Save those old ugly powder bottles and reservoirs

[BoydAllen]

As much as I like shiny and new, if given a choice between a new powder bottle or reservoir, and one that is very dark and discolored, I will always choose the ugly one, because the ugly has a significant effect on static charge. Today I pulled out Wally Siebert's old Saeco, that has had its reservoir replaced with shiny plexiglass. I had been doing some work with another one that is on the original stand, and I wanted to verify that the more portable setup would work as well. It didn't, and I noticed that granules stuck to the inside of the reservoir, a sure indicator of a strong static charge. Luckily I have an old Lyman 55 with its original, well used, mucho ugly reservoir, that will also fit on my Saecos and Hollywoods. I put the ugly one on the Saeco and there were no more sticking powder grains, and the consistency of charge weights improved. I have seen the same for powder bottles on my Harrell. I guess that I am going to have to mix up a bowl of fabric softener and water 50-50, dip the shiny plastic, and let it air dry without wiping. Does anyone have any other approaches? I suppose that I could also give it a good rubdown with a used dryer sheet.

 

[Bc'z]

Waterborne cleaner, knocks the static out of plastics and fiberglass.
Windex or spray away glass cleaner should work in a pinch.

 

[memilanuk]

Wrap the dryer sheet around the bottle with a rubber band. Replace occasionally as needed (or when the rubber band rots off).

 

[jimmymac]

I use Static Guard spray for these situations.

 

[avidflyer]

Never used a used dryer sheet? I just lightly rub down the inside with a new dryer sheet and usually good to go. Till I get a nice build up on the inside, I store it with the sheet in it. Worked well the last 20 years

 

[ridgeway]

Spray with denatured alcohol.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Run 8lbs of powder thru it while watching tv

 

[SmokinJoe]

Boyd, I have had pretty good luck with new powder bottles by putting some powdered graphite in and shake, shake, shake to coat the bottle with some graphite, but it is a bit messy. Works well breaking in a new thrower also.

 

[Brians356]

I don't know how much handling a powder thrower can induce static, but I've virtually eliminated static buildup on my balance beam scale by kicking my shoes off while seated at my bench. With bare or even stocking feet touching the floor, static is constantly dissipated to ground. My loading room floor is concrete covered by carpet, so that undoubtedly helps, a wooden floor might not be as good. Even with socks on, feet are moist enough to ground out. It's shoes with rubber soles that are problematic. With shoes on, after a few minutes handling my scale I can levitate the beam up and down by merely hovering a fingertip close to the pan. That was a startling discovery. I had tried wiping stuff down with Bounce sheets but never noticed any effect.
-

 

[David101]

Put as much graphite in it that you have shake it around for a bit then run some powder through it. that should have fixed it.