DIY cleaning patches

formernuke · Oct 11, 2024

I'm thinking of just getting some cloth from the fabric store and making my own cleaning patches.

Have you guys done this?
Do the patches have to be round, or can Just cut squares?
Can I use muslim cloth instead of t-shirt cloth?
What size for .50 cal and 12 gauge?

kyron4 · Oct 11, 2024

Calum · Oct 11, 2024

'morning,

Old t-shirts work just fine. Cut it into strips 2-2.5" wide and then reduce the strips to squares. Make 'em slightly larger for bigger calibers, or smaller. Obviously, don't use the parts with designs on them, but there's usually a lot of t-shirt that is useable.

Mike

LME · Oct 11, 2024

formernuke said:
I'm thinking of just getting some cloth from the fabric store and making my own cleaning patches.

Have you guys done this?
Do the patches have to be round, or can Just cut squares?
Can I use muslim cloth instead of t-shirt cloth?
What size for .50 cal and 12 gauge?

I cut up old tee shirts for patches! I have never bought patches to clean with . I do but patches for loading.

flatcreek · Oct 11, 2024

You can also cut square patches for shooting. I have and i notice no difference in loading or accuracy.

LME · Oct 11, 2024

flatcreek said:
You can also cut square patches for shooting. I have and i notice no difference in loading or accuracy.

I am aware of that but I don't have anything that is the right thickness?

fubar22 · Oct 11, 2024

Stylish designer patches only for my precious babies. Armani or Dior scented lightly with pumpkin spice. Oh, and they have to be antique white and round. Perfectly round.

Grenadier1758 · Oct 11, 2024

formernuke said:
I'm thinking of just getting some cloth from the fabric store and making my own cleaning patches.

Have you guys done this?
Do the patches have to be round, or can Just cut squares?
Can I use muslim cloth instead of t-shirt cloth?
What size for .50 cal and 12 gauge?

Diaper flannel or other baby flannel for cleaning. Often found in the heavily discounted bolt ends. Any shape you want. Square is easiest to cut. 1 1/2:to 2" will work. As you use the cleaning patches, you can adjust the size. No need to over think cleaning patches. I use the flannel sheets found in resale shops. One flannel sheet will last years.

Rebel bull · Oct 11, 2024

I use bolt ends of fleece $10 of remnants lasts a really long time and really gets into the grooves

Big Tom 52 · Oct 11, 2024

I took an old hunting sock and cut it up. I needed a snug patch to use with JB bore clean when I gave my 50 cal. a good scrubbing. I don't use them for cleaning after every trip to the range but like to give the barrel a good scrubbing after 5 or 6 trips. With a 50-cal. jag it is Definity snug!

Harry Marinakis · Oct 11, 2024

I use 0.015" flannel, cut into 1-1/2" squares

windini · Oct 11, 2024

You spoiled young'uns and your fancy "cleaning patches!"

Granpappy didn't need no patch! He just peed down the barrel, rammed down some thistle heads, whittled a chunk of 0.25F powder into a cone shape with his eyetooth (he only had one), shoved it under the nipple, and KER-POW! Clean as a whistle! And furthermore... I use old t-shirts, socks, the non-elastic parts of underwear, old bedsheets, worn-out cloth napkins, whatever I have lying around.

Cruzatte · Oct 11, 2024

formernuke said:
I'm thinking of just getting some cloth from the fabric store and making my own cleaning patches.

Have you guys done this?
Do the patches have to be round, or can Just cut squares?
Can I use muslim cloth instead of t-shirt cloth?
What size for .50 cal and 12 gauge?

All the time
Doesn't matter.
You could. However in my experience cotton flannel is more absorbent
For .50 I'd say inch and a quarter square or diameter would do. For 12 ga., twice that is what I'd estimate.

Kev308 · Oct 11, 2024

I go to home depot or Ace and buy rags in a box, yes thats the name ofnit. Then take a couple out and cut the patches I need for my guns. They hold up very well to the cleaning process( one wet, one dry)
And a box lasts a good long time.

The Crisco Kid · Oct 11, 2024

I bought a 100% cotton king size flannel bed sheet at an estate sale for $3:00. Enough cleaning patch material to last for years. There are threads on here about cutting patches with a modified hole saw which is what I use. I made about 300 in a few minutes this afternoon.

The Miner '49er · Oct 11, 2024

Not wanting to throw the earth off its axis BUT in addition to the diy cloth patches mentioned in this thread, you might be surprised how well good quality paper towels and paper shop towels work.

Eric Krewson · Oct 12, 2024

I use the baby blanket cotton fleece from Joann's, a fabric cutting wheel and the cutting board makes cutting large numbers of cleaning patches very easy.

longcruise · Oct 12, 2024

Eric Krewson said:
I use the baby blanket cotton fleece from Joann's, a fabric cutting wheel and the cutting board makes cutting large numbers of cleaning patches very easy.

View attachment 354776

I use the same stuff. It's easy to use, readily available, cost efficient and any shape you choose. I've found it at Joanne's and also Wally World and Hobby Lobby.

mjthornhill · Sunday at 7:37 AM

The Miner '49er said:
Not wanting to throw the earth off its axis BUT in addition to the diy cloth patches mentioned in this thread, you might be surprised how well good quality paper towels and paper shop towels work.

I have been using the blue paper shop towels for some time now. They work fine. Just cut the size you need with scissors.

The Miner '49er · Sunday at 11:38 AM

Either of these work very well. They can be cut from cotton material in whatever thickness you need. You won't make too many at a time but you will be proud of yourself when you're done. BTW, Merry Christmas!

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