Homemade Percussion Caps: Adding Extra Hardener, Part 1

[@Gunsmith-4570]

Thank you, you are taking a very serious look at the shortages in our hobby if each person will use a scientific approach and do clear and concise reporting on each new trial many people will benefit.

[@wvcruffler123]

On the cyanoacrylate glue they make some excellent thin, rapid setting formulas used in stone inletting. I made nitrocellulose lacquer with acetone plus a double based smokeless powder. I went 10% and it’s a good density. Thicker than water and thinner than the Prime All blue stuff. Also - drilled some 0.21 holes in a thin piece of wood from Wal Mart art section so the caps are flush with the surface. Used a fine paintbrush to load each cap, pushed them out the back with a cake pop stick (made of paper and also OD 0.18”). Then a drop on them and they are done. Was a learning curve - I am sure a bunch of mine won’t fire as I tried to use paper dots and that was a mess…..

[@timesgonetech3057]

Let us know how it works! Sounds like a decent idea.

[@wvcruffler123]

Today I decided to try that in the pouring rain. A few things I noticed - the ones with no paper cap and NC Lacquer were the hottest. Also had a dash of aluminum powder from some Tannerite someone left here. I used the other part for fertilizer. The paper ones were maybe 30% successful. The ones w the blue stuff that comes w the kit didn’t work at all. Technique wise - I’m pushing all 3 through a fine mesh then mixing the sulfur and antimony separately from the ground glass/potassium chlorate (they appear to be mixed together already. Then did the paper roll. My primers are in a hole in a wooden sheet and I brush the compound into them then use a paper stick (cake pop stick) to press them out the back. My next 10 will all Be just NC lacquer. I compared it to Commercial #11 and these are hotter by a bit.

[@GarethNichols-k1c]

Thank you for your videos about percussion cap making. You seem very educated and and you are very thorough about every detail and I admire that. Quick question.. ever thought about making a primer solution on paper and bond to the inside of the percussion cap? Once again… thank you sir

[@waynerobinson2656]

I have had great results using hair spray which was recommended by 22lr. I have no more failures with my homemade caps using the 22lr system/hairspray then with CCI. If the factory caps ever become available I will not be buying any… Thanks for posting Terry.

[@timesgonetech3057]

One other viewer suggested hair spray also. I'll have to try that out in a follow up. Thanks for the comment!

[@kaak6976]

Do you still use acetone before ? Or both ? Or just hairspray ??? Thank you

[@waynerobinson6219]

@@kaak6976 i still use acetone. After it dries or evaporates is when i use the hairspray. I might add that my caps are siting open side up in an empty pistole primer tray.

[@jadenknight9876]

I was about to post a video up on these myself I definitely prefer to make them myself sometimes

[@carlericvonkleistiii2188]

Good video series! I'll keep my eye out for the next part.

[@GenderSkins]

Hey Terry, I was reading something tonight one primers, specifically with H48. You might try adding some paper disk to your percussion cups, to help secure the primer compound in the cups before adding the sealant. As the manual I was reading mentioned something about adding paper disk in primers. Dunno if it will work with percussion caps, but it might be worth trying.

[@timesgonetech3057]

I'll this to my ongoing list of things to try.

[@woodrowbrimm2805]

I had trouble with Aluminum tearing out at first but I Polished the inside of the die and I use a Propane Torch to Anneal the Sheet before Punching them out . This almost eliminates the tearing. The Yellow Packet is Dextrin a Glue made from Corn Starch which doesn't work well. Iv'e Tried Shellac and all I got was a big mess . Duco mixed about 4 to 1 Acetone to Duco works for me.and helps with ignition with Pyrodex P .

[@timesgonetech3057]

Try dissolving a heaping tablespoon of double base smokeless powder in 250ml acetone. It's nitrocellulose like Duco but with more nitration and also contains a little nitroglycerin. It also waterproofs the cap very well. I add a second drop after the initial cure and I've soaked them in water for over 3 minutes and they fired off like fresh.

[@williamwallace8277]

Hello, I bought number 10, I sometimes had 10%, 20% or more rarely 30% rejection because I especially wanted my caps to be as perfect as possible. but I also think that my failures were also due to the irregularity of my strikes. Those that I had deemed acceptable were all hit. I'm going to test some again soon to see if they are good over time.

[@timesgonetech3057]

Right now I'm still in the learning curve and trying different formulas so I expect my reject rate to settle down in the future. But I am keeping acurate records going forward so I can report back to my viewers.

[@williamwallace8277]

@@timesgonetech3057 In any case, please clarify certain legends found on blogs or KZbin videos in France

[@wonder-bred]

Ive used match heads and spit, dries pretty hard. A little leary about match heads lighting off from the the adjacent cylinder but hasnt happend yet

[@timesgonetech3057]

I've never tried that. Just rub light anywhere heads right into the nipples?

[@wonder-bred]

@@timesgonetech3057 carefully grind a few heads only 3 or 4 at a time they may light off when grinding lol, probably not as strong as the other stuff but will still go pop.

[@jackray3352]

I like to use both.

[@timesgonetech3057]

Sounds like a plan!

[@slcgrgcrgcaneafgugiesclawhfg]

I just take a bottle of nail polish remover and unscientifically add the Duco cement right into the bottle. That way I don't have to mix it every time. Your percentage sounds about right. Where the #10 and #11 cap makers come in handy is with different thicknesses of Aluminum. I have made copper caps for the sake of appearance, but in reality they do not work any different than the aluminum ones. Get an empty large primer tray from someone who reloads. Makes a perfect loading block for this - you caps won't tip over and its easy to move the entire batch somewhere to dry - though it does not take as long as the instructions say.

[@robertlamontagne2547]

Anyone try sanding the aluminum to create a rough surface to help the adhesion of the compound

[@timesgonetech3057]

I'll add it to my list! :-)

[@Jb-qn2xz]

The guy used 20% duco 80% acetone. 1 to 4 means 5 parts total each of those 5 parts equates to 20% Hope this helps.