Reloading where kids spend time?

mozambique technique

mozambique technique

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I'm getting into reloading and about the only place in the house I can mount a press is on an old desk in our TV room. I'd only use it when the kids aren't around and everything else would be stored elsewhere.

What I'm concerned about is lead residue polluting the area or rug. The only possible risk (I've read) is dirty spent primers ending up on the floor when punched out. Is this enough risk to find another place to reload?

I'm using a Lee turret press.

Thanks for any input.
 
I would move it myself. I reload on a concrete floor and there is always residue and primers all over the place, not to mention spelt powder. If it is the only place then i would take suggest sunray's suggestion and vacuum after each session. if a hard floor maybe even a damp mop.
 
I've been casting my own bullets for about a year, maybe a little longer. I didn't exactly use the safest practices. My ventilation consisted of doing it in the door way of my garage with the door open, or on the tail gate of my truck (with a cap on it). One way or the other, no mask, and rarely any gloves. I've also been reloading for 2 years, and shooting for a LOT more than that.

I went and got my lead level tested and it was something like 0.4 mg/dL while the U.S. national average is something like 2.5 mg/dL. The old level that they started having concerns with was 10 mg/dl. The level that the experts are saying MIGHT cause problems is 5 mg/dL

Now.....all that being said, I NEVER take chances with my kids health when it comes to things like lead/chemical contamination. If there's a doubt.....even a slight one, no matter how irrational, I'll make changes to make sure that any danger is reduced to LESS than zero. I'd recommend you don't do it in a well travelled area in your home.
My 2 cents.
 
How old are your kids? If they are still at the crawling-around, putting everything in their mouth stage, then I'd be looking at a different location.

If your kids are 6+ years old, the sheet idea is a good one, and you needn't do it only when the kids aren't there. I started helping my dad reload when I was 6. My job was to check the powder levels in the loading block and then, after dad put the shell in the press, to seat the bullets (single stage press). Yup, I pinched my fingers a few times, and I'm sure it doubled the time it would have taken my father to load the ammo; but it's one of the many good memories I cherish.
 
Valid concerns,

When I did reload a while back in a public place of the house, I did cover the floor below the bench with newspapers. Then cleaned it up + vacuum.

The tumbling is done in the garage to minimize heavy metals getting into the family area.

on-ca
 
I guess I'll put in the sunroom or shed- a little chilly this time of year. I gotta figure out a way to catch the spent primers that the Lee Turret spits all over the place.

Thanks for the input.
 
Include your kids if they are big enough, I did. They love the time and attention they're getting to help "Dad make bullets!!" They'll likely only hang around for a short time as their attention span isn't great. But the benefit is your educating them on what is safe and what isn't. They'll not be so inclined to touch if your back is turned.

I only did the sizing and brass prep with them nearby, I did the measuring once they were asleep so I could concentrate 100% to the task at hand.

Now they're bigger, and I've got a designated loading area they just pop in to say hi!!

Also clean up real good as the gang suggests above. Even pets can be at risk if you have any.
 
mozambique technique said:
I guess I'll put in the sunroom or shed- a little chilly this time of year. I gotta figure out a way to catch the spent primers that the Lee Turret spits all over the place.

Thanks for the input.
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I use the same press, I bought a Lee decapper and decap the whole lots at once. If you press slowly you should be able to catch 90% of them, the others I find right away before I press out the next one.
 
Don’t Vacuum!

I’ve been told (and it makes sense) not to vacuum up your reloading area, unless you have a vacuum cleaner designed for it. The combination of powder, lint and heat can cause problems if a spark from the motor ignites it. You should use a broom and dustpan, and clean up excess powder with the sticky side of tape.
 
Vacuuming up your reloading area isn't recommended because if you get live primers in it the static electricity can set them off, never tried it though.
 
sallen said:
I’ve been told (and it makes sense) not to vacuum up your reloading area, unless you have a vacuum cleaner designed for it. The combination of powder, lint and heat can cause problems if a spark from the motor ignites it.
Click to expand...

duster said:
Vacuuming up your reloading area isn't recommended because if you get live primers in it the static electricity can set them off
Click to expand...

Oh puhleeese guys...

Here's an experiment to try. Take a small quantity (like a teaspoon) of smokeless powder, outside, in a metal dish, so it's safe. And right beside that put a cotton ball. Take an empty Bic lighter and flick sparks onto both the powder and the cotton ball.

Which starts first and easiest? Did you even manage to get the smokeless to light with the sparks? (ya, I know the flame from the cotton ball set it off).

When was the last time you heard about a vacuum bursting into flame from sucking-up lint which is an order of magnitude easier to ignite? I'm not saying it has never happened, just that it's so vanishingly rare that you'd probably be better-off installing meteor-protectors.

As for the static setting-off primers?!? When was the last time you heard about ammunition being set-off by static? Yes, it could happen, for instance, in the presence of a large Van de Graaff generator or lightning... You should probably keep both of those away from your reloading area.
 
idealy you could find a better spot but if you dont havbe one spead an old shower curtain or somehtingunderneath where you working and jsut be careful to not rub your lead covered hands all other everything:rolleyes:....
 
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