cleaning Dies

Nanaimo Barr · June 2, 2001, 06:41 PM

ok, silly question, we live in a hight dust enviornment, I'm a bit worried about dust getting into dies,brass, powder mesures etc etc.

advice on how to and what to use for cleaning dies and powder messure?

NB

Contender · June 2, 2001, 10:31 PM

NB,

For the dies, I'd use a solvent that evaporates like Brakleen and the like but you could use bore solvent also.

The measure is a bit trickier because some of these solvents can eat plastic and damage paint. I've washed my Uniflow in hot soapy water to kill static cling and set it to air dry. Just make sure the water is hot to warm the metal well to aid drying. And watch the plastic.

Having said that, first see if you can just wipe the measure off good without too much trouble with a good, clean, cotton rag. After that make yourself a dust cover for it. Keep your dies stored in their boxes when you can also.

Regards

Edward429451 · June 3, 2001, 12:07 PM

I use Simple Green for cleaning all my guns and dies and stuff. I got a little stainless parts pan thing and pour simple green in it and use a parts/paint brush on em at first, let em soak awhile, come back and tooth brush em and Q-tips, rinse under hot water, then another pan for the Break Free oil cure for awhile, then a clean cloth and more Q-tips for a mirror like cleanness! Hope this helps! Oh yea, a pillow case for a dust cover!

Nanaimo Barr · June 3, 2001, 05:07 PM

much thanks, does the powder messure require lube as well? (older hornaday, it's been thowing eratic weights of Unique the last couple of times..)

NB

Contender · June 3, 2001, 07:47 PM

NB,

Get some of the Graphite Lock Spray at the hardware store. It is usually graphite in an evaporating carrier. Pull the drum out of the measure, wipe the surfaces clean and spray the stuff on the drum surface that rides in the measure housing. Let it dry fully, then reinstall it in the housing. The graphite won't harm anything. DO NOT use any petroleum based lubes on the measure surfaces that come in contact with the powder.

You can also run a hopper full or two of a heavily graphited deterrent coated powder like unique, etc. through the measure a few times to coat the surfaces with excess graphite from the powder. Adjust the stem in the drum open to full cavity.

Regards

Nanaimo Barr · June 3, 2001, 08:18 PM

again, much thanks Contender, I never would have thought of using Lock Lube on my messure, you guys have been fantastic answering all these newby questions...

NB

June 2, 2001, 06:41 PM	#1
Nanaimo Barr Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Location: North Idaho Posts: 1,024	ok, silly question, we live in a hight dust enviornment, I'm a bit worried about dust getting into dies,brass, powder mesures etc etc. advice on how to and what to use for cleaning dies and powder messure? NB

June 2, 2001, 10:31 PM	#2
Contender Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 1998 Location: NY Posts: 680	NB, For the dies, I'd use a solvent that evaporates like Brakleen and the like but you could use bore solvent also. The measure is a bit trickier because some of these solvents can eat plastic and damage paint. I've washed my Uniflow in hot soapy water to kill static cling and set it to air dry. Just make sure the water is hot to warm the metal well to aid drying. And watch the plastic. Having said that, first see if you can just wipe the measure off good without too much trouble with a good, clean, cotton rag. After that make yourself a dust cover for it. Keep your dies stored in their boxes when you can also. Regards

June 3, 2001, 12:07 PM	#3
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	I use Simple Green for cleaning all my guns and dies and stuff. I got a little stainless parts pan thing and pour simple green in it and use a parts/paint brush on em at first, let em soak awhile, come back and tooth brush em and Q-tips, rinse under hot water, then another pan for the Break Free oil cure for awhile, then a clean cloth and more Q-tips for a mirror like cleanness! Hope this helps! Oh yea, a pillow case for a dust cover!

June 3, 2001, 05:07 PM	#4
Nanaimo Barr Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Location: North Idaho Posts: 1,024	much thanks, does the powder messure require lube as well? (older hornaday, it's been thowing eratic weights of Unique the last couple of times..) NB

June 3, 2001, 07:47 PM	#5
Contender Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 1998 Location: NY Posts: 680	NB, Get some of the Graphite Lock Spray at the hardware store. It is usually graphite in an evaporating carrier. Pull the drum out of the measure, wipe the surfaces clean and spray the stuff on the drum surface that rides in the measure housing. Let it dry fully, then reinstall it in the housing. The graphite won't harm anything. DO NOT use any petroleum based lubes on the measure surfaces that come in contact with the powder. You can also run a hopper full or two of a heavily graphited deterrent coated powder like unique, etc. through the measure a few times to coat the surfaces with excess graphite from the powder. Adjust the stem in the drum open to full cavity. Regards

June 3, 2001, 08:18 PM	#6
Nanaimo Barr Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Location: North Idaho Posts: 1,024	again, much thanks Contender, I never would have thought of using Lock Lube on my messure, you guys have been fantastic answering all these newby questions... NB