Priming tools and practices

[degmon]

Primer Contamination

Back in another life, several of us (my cohorts and me) were making stainless steel belt buckles with cartridge heads placed in them, and we tired of seeing our artistic endeavors spoiled with spent primers looking from our midsections. Thus, the search to deactivate the primers and make pristine looking buckles. I tried oil, WD-40, kerosine, grease of all types (soaking times were daaaays). Still, while buffing tool marks from the buckles, an occasional suprise would occur. Ergo, I'm subscribing to the theory that primer contamination to the point of failure is pretty darned difficult. Still, I wash my hands, just like before I eat, prior to handling the pesky little things. I try not to touch them with my fingers, but if I do, oh well, what the hell. The "no touch" thing was learned 45 years ago, and is ingrained just like "put on clean underwear before your go out"


Just my experience....your mileage may differ.

(For BR type work I use a K&M and large tweezers.....not sure if we have hemostats in Texas yet)

Dennis

 

[LASER]

So that's what a

Hemostat is a surgical tool I have accumulated several sets through the years and none were ever used for illegal purposes to my knowledge.

hemostat is. Looks just like a roach clip!!!!!!

I have personally spoken with two individuals who had Lee primer tools ignite primers but the ones in the tray did not detonate. One of the guys still uses one with Federals ignoring the warning Lee isues. He musta used the "hemostat" earlier in life. I also have a pile of busted Lee's . Wonder why we don't throw those things out?. I think highly of Ken Markle and use his primer tool. In fact I have his entire catalog. "Precision is as precision does" to para-phrase Forest Gump. I have killed primers with Kroil. Just put in a drop and wait two days. 2:20 am No wonder I'm punchy.
Good Night
LASER

 

[Pete Wass]

I think the deal on killing primers

Is TIME. For those who load at the range I don't think oil or any other substance would be a problem. The priming mixture needs time to absorb the liquid. We report, you decide.

 

[GS Arizona]

Pete, well stated, time is an important factor. What many also don't fully grasp is that a primer is not a digital switch, meaning it isn't either "good" or "bad" there is a full "analog" gradient of primer performance as it deteriorates whether from contamination or environment. Proper ignition (and thus the presure curve) depends on incredibly consistent performance from the primer. "It went bang" is not a useful measure of the primer's performance.
I pick them up with my fingers too, by the way, but with clean hands and I avoid sticking my finger over the anvil area as much as possible.

German Salazar