Range Box container for Ed's Red? Substitutes for Lanolin?

Flying Beaver

Flying Beaver

Regular
Rating - 100%
43   0   0
Location
Alberta Free State
Hi all,
This probably seems like something really obvious, but I've had no luck with it and so am throwing it out to the group for suggestions.

I mix up my batches of Ed's Red bore cleaner in ar one gallon approved gasoline container. I've had no problems with it being eaten up by the acetone, or leaking. (I used to use an empty one gallon metal Coleman fuel can - also worked fine).

However, I'm stumped about finding a small container to put in my range box that the Ed's Red won't eat up or leak through. Nothing seems to come in metal bottles with a screw-top any more, and a glass bottle, like a Snapple container, is not the best as 1) they get broken easily, and 2) the lid seals are all made of plastic, which the Ed's Red eats away in no time flat. My last glass container bit the dust (actually the concrete) a few weeks back.

Any suggestions for something that's fairly readily available and would fit in a range box? There's probably some obvious type of container I'm overlooking.

Many Thanks.
 
Last edited:
Two containers come to mind:

1) Glue/cement for PVC piping

2) Whisky (hip) flask
- I see these on Amazon.com for about $5
- ebay.ca, $3.00 incl. shipping out of Hong Kong (search on "New Stainless Steel Hip Flask liquor Alcohol Flask 6oz")
 
2) Whisky (hip) flask
- I see these on Amazon.com for about $5
- ebay.ca, $3.00 incl. shipping out of Hong Kong (search on "New Stainless Steel Hip Flask liquor Alcohol Flask 6oz")[/QUOTE]

If you use one of these.......Make VERY SURE it is marked properly and permanently. PLEASE!

The last thing we want to read about is someone take a swig (or more) of your "booze".
 
Chinese "stainless steel" flasks sweat ed's red

jer_vic said:
Two containers come to mind:

2) Whisky (hip) flask
- I see these on Amazon.com for about $5
- ebay.ca, $3.00 incl. shipping out of Hong Kong (search on "New Stainless Steel Hip Flask liquor Alcohol Flask 6oz")
Click to expand...

That was a really good idea. Didn't have to go far to find one, either.

Dollarama store, 5 oz. stainless steel flask, $2.00

2_flask_2.jpg


Got the last one they had. :D

***************************

UPDATE 09-18-2011:
THE CHINESE "STAINLESS STEEL" FLASKS LEAK THROUGH THE LETTERING STAMPED ON THE BOTTOM!!

SS_flask_Warning.jpg


After mixing up my fresh batch of Ed's Red, I filled the flask with 5 oz of Ed's Red and set it on the bench while I capped and put away the larger storage container.

When I lifted the flask up, I found a puddle of Ed's Red underneath. Thinking I must have spilled, I thoroughly wiped down
the flask and cleaned the bench surface. I then placed the flask on a sheet of plain white paper.

I lifted the flask 30 seconds later and could read (very fuzzy and runny but readable, & reversed) "Made In China. Stainless Steel 5 oz." on the white paper.

I repeated this experiment a couple more times, each time ensuring that the outside of the container was wiped absolutely clean of Ed's Red. Each time I found a pool of solvent underneath the flask when I lifted it.

I put the flask upright in a shallow, solvent proof dish and left it. Within 2 hours over half the contents had drained out, presumably through microscopic holes in the stamped letters, since I had closely inspected the flask with a large magnifier and found no pores or open welds.

A warning to those of you who might plan on trying one of these flasks for solvent.

**********************



As OldStarfire said, it'll have to be permanently and prominently marked as containing cleaning solvent, not booze.

Still on the subject of Ed's Red, I was shocked to discover that the $7 jar of anhydrous Lanolin (about a cupful) that I used to be able to get is no more. The pharmacy will special order in a container (about five pounds, they said) for about $17/lb. That's about an $85 hit.

Have to shop around and see if anyone carries smaller quantities.

I don't think I'm going to live long enough to use up that much Ed's Red, at 1 lb of lanolin per gallon of mixture. A gallon of Ed's Red lasts me quite a while.

I don't know if a person could substitute anything else, like Vaseline, glycerine, or olive oil. Those probably wouldn't react chemically with the solvent mixture, but I really don't know how well they'd do the same jobs as the lanolin. They're all kind to the skin, so that part of it is O.K.

