Polyester felt...

[ppb]

I have an old com-tech tool case that I've been using as a range case for some time. I've just finished adding some compartments to help with the organization of stuff. Made the dividers, wrapped them with toolbox liner "felt," set it in place and that project is done. Coffee time...

...but then, it occurred to me that the "felt" material I used is a polyester fabric which could possibly accumulate a static charge on it's surface. I am given to understand the plastic "cans" in which BP is shipped, sold, and stored is static resistant. However, worrywart that I am, I wonder if I will create a compromising, perhaps dangerous situation by carrying BP to and from the range in one of those newly "felted" compartments. Am I over-thinking this?

Thoughts and comments welcomed.

ppb

 

[deerstalkert]

way over thinking it. tests have shown static discharge lacks sufficient heat to ignite BP. be well

 

[doubleset]

Don't feel bad about worrying about it. Take a look at the hand-wringing and soul-searching in various threads (on woodworking forums) devoted to the paranoia concerning whether your dust collector will result in a massive dust explosion if you don't ground everything you can see.

But I suppose you could just attach a ground strap to your tool case and then drag that behind you wherever you go. It occurs to me that the only time I EVER got a static charge off a piece of luggage (including a variety of tool cases, gun cases, and musical instrument cases) was when I was in my teens and had a fiberglass suitcase with an aluminum frame. It was basically a giant capacitor. You'd be walking along with it -- holding the fiberglass handles and with your pant leg rubbing against fiberglass side. Then accidentally get the aluminum frame close to something that was grounded and ZAP!! Most exciting piece of luggage I ever had.

 

[russellshaffer]

Here's a gentleman who tried very hard to set off powder electrically. He couldn't do it. Static Electricity and Black Powder

 

[SDSmlf]

the "felt" material I used is a polyester fabric which could possibly accumulate a static charge

Don’t see static being an issue. Now use polyester fabric for patch or wad material and you will have issues.

 

[ppb]

Here's a gentleman who tried very hard to set off powder electrically. He couldn't do it. Static Electricity and Black Powder

Thanks for your response and sourcing that reference material.
I appreciate it.

 

[ppb]

Thanks to everyone for your thoughtful replies.
I can rest easy now.
All the best,
ppb

 

[Nor Cal Mikie]

Thinking about static electricity, just got some strokes on the Cat.
Heard the "snap" but he didn't move so not enough to bother him.
And the melted cotton poly wad? That should be a fun clean up job.

 

[deerstalkert]

Thinking about static electricity, just got some strokes on the Cat.
Heard the "snap" but he didn't move so not enough to bother him.
And the melted cotton poly wad? That should be a fun clean up job.

easy with a grease gun and zerk!
stinking static is so bad in the winter we have 2 steam pots on the wood stove all the time.
wife and i bump shoulders before touching bare skin. get out of the recliner and touch the stove handle gets a disco dance!

 

[FPDoc]

Don't feel bad about worrying about it. Take a look at the hand-wringing and soul-searching in various threads (on woodworking forums) devoted to the paranoia concerning whether your dust collector will result in a massive dust explosion if you don't ground everything you can see.

But I suppose you could just attach a ground strap to your tool case and then drag that behind you wherever you go. It occurs to me that the only time I EVER got a static charge off a piece of luggage (including a variety of tool cases, gun cases, and musical instrument cases) was when I was in my teens and had a fiberglass suitcase with an aluminum frame. It was basically a giant capacitor. You'd be walking along with it -- holding the fiberglass handles and with your pant leg rubbing against fiberglass side. Then accidentally get the aluminum frame close to something that was grounded and ZAP!! Most exciting piece of luggage I ever had.

From quote above: "It was basically a giant capacitor. You'd be walking along with it -- holding the fiberglass handles and with your pant leg rubbing against fiberglass side. Then accidentally get the aluminum frame close to something that was grounded and ZAP!! Most exciting piece of luggage I ever had."

I had a similar problem from time to time, back when I still shopped at Sam's Club, while pushing one of their carts and wearing Crocs whose soles were worn paper thin. Every few yards my hands would get zapped, I would jump and people would glance at me and head for another isle.