BigDave Posted March 9, 2004 Share Posted March 9, 2004 I picked up a couple of cans of compressed air, the kind that you use around computers for dusting and such, to use on my laptops and stereo equipment. Well, one of the cans found its way into my press room. Unfortunately, the shellplate on my 650 becomes quite dirty with media, brass shavings and spilled powder, which left unchecked, can literally be the wrench in the gears of a good loading session. I don't think it is any secret around here that the more consistent your press runs, the more consistent and high-quality ammo that is produced. Anyway, with the little red straw they give you with the cans, I gently blow the residue off the shellplate area and the casefeed ramp about every 75-100 rounds. The best is to do this when the ram is fully raised. I find this protects the uncovered powder in station 3 (at least on my press) from accidentally getting blow all over the place if I get wreckless. Keeps my press nice and clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dunn Posted March 9, 2004 Share Posted March 9, 2004 IIRC the maintenance kit for my 550B came with a can of compressed air or whatever. Otherwise I would never have thought of it. Great tip for those who didn't spring for the kit, it works well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Posted March 9, 2004 Share Posted March 9, 2004 I have been using canned air as a reloading tool for years now. I do it with the shell plate down and just put a weakhand finger in the top of the powder filled case to keep it from blowing away and then shoot stronghand only with the can of Dust-Off. If you use Varget on a progressive you probably already know this trick -- Regards, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gun Geek Posted March 9, 2004 Share Posted March 9, 2004 When I set up my bench, I ran an extra air line from my compressor. Fantastic way to keep stuff clean. Just a flexible hose and a little plumbing at the compressor to handle the additional connection. I put a cheap in-line Home Depot regulator close to my bench so I can dial up the right pressure 120psi for blasting, downt ot about 10psi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiG Lady Posted March 9, 2004 Share Posted March 9, 2004 I've been using canned air since I installed the press. I just figured it was a decent idea... no one ever mentioned that I should do it. Nice to know others felt the same way. I blow off the shellplate area every 50 rds or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
short_round Posted March 9, 2004 Share Posted March 9, 2004 [thread drift] Has anyone tried to use those small vacuum's that they advertise for use on your computer keyboard and such? [/thread drift] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shred Posted March 9, 2004 Share Posted March 9, 2004 Vacuums have a bad habit of snorking up case locator pins and other things you don't want to go digging through the bag for later. Make sure the nozzle is small enough if you go that route. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin c Posted March 10, 2004 Share Posted March 10, 2004 Last time I used compressed air to clean under the shellplate I forgot to remove the detent ball bearing first. Launched that little sucker to limbo... I keep a small can in my range bag. Very handy for cleaning my holster and mag holders in dusty conditiions (the mags themselves get taken apart and cleaned w/ a silicon impregnated cloth if they literally hit the dust, and the gun, well, I'm still trying to get a cover that doesn't look too much like a tea cozy). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gun Geek Posted March 10, 2004 Share Posted March 10, 2004 Shorty: I sort of have an aversion to vacs of any kind around presses. There are too many nasties that a vac can set off - particularly primers. Beater bars can smash a primer with obvious danger. Also static can ignite a primer (tried it myself - posted somewere on this board) Geek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricW Posted March 10, 2004 Share Posted March 10, 2004 This'll sound stupid, but the best tool I've found for degunking my press is a bronze-bristled brush. I think I paid $2 for a Hoppes one at the discount store. I still use the aircompressor, but the brush is what cleans up the primer cup in a jiffy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warpspeed Posted March 13, 2004 Share Posted March 13, 2004 When I set up my bench, I ran an extra air line from my compressor. Fantastic way to keep stuff clean. Just a flexible hose and a little plumbing at the compressor to handle the additional connection.I put a cheap in-line Home Depot regulator close to my bench so I can dial up the right pressure 120psi for blasting, downt ot about 10psi. That is an excelent idea! Another project for this weekend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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