Vaseline is petroleum-based, & is sticky and stiff (although it does liquify if you heat it, same as lanolin). Olive oil and glycerine are liquids, which should mix easily. Don't know how well olive oil or glycerine would function in the action of a gun, however. Glycerine is another base that's used in hand creams, and it has some lubricating properties; I know olive oil was used as a lubricant in things like clocks, a long time ago.

Having no background in organic chemistry, this would be a seat-of-the-pants experiment. Maybe make up just a small amount and try it on a beater rifle.... if the stuff didn't permanently glue the action together with the heat of firing, it would probably be O.K. otherwise. Certainly the olive oil in particular is good for wood.

Just mumbling my way along here.....
 
Last edited:
If you know someone in the medical profession, see if they can get you a couple Pyrex lab bottles........

http://catalog2.corning.com/Lifesci...e+Bottles,+Screw+Cap,+Graduated(Lifesciences)

The only problem is that if you buy them direct, you have to buy a case of 10..........at $98.00 per case.......

I have been using a 250 ML Pyrex bottle for my Shooters Choice/Kroil mixture for over 15 years...........no issues........;)
 
i've had a batch of eds red sitting in the hdpe bottles that the varsol, ineral spirits, kerosene, atf and YES THE ACETONE came in. It hasn't melted a hole through the bottles/floor/through to china yet.

Acetone isn't some kind of crazy acid bath...they sell it in high density polyethylene bottles (it's called nail polish remover).
 
Skullboy said:
If you know someone in the medical profession, see if they can get you a couple Pyrex lab bottles........

http://catalog2.corning.com/Lifesci...e+Bottles,+Screw+Cap,+Graduated(Lifesciences)

The only problem is that if you buy them direct, you have to buy a case of 10..........at $98.00 per case.......

I have been using a 250 ML Pyrex bottle for my Shooters Choice/Kroil mixture for over 15 years...........no issues........;)
Click to expand...

Good thought. I know a girl who works in a medical research lab; I'm sure they have lots of Pyrex kicking around, and if I speak sweetly, one or two bottles might find their way out. Not quite so much of a priority, as I lucked out today with the stainless steel flask - pure fluke that I was in the Dollar store about an hour after reading that post.

Just occasionally my luck and my needs match up....
 
mwjones said:
i've had a batch of eds red sitting in the hdpe bottles that the varsol, ineral spirits, kerosene, atf and YES THE ACETONE came in. It hasn't melted a hole through the bottles/floor/through to china yet.

Acetone isn't some kind of crazy acid bath...they sell it in high density polyethylene bottles (it's called nail polish remover).
Click to expand...

No, it's not crazy reactive. However, it does tend to leach out through some types of plastic, and softens others. My last try with a plastic bottle made a hell or a mess - poor quality plastic, I guess.
 
Range box squirt bottle-

Flying Beaver said:
Hi all,
This probably seems like something really obvious, but I've had no luck with it and so am throwing it out to the group for suggestions.

I mix up my batches of Ed's Red bore cleaner in ar one gallon approved gasoline container. I've had no problems with it being eaten up by the acetone, or leaking.

However, I'm stumped about finding a small container to put in my range box that the Ed's Red won't eat up or leak through. Nothing seems to come in metal bottles with a screw-top any more, and a glass bottle, like a Snapple container, is not the best as 1) they get broken easily, and 2) the lid seals are all made of plastic, which the Ed's Red eats away in no time flat. My last glass container bit the dust (actually the concrete) a few weeks back.

Any suggestions for something that's fairly readily available and would fit in a range box? There's probably some obvious type of container I'm overlooking.

Many Thanks.
Click to expand...


Check out Brownells - I got some great small impervious plastic bottles with long brass screw lock precision spigots a few years ago-

:ar15:
swingerlh.gif
 
[/Quote] Still on the subject of Ed's Red, I was shocked to discover that the $7 jar of anhydrous Lanolin (about a cupful) that I used to be able to get is no more. The pharmacy will special order in a container (about five pounds, they said) for about $27. Have to shop around and see if anyone carries smaller quantities.

I don't think I'm going to live long enough to use up that much Ed's Red, at 1 lb of lanolin per gallon of mixture. A gallon of Ed's Red lasts me quite a while.

