broom and dustpan.
The main thing with primers is not to put them in an airtight container such as a GI ammo can. I understand that an ammo can full of primers is basically a bomb if it gets hot enough, as in a house fire. I haven't tested this theory, either, but I keep my primers in a wooden cabinet with loose doors.
Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.
Ron H.
Some vacuum cleaners draw debris over or through the electric motor, which can be problematic if you're sucking up combustible things. (Think "sparks.") I've seen videos of vacuums blowing up from sucking up gasoline. The vacuums in the videos were floor-sweeper types rather than shop-vacs, though, and I understand that most shop-vacs do not draw the debris over the motor. I haven't personally tested this theory, but I still prefer a broom and dustpan.
The main thing with primers is not to put them in an airtight container such as a GI ammo can. I understand that an ammo can full of primers is basically a bomb if it gets hot enough, as in a house fire. I haven't tested this theory, either, but I keep my primers in a wooden cabinet with loose doors.
Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.
Ron H.
tomf52
Member
Never in my 62 years have I encountered a vacuum where unfiltered debris was drawn through the electric motor. Name a brand for this if you would.
Wheelgunner840
Member
"What was that big noise downstairs honey?"
" Nothing to worry about. I just sucked up some powder with the dustbuster and blew my arm off when it exploded."
"Oh, that's nice. Dinner will be ready in five minutes!"
"Be right up, soon as I find my elbow and wrist!"
I don't see any reason to test the theory. Broom, dustpan and brush have worked just fine over the years.
WG840
" Nothing to worry about. I just sucked up some powder with the dustbuster and blew my arm off when it exploded."
"Oh, that's nice. Dinner will be ready in five minutes!"
"Be right up, soon as I find my elbow and wrist!"
I don't see any reason to test the theory. Broom, dustpan and brush have worked just fine over the years.
WG840
venomballistics
Member
I wouldnt worry too much about a PC in the loading room provided your not screwing your dies into your CPU heat sink or using the CD drive as a powder measure ... give em a little space.
the shop vac may cause ignition if used to clean up powder. unless you have sucked up a pound or so its more likely to make it kinda hard to see for a few minutes till the smoke clears.
If black powder is in use get sparky outta that room
the shop vac may cause ignition if used to clean up powder. unless you have sucked up a pound or so its more likely to make it kinda hard to see for a few minutes till the smoke clears.
If black powder is in use get sparky outta that room
pinkymingeo
Member
The sawdust I pick up in my vac is probably more flammable than the powder I also pick up. Dust explosions will get your attention, but are kinda rare in modern vacs.
OP
My table saw vac has ground wires on the air filter and motor housing, in addition to the ground on the cord. I've sucked up a couple of live primers in the loading room that I thought might go off.
Sir, a vacuum cleaner salesman told me that, and up until now, I've never had reason to question it. Of course, the guy *was* trying to sell me a high-dollar vacuum .... [slapping forehead]
Still, I'll stick with the broom and dustpan. No sparks or possibility of sparks there.
Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.
Ron H.
Sgt Preston
Member
Sgt Preston here. I load in a "clean room" in my condo. The walls are finished & painted & the floor is finished vinyl. Sweeping the floor with a broom, dustpan & brush might be ok for big messes. However I'm clean & careful & most of what I need to clean up is mainly repriming mess & some occassional powder "leaks" that sometimes occur when a round "sneaks" thru the press without a primer. To deal with these small messes, I have a 1 gallon "shop vac" & a set of very small nozzles (1/4" diameter) that I use to tidy up from time to time. Whenever I drop a live primer on the floor, I stop reloading until I can find it & retrieve it. My shop vac typically only runs for 3-5 seconds at a time & I keep it emptied out. Sgt Preston USMC LLA
Bassamatic
US Veteran
I use my mini computer vac to clean up the reloading bench. Small and can get into anyplace without sucking up something important.
Geez...you'd thought I could come with something a little more intelligent for my 3000th post.
Geez...you'd thought I could come with something a little more intelligent for my 3000th post.
VAdoublegunner
Member
I use a little 2.5 wet/dry Shop Vac in my room for general cleanup. It has good filters and I'm not worried about an ignition with modern smokeless powders, they are kinda hard to set off anyway. In case of a "DOH~!" major spill though, I sweep it up.
However, if it was *Blackpowder*, I'd use every precaution possible to guard against sparks!!
However, if it was *Blackpowder*, I'd use every precaution possible to guard against sparks!!
Ignatz
Member
I was told when I first started reloading to never vacuum up black powder. I'm not a black powder reloader, just passing it on. A friend of mine was using a dremel near his reloader that had a full tube of live primers........I would not wish it on anyone...long recovery.
The problem with all vacuum cleaners are they create static that can and will spark.
Look at any dust collector systems, they either have metal pipes, or if they use plastic pipes there's
a ground wire running through the pipe to stop static electricity.
It's the static spark that'll get you into trouble.
Look at any dust collector systems, they either have metal pipes, or if they use plastic pipes there's
a ground wire running through the pipe to stop static electricity.
It's the static spark that'll get you into trouble.
DELTAJOHN
Member
I use a dust buster on my bench to clean powder spills on the shell plate and press and a shop vac for the floor, no ill effects with either, I pick through the contents and salvage live primers too!
