Powder measure back to life

cdhknives

cdhknives

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Apr 12, 2013
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A simple project compared to a lot I see here, but it brought a favorite tool back to life so I have to share. This old reloading powder measure had a thin plastic reservoir. It was brittle and falling apart. It was converted by a friend years ago to be a small volume measure, and I still get good use from it for small batches of ammo. So I bought a piece of 12" plexiglass tubing and went to town.

Lessons learned, plexiglass is a PITA to grip in the chuck. I probably should have taken the time to turn a block for the ID so it could be clamped firmly. As it was when the cutoff was finishing it grabbed, torqued at the chuck, and shattered about 2" of one end at the chuck. plexiglass WILL shatter just fine no matter what the propaganda about it being shatterproof says.

It was slightly undersize, so I had to turn a spacer ring. Thin rings are also a PITA to chuck. Very light cuts and sharp HSS did the trick.

It all slips together, tight enough it doesn't fall out when held upside down, but will come apart with easy pressure.

All in all, I am pleased with the result...breathing more new life into an old tool. Yes I still use it...for precision loads I throw a half grain short and trickle up on the scale...and the small measure is perfect for my small volume cartridges...

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Very nice!

I don't know who told you plexi-glass (acrylic) doesn't shatter???... that has NEVER been my experience with plexi glass, I have shattered plenty when trying to cut it.

Who manufactured the powder measure?
 
I would have skipped the acrylic cylinder and made a bottle adapter.
 
I thought plexiglass produces a lot of static electricity - isn't that a problem when dealing with powder?
Looks very nice though :)


Wysłane z mojego SM-N950F przy użyciu Tapatalka
 
As far as the static problem, wipe down the outside of the tube with a anti static dryer sheet. Problem solved. Just be sure to not leave powder in the cylinder for extended periods of time, not only does it dry the powder out but can and will discolor the acrylic.
 
The powder measure is branded Redding. It was old when I got it 20 years ago, and is much smoother than my new-ish RCBS or Dillon.
 
Redding makes really good stuff!

I have been reloading for 30 years, I have never had an issue with static on my acrylic encased power measures. The idea that modern smokeless powder will go off from a little static spark is a myth. It takes quite a bit of energy to ignite smokeless powder.

The biggest problem from static would be a static charge causing a grain of powder to stick to the measure throwing off the charge slightly ruining accuracy. The rest of the measure is all metal so static charges don't really build up.
 
I'm not reloading so no real knowledge on my side. I just remember that every time I worked with plexiglass swarf had annoying tendency to cling to workpiece and scratch it...
A friend that reloads ammo for vintage hunting rifle once told me that modern powder is relatively safe but black powder is quite sensitive.

Wysłane z mojego SM-N950F przy użyciu Tapatalka
 
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