Testing patch materials at home

[JJasper]

I recently tested a new denim patch material by seating a ball and lubed patch all the way to the breach of my 54 caliber flintlock. I then pulled it and discovered the patch was severely thinned in many places and had several big holes where the circumference of the ball met the barrel. I was mainly trying to see if I had solved my problems with sharp lands that often cut my patches, but ended up learning that the 11.5 oz denim I had just purchased was not very tough stuff. I just wanted to try a thicker patch material, and this looked like good stuff (100% cotton that burned, not melted when I put a match to it).

I repeated the test with the same material several times and got the same results. I did another test with my usual .016 pillow ticking and the patch came out in perfect shape. I'm wondering if anyone else has ever tried this test, and if it is a true test of patch material strength? I'm wondering if perhaps pulling a ball may put even more stress on the patch than actually shooting it. That doesn't seem likely, but who knows.

My time at the range is very limited, so figuring this out at home will save me a lot of wasted range time. I guess I thought most denim was created equal, so long as it was not a stretch denim. I was actually looking for a cotton “drill” but Joann fabric doesn’t seem to use that term.

 

[necchi]

Interesting, I use denim for patch.
I wish I could give ya a definitive answer about your test, but I've always tested patch at the range.
Gotta admit the photo of the denim you have dosen't show alot of promise. I do know when I select a fabric I'm looking for a tight weave and there are some I pass over even if they look like the proper thickness.
When I do have some fabric that has proven unworthy of patching, I just cut the stuff up in squares and use'm for cleaning.

 

[David W.]

Joann's does call it "drill", or "pocket drill". Maybe you did not ask the right person. I have not performed your test, but recovered denim looks really frayed out of my rifle, but not "blown out". Denims do have differnt thread counts. Select the one with the tightest, of course. Mostly, I use ticking. Be sure to take your mic's along so you can get strange looks! :rotf:

 

[JJasper]

Interesting, I use denim for patch.
I wish I could give ya a definitive answer about your test, but I've always tested patch at the range.
Gotta admit the photo of the denim you have dosen't show alot of promise...

This denim has a slight stretchy, cushy feel to it, but the label on the bolt said nothing about it being stretch denim. I think it may have a low thread count even though it is thick stuff (.024 uncompressed). I guess I need to learn how to determine the thread count by looking at the label. I think you are right...this stuff will work nicely for cleaning purposes.

 

[JJasper]

Joann's does call it "drill", or "pocket drill". Maybe you did not ask the right person. I have not performed your test...

I just need to go back there and boldly ask again for "cotton drill." The pillow ticking I'm using is fine, but I bought it pre-packaged at Cabelas and paid a ridiculous price for it. My recovered ticking patches are also very frayed, but intact otherwise except for an occasional cut patch due to sharp lands in my relatively new flintlock. I think I have solved that problem by using a maroon colored Scotch Brite pad on the bore, and through careful fire lapping with 10 conical bullets coated with 320 grit fire lapping compound. Time will tell.

 

[buford87]

When you go to Joann's check out the muslin material it may show some promise................watch yer top knot...................

 

[Zonie]

Folks going to JoAnn's should beware of the clerk that looks like a football player.

If you ask her to show you the "cotton drill" you'll suddenly hear,
"COTTON DRILL..NOW!!
ON THE FLOOR FOR SOME PUSHUPS NOW!!!
ONE....TWO....THREE...FOUR...MORE ENTHUSIASM!.. SIX......"

She used to be a Marine DI.

:rotf:

 

[JJasper]

I will definitely be on the look out for her. Thanks for the warning! :grin:

 

[longcruise]

The label on the bolts of Joann's pocket drill is #40 drill. I had the same problem first time I went in there to get some. I just searched all the bolts of cotton that looked like a good prospect until I found the one labeled #40 drill.

 

[buford87]

How thick is No. 40 drill????

 

[David W.]

How thick is No. 40 drill????

We're not going to tell you. You're going to have to take your mic's with you to Joann's and get strange looks just like everybody else! Hey, I'm not going to be the only one they think is nuts. :rotf:

 

[JJasper]

I not only take my mics...I also take several 54 cal. balls so I can mic the material wrapped around one. The last time I was at Joanns I kept dropping the balls because it is hard to get the ball, the material, and the mics just right so you get a good reading. I don't think anyone saw me crawling around on the floor chasing my balls, but perhaps they looked away quickly so as to not embarass me. But seriously, I also would like to know the thickness of #40 drill.

 

[David W.]

I have to rely on memory, which isn't so good these days. I think its .020".