Gun powder sticking to balance beam pan

bodhisafa

Sergeant
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Minuteman
Jul 24, 2013
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I have an old bonanza beam scale. Recently started noticing the powder sticking to the pan and I am not able to get all the measures powder out without a mess or hassle. Anyone have any suggestions how to get the powder from sticking to the pan?
 
Agree with N.Parish, the anti-stat on the dryer sheets works.

If you are working where the humidity is very low, static build-up will be a problem. You can try and run your humidity up with one of those ultrasonic humidifiers, or even work with your scale and equipment on a static pad.
 
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Yepper, Dryer sheets, used, one each. Geezus, sounds like military requisition. :ROFLMAO: Seriously, used dryer sheets for wiping down your pan and powder thrower is like a ChargeMaster or the like.
 
Plastic itself can generate static, not an issue on a beam scale weighing wise. If cleaning it like spife suggested does not work, pm me, I'll send you an old chargemaster aluminum pan, I have a few. I assume it is alum.
 
Clean your parts throughly. Then wipe some graphite or molybdenum to coat the inside of the pan. If you don’t have any, sand a pencil tip with some 600 grit paper to make some. Works good on the plastic funnels too.
 
The plastic preferred for designs that will be static sensitive are supposed to be carbon doped to conduct and bleed off static charges. If your scale pan is not responding to dryer sheets, dump it and get a replacement that conducts.

BTW, the substitution of MoS2 for Graphite doesn’t always work the same based on context. While both can be dry lubricants, they are at opposite extremes when it comes to dry versus humid conditions. In a dry environment, graphite will become abrasive while MoS2 will work at its best, and vice versa. Also, MoS2 will oxidize and become acidic in a humid environment so be careful where you use each. If you know there will be bone dry conditions, use MoS2. If you know there will be humid air, use graphite. If you are trying to keep a conductive layer, use graphite not MoS2.
 
So a forum member was kind and gave me a spare metal pan, however when I replaced the old plastic pan with the new metal pan it weighs Down the beam too far and I cannot re zero the scale ?
 
Sometimes you can wash the offending part in a heavy soap solution and let it dry without rinsing the soap off. If that fails, can you remove any metal from your replacement pan? Like slimming down the part that you pick it up with?
 
If it makes things easier, you can take a little piece of modeling clay and stick it on the opposite end of the beam where it doesn’t interfere with the movement. Trim that up till you can run the normal adjustment range.