An interesting idea for a tamper...

[lordsirgarrett]

So the other night I was looking around for something to use for a tamper. I've ordered a czech tool, of course, but I wanted something more.... unique. So I thought to myself, "Slim, cylindrical, flat face on one end..." And then it hit me! I promptly skipped out to the workbench, and two minutes later I reemerged inside with this! Just imagine someone tamping tobacco with one of these:

And don't worry, it's safe:

Now I just have to decide if I wanna take a drill to it and make a keychain or just keep it in my tobacco pouch. What do you fellas think I should do?

 

[spartan]

I think you should do both!
And welcome to the forums!

 

[hobie1dog]

Welcome to the forum...that is an old idea, with many variations, usually having a pick or blade that goes down in the cartridge.

 

[buster]

I use a spent Winchester 308 brass. I keep it in the ash tray on my back pourch with a nail. I also have a wine cork in the ash tray as a pipe knocker. Heck the ash tray is a clay pot saucer! It is fun too repurpose things! Viva Mcgyver! :D

 

[lordsirgarrett]

Ahhh yeah, I knew it was too good to be true. Guess I just reinvented it then. Oh well