Condensation prevention on reloader

[reloader901]

No room for reloading room in house, so 650 is in garage (in Connecticut). Bought in August, so the problem I am going to describe has not occured to reloader yet but has been an issue for many items in garage over the past winters.

When very cold, followed by a blast of warmer humid air metal surfaces become covered in condensation. Over the years I have learned how to deal with it on tools etc in various ways.

I spoke to 3 Dillon reps last month they all had different answers (and they all live in Arizona):

1. Spray with Break-Free CLP. (don't use WD-40)

2. Spray with Ballistol. (don't use WD-40)

3. Spray with WD-40.

Anyone have any suggestions? I know about the 30 W engine oil on the main shaft.

Thanks

Edited October 3, 2012 by reloader901

[dillon]

We recommend using automotive paste wax on the steel surfaces as a moisture barrier. WD-40 is a water displacing product(thats what WD stands for)but not a lubricant. On moving parts don't use the paste wax, but on handle shafts, primer shields, shellplates, it is effective and inexpensive. If you use it on the interior of dies, remove it with spray solvent before resuming use. A customer in Florida told me about this years ago.

[Youngeyes]

With a gun safe you use a devise that warms the air to stop humidity. If you cover the press and plug in a goldenrod safe dehumidifier it should stop the condensation. The rod doesn't get hot enough to cause problems. Also store all dies ,powder measures and tool heads inside.

[Steve RA]

Put a combination air conditioner/heater in the garage window (or wall). Besides keeping the press pristine, you will also appreciate it.

[Old Vark WSO]

Retire and move to Nevada! Nothing rusts out here.

[reloader901]

Retire and move to Nevada! Nothing rusts out here.

Okay so you don't have humidity, but do you have drinking water?

Hmmmmmm..... You do have the Bunny Ranch. I wonder if Obama gets re-elected if frequenting a Nevada brothel will be subsidized. Put the personal "care" into medicare.

[Old Vark WSO]

Yep - water is expensive here, keeping the lawn green takes $$$. I feel your pain, that would be a lot of effort to coat your steel parts with paste wax to keep them from corroding. I have both my 550 and 1050 screwed into 3/4" oak boards which are clamped on my bench in the garage (awaiting the eventual building of the "man cave" reloading room/permanent set-up). Would be a PITA, but you might consider doing the same and keeping the press in the house, then moving it to the bench when you want to crank out some rounds during the cold months (in Connecticut that would be about October to June? )

Not speaking from personal experience, but the "ranches" seem to do well with no subsidies . I believe the owners are supporting the party in this election which favors small business and free enterprise.

[mcracco]

With a gun safe you use a devise that warms the air to stop humidity. If you cover the press and plug in a goldenrod safe dehumidifier it should stop the condensation. The rod doesn't get hot enough to cause problems. Also store all dies ,powder measures and tool heads inside.

I was thinking along the same lines. Build a small, removable enclosure and mount a Goldenrod heater inside. You could mock it up with cardboard and stick a temperature probe inside to convince yourself it is effective. The air temp will only rise a few degrees but that is enough to prevent condensation. In theory.

By storing dies, powder etc. inside I assume you mean inside the house not inside the heated enclosure.

[reloader901]

.....

I have both my 550 and 1050 screwed into 3/4" oak boards which are clamped on my bench in the garage (awaiting the eventual building of the "man cave" reloading room/permanent set-up). Would be a PITA, but you might consider doing the same and keeping the press in the house, then moving it to the bench when you want to crank out some rounds during the cold months.....

Yeah, I think that is what I'm going to have to do. The waxing, spraying, lubricating, etc. is going to be more work than reloading.

I constructed my case feeder so it can be removed in about 15 seconds. The press itself will take about 5 minutes, but maybe I will modify the mount to make it a quick disconnect too. Reloading is something I only do every few weeks or months rather than every day.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions!