Case Feeder Fireball!

[Jonathan Taliani]

So I had an interesting/scary experience reloading yesterday. After spraying aerosol Hornady One Shot into a freezer bag and mixing in some brass, I poured the contents into my case feeder. About half way through the bag, I had a huge surprise. Out of nowhere a large fireball erupted from my case feeder. It wasn't any kind of pop or explosion, just a whoosh like setting hair spray on fire. There were not any live primers (nor have there ever been) in the case feeder. The only thing I can figure is that there was still aerosol in the bag and the brass clinking caused a spark (either hitting each other or the metal screws leading to the clutch) and ignition occurred.

Thankfully, other than scorched arm hair and a toasted bag, there was no damage or injuries. I'll be going back to my normal method of dumping the brass into a box lid to dry before adding to the case feeder. Hope this helps others avoid a scare. I'd be interested if anyone else has ever had such an experience or has an alternative theory.

Edited April 15, 2012 by Jonathan Taliani

[superdude]

aliens!?

would not have thought that a spark would be possible from supposed non-sparking metal. but that's the only thing that i could come up with. glad you're okay.

[Jonathan Taliani]

aliens!?

would not have thought that a spark would be possible from supposed non-sparking metal. but that's the only thing that i could come up with. glad you're okay.

Agreed. The only other thing I can think of is possibly static electricity, but it was relatively humid yesterday.

[caspian guy]

Was the casefeeder running?

[Jonathan Taliani]

Was the casefeeder running?

No. It was plugged in but off.

[Will_M]

You might want to check the wiring on your casefeeder, then.

That's far from normal.

[jmorris]

I want to see the video. I can tell you that you can get a spark from a plastic bag and static, if your lucky its only a ziploc with one shot in it. If your not lucky it's a 55gal trash bag full of Oxy/Act.

[Csiedmond1]

I want to see the video. I can tell you that you can get a spark from a plastic bag and static, if your lucky its only a ziploc with one shot in it. If your not lucky it's a 55gal trash bag full of Oxy/Act.

Just a small balloon filled with oxy/acetylene and a piece if toilet paper for a fuse, makes one hell of a boom, and rattles the rafters in a fab shop!!! Scares the hell outta some people and makes some confetti!!!

Glad you are ok!!!

Edited April 17, 2012 by Csiedmond1

[Jonathan Taliani]

Thankfully it was no where near that magnitude, but still enough of a surprise to get the blood flowing.

[noylj]

This is why you should always allow the aerosol to "flash off" for a minute or two. In many cases, the solvent is flammable and in almost all cases (thanks, Greenies) the propellant is VERY flammable--often butane.