I don't know if a person could substitute anything else, like Vaseline, glycerine, or olive oil. Those probably wouldn't react chemically with the solvent mixture, but I really don't know how well they'd do the same jobs as the lanolin. They're all kind to the skin, so that part of it is O.K.

Vaseline is petroleum-based, & is sticky and stiff (although it does liquify if you heat it, same as lanolin). Olive oil and glycerine are liquids, which should mix easily. Don't know how well olive oil or glycerine would function in the action of a gun, however. Glycerine is another base that's used in hand creams, and it has some lubricating properties; I know olive oil was used as a lubricant in things like clocks, a long time ago.

Having no background in organic chemistry, this would be a seat-of-the-pants experiment. Maybe make up just a small amount and try it on a beater rifle.... if the stuff didn't permanently glue the action together with the heat of firing, it would probably be O.K. otherwise. Certainly the olive oil in particular is good for wood.

Just mumbling my way along here.....[/QUOTE]

Purolan is sold in most pharmacies, it is lanolin. Nursing mothers use it. Not the cheapest wat to get it but it is convenient.
 
Casper said:
What's the recipe for ed's red ?
I made some a few years ago, from a recipe i found on google. I don't ever remember putting lanolin in it.
Click to expand...

You can see Ed's entire article and recipe here:

ht tp://www.handloads.com/articles/default.asp?id=9

Here's an excerpt:

"CONTENTS: Ed's Red Bore Cleaner

- 1 part Dexron II, IIe or III ATF, GM Spec. D-20265 or later.

- 1 part Kerosene - deodorized, K1

- 1 part Aliphatic Mineral Spirits, Fed. Spec. TT-T-2981F, CAS #64741-49-9, or substitute"Stoddard Solvent", CAS #8052-41-3, or equivalent, (aka "Varsol")

- 1 part Acetone, CAS #67-64-1.

- (Optional up to 1 lb. of Lanolin, Anhydrous, USP per gallon, OK to substitute Lanolin, Modified, Topical Lubricant, from the drug store)


MIXING INSTRUCTIONS: Mix outdoors, in good ventilation. Use a clean 1 gallon metal, chemical-resistant, heavy gage PET or PVC plastic container. NFPA approved plastic gasoline storage containers are also OK. Do NOT use HDPE, which is breathable because the acetone will evaporate. The acetone in ER will attack HDPE in about 6 months, making a heck of a mess!

Add the ATF first. Use the empty container to measure the other components, so that it is thoroughly rinsed. If you incorporate the lanolin into the mixture, melt this carefully in a double boiler, taking precautions against fire.

Pour the melted lanolin it into a larger container, rinsing the lanolin container with the bore cleaner mix, and stirring until it is all dissolved.

I recommend diverting a small quantity, up to 4 ozs. per quart of the 50-50 ATF/kerosene mix for use as an "ER-compatible" gun oil. This can be done without impairing the effectiveness of the mix."

Enjoy.
 
I'm not sure what the function of the lanolin in the mixture is but I just don't bother to include it. The mix seems to work just fine for cleaning.

It's certainly not included to be good for your skin since it's way too little and too late considering all the other stuff.
 
I use a small PET plastic bottle

lanolin can be bought at any pharmacy, I got 1lb at wal-mart. They ordered it in.

But I would leave it out of eds red.
 
You can mix Shooter's Choice and Kroil (Penetrating oil) in a 2 to 1 ratio............works great if you shoot moly coated bullets as it doesn't arm the moly in the bore.

Got this recipe from a Canadian National team Fullbore rifle competitor.........
 
How about a 1 lb metal powder container - same as used for one litre of acetone, mineral spirits, etc. sold at Can. Tire. Otherwise, any HDPE container should resist those solvents.
 
Regardign the recipe (sorry if this is a hijack :redface:)... I've found eds red good for just about everything from black powder to wad fouling to powder residue in a .22, but it doesn't do much to copper....thinking of adding a litre of ammonia to the next batch. Anyone tried this?
 
mwjones said:
Regardign the recipe (sorry if this is a hijack :redface:)... I've found eds red good for just about everything from black powder to wad fouling to powder residue in a .22, but it doesn't do much to copper....thinking of adding a litre of ammonia to the next batch. Anyone tried this?
Click to expand...
Try MEA (grout cleaner) it is the stuff used in wipeout and kills copper, not your bore.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom