Head Shops..... Not Just for Stoners anymore!

[Stradawhovious]

In brainstorming different ways to clean lead out of the barrel of my handguns, I remembered back to the Lewis Lead removal kid that Vlad has. The Lewis kit uses a jag and brass screens to remove lead, and it does a fine job. The only problem is that the kit is spendy, and the replacement brass patches are $5 for 10, plus shipping. It turns out that people use screens like this for their "tobacco" pipes. The folks in question put these screens in the bowl of their "tobacco" pipes to keep the "tobacco" from falling out or something to that extent. So with this in mind, I went into the local Head shop and wondered over to the "tobacco" smoking accessories section. They just so happened to have these brass screens in little packages of 14 screens for a dollar. I bought some and headed home to clean my revolver.

The screens worked great. They are fairly thin, so in order for them to work well I had to double up on them, but after only a couple of passes the barrel was free of lead. No lead on or around the lands, and everything was spotless. I picked up the 1" screens, but they usually stock 1.5" screens as well, and I think those would work a little bit better. Just a heads up for those who might want to give it a try.

[DeanC]

LMAO.

But did you inhale?



"And you stick it in the barrel like this..."

[EJSG19]

In brainstorming different ways to clean lead out of the barrel of my handguns, I remembered back to the Lewis Lead removal kid that Vlad has. The Lewis kit uses a jag and brass screens to remove lead, and it does a fine job. The only problem is that the kit is spendy, and the replacement brass patches are $5 for 10, plus shipping. It turns out that people use screens like this for their "tobacco" pipes. The folks in question put these screens in the bowl of their "tobacco" pipes to keep the "tobacco" from falling out or something to that extent. So with this in mind, I went into the local Head shop and wondered over to the "tobacco" smoking accessories section. They just so happened to have these brass screens in little packages of 14 screens for a dollar. I bought some and headed home to clean my revolver.

The screens worked great. They are fairly thin, so in order for them to work well I had to double up on them, but after only a couple of passes the barrel was free of lead. No lead on or around the lands, and everything was spotless. I picked up the 1" screens, but they usually stock 1.5" screens as well, and I think those would work a little bit better. Just a heads up for those who might want to give it a try.

Nice idea. I like the Chore Boy routine, but when you cut it into patches you get tiny pieces of copper all over the place. Having some pre-made screens would make less mess. The bits of Chore Boy aren't real fun to dig out of the cleaning mat I've noticed.

[Stradawhovious]

. I like the Chore Boy routine, but when you cut it into patches you get tiny pieces of copper all over the place. Having some pre-made screens would make less mess. The bits of Chore Boy aren't real fun to dig out of the cleaning mat I've noticed.

This is exactly the reason I was looking for an alternative.

[justaguy]

How did you know about these shops and that the had these screens?

[infidel]

How did you know about these shops and that the had these screens?

[Stradawhovious]

How did you know about these shops and that the had these screens?

I've been a musician for 25 years. You pick up a few things on the subject when you are surrounded by stoners.

[justaguy]

How did you know about these shops and that the had these screens?

I've been a musician for 25 years. You pick up a few things on the subject when you are surrounded by stoners.

Sure.

[Paul]

I've been a musician for 25 years. You pick up a few things on the subject when you are surrounded by stoners.

Right............

And it depends on what kind of musician you want to claim to be, for all of that 25 years. Given that you are 33, according to your profile, I don't think you were rolling with the rough crowds, and doing blow off of the back of hookers at the tender age of 8. Additionally, you mentioned in a thread recently that you spent time as a professional tuba player. That sure does give you some street cred.

[macphisto]

Get help, Strad.

[Stradawhovious]

I've been a musician for 25 years. You pick up a few things on the subject when you are surrounded by stoners.

Right............

And it depends on what kind of musician you want to claim to be, for all of that 25 years. Given that you are 33, according to your profile, I don't think you were rolling with the rough crowds, and doing blow off of the back of hookers at the tender age of 8. Additionally, you mentioned in a thread recently that you spent time as a professional tuba player. That sure does give you some street cred.

Yes. Thanks for pointing that out. I Have been a musician since the tender age of 8, (before actually) and have played Tuba professionally. I also played guitar and bass in an endless stream of "jam" type bands, Punk bands (in my highschool years) and folk rock groups. I will leave it to your imagination as to where I gained my second hand knowledge.

Now you know, and knowing is half the battle.

[hammAR]

............you mentioned in a thread recently that you spent time as a professional tuba player. That sure does give you some street cred.

In some areas of town it does...........

[Paul]

I will leave it to your imagination as to where I gained my second hand knowledge.

"Second hand knowledge"... B.S., hippie.

[Ironbear]

FWIW, a few years ago I found and bought a big sheet of 80-mesh, 100% brass, wire screen at either Micheal's craft or Joann Fabric. I used some to make a crud filter for something or other. Now I have a use for the rest of it!

Kind of like this, except that mine was one sheet, folded up.
http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp?pageName=search&flag=true&PRODID=prd36767

[EJSG19]

FWIW, a few years ago I found and bought a big sheet of 80-mesh, 100% brass, wire screen at either Micheal's craft or Joann Fabric. I used some to make a crud filter for something or other. Now I have a use for the rest of it!

Kind of like this, except that mine was one sheet, folded up.
http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp?pageName=search&flag=true&PRODID=prd36767

Googled a bit. Hard finding too many places that sell this kind of thing. Lots of chinese companies (not a surprise, given the copper source) and here's one in the U.S.

http://www.bwire.com/copper_brass_wire_cloth.htm Not real cheap though.