whats best method for picking up smokeless powder spilled on carpet ? after seeing a kid use a floor cleaning machine once to clean up a gasoline spill, I dont think a vacum cleaner would be a good idea, wet rag? thanks in advance for any replies
spilled powder on carpet
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Re: spilled powder on carpet
I've read about vacuum cleaners setting off powder before, but it seems it would have to be pretty thick for that to happen. I've always just used the vacuum and never had any problems. Of course, I scoop up any thick stuff first.
There are two main kinds of vacuums out there. One sends the air and debris through the bag before the air goes through the impeller. The other kind goes through the impeller first. A typical home vacuum is the first kind so the powder would never get neat the motor and possible sparks from the brushes.
I've read about vacuum cleaners setting off powder before, but it seems it would have to be pretty thick for that to happen. I've always just used the vacuum and never had any problems. Of course, I scoop up any thick stuff first.
There are two main kinds of vacuums out there. One sends the air and debris through the bag before the air goes through the impeller. The other kind goes through the impeller first. A typical home vacuum is the first kind so the powder would never get neat the motor and possible sparks from the brushes.
Re: spilled powder on carpet
I've used the shop vac on spilled powder for years. No issues at all. I think the idea of vacuum cleaners setting off powder is an old wives tale.
I've used the shop vac on spilled powder for years. No issues at all. I think the idea of vacuum cleaners setting off powder is an old wives tale.
Re: spilled powder on carpet
I've used a little hand vac -- you know, the black & decker, battery operated kind.
If there's a significant amount of powder, it's easy to empty the vac several times during the process. I've used it with black powder (not recommended, btw) and never had a problem.
As good as the hand vac has been, I'm spending over 1K$ to tile the floor in the reloading room. While I was able to vacuum up powder over the years, the graphite on the powder eventually darkened the carpet significantly. I suspect the sage advice is to avoid reloading in a carpeted room.
If nothing else, it is really hard to get primers out of the carpet with any method.
I've used a little hand vac -- you know, the black & decker, battery operated kind.
If there's a significant amount of powder, it's easy to empty the vac several times during the process. I've used it with black powder (not recommended, btw) and never had a problem.
As good as the hand vac has been, I'm spending over 1K$ to tile the floor in the reloading room. While I was able to vacuum up powder over the years, the graphite on the powder eventually darkened the carpet significantly. I suspect the sage advice is to avoid reloading in a carpeted room.
If nothing else, it is really hard to get primers out of the carpet with any method.
Re: spilled powder on carpet
Use a 1 gallon shop vac all the time. Sits on the bottom shelf of my bench. I use it for powder, spent primers that bounce, case trimings, the occasional spilled lead shot, and even black powder ( which did make me leary) I haven't blown myself up yet.......knock on wood.
Sounds like a good viewers suggestion for Myth Busters.
"Myth Busters" with exploding "dust busters".
Ya ya I know that was terrible I couldn't resist
Use a 1 gallon shop vac all the time. Sits on the bottom shelf of my bench. I use it for powder, spent primers that bounce, case trimings, the occasional spilled lead shot, and even black powder ( which did make me leary) I haven't blown myself up yet.......knock on wood.
Sounds like a good viewers suggestion for Myth Busters.
"Myth Busters" with exploding "dust busters".
Ya ya I know that was terrible I couldn't resist
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