Will running a ground wire from electrical box ground to your progressive press solve the problem of powder sticking to sides of steel drop tubes due to static electricity? I just changed to a funnel die to load powder charges from autotrickler instead of powder throw and am noticing quite a lot of ball powder sticking in the drop tubes because of static. Cleaned and wiped the drop tubes with dryer sheet and still have powder sticking. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
Grounding a Progressive press to reduce static cling of powder to steel drop tubes
- Thread starter Kellyvanb
- Start date
I have anti static generators if you have access to an air source.
Edit.
Did a quick search, this should work
https://www.amazon.ca/Electrostatic-Anti-Static-Electricity-Elimination-Eliminator/dp/B07KK2RXD3
Edit.
Did a quick search, this should work
https://www.amazon.ca/Electrostatic-Anti-Static-Electricity-Elimination-Eliminator/dp/B07KK2RXD3
Grounding the press didn't really work that well for me but YMMV. I've also tried dryer sheets with various levels of success. Loading in the winter, when the furnace is running 24/7, is a pain in the ass because of how dry the air becomes. I agree with beltfed, adding humidity is the best solution.
RadioRobert
New member
- Location
- Western Canada
A ground wire usually helps with static on metal parts - but I've never used a press to know if this would work.
You might want to add a 1Meg or higher resistor in series with the ground wire to the press, to eliminate any static sparks.
Because the press is now grounded, touching it when you or someone walks across the room, might cause a static spark because, it is grounded and it is a direct path to ground. Same if you sit in a chair that is plastic or has certain fabrics, they will generate static if you move around, stand-up/sit-down, then touch the press.
The 1Meg resistor will limit the current flow so that it dissipates the static slower and reduce the chance for a spark. The static voltage on the press will still dissipate, and the press will still remain at ground.
You might want to add a 1Meg or higher resistor in series with the ground wire to the press, to eliminate any static sparks.
Because the press is now grounded, touching it when you or someone walks across the room, might cause a static spark because, it is grounded and it is a direct path to ground. Same if you sit in a chair that is plastic or has certain fabrics, they will generate static if you move around, stand-up/sit-down, then touch the press.
The 1Meg resistor will limit the current flow so that it dissipates the static slower and reduce the chance for a spark. The static voltage on the press will still dissipate, and the press will still remain at ground.
Last edited:
- Location
- Western Manitoba
Many moons ago - so some details now a bit fuzzy, but local wood worker guy had decent dust collector system - but lots of static build-up within the plastic pipes as the wood dust went past - we ran a #6 (?) #8 (?) bare ground wire into each pipe length - if I remember, it was simply attached to the grounded fan at one end - that seemed to eliminate the static that he was getting - was summertime that we were there - so even with "damp" summer air, that static was occurring.
I built a LP record cleaning brush that plugged into the ground prong on an electrical outlet. As it cleaned the dust off the record it also neutralized the static. Grounding your press would be the same principle, but you may find that because there's no real conductivity between the plastic hopper and the painted steel press that the static isn't neutralized the way you hope.
For my hopper i just rub it with a used dryer sheet once in a while. Works great. You can also get anti-static spray in the laundry section of the grocery store or dollar store. Also works great. Why reinvent the wheel when there are simpler solutions. That's my 2 cents anyway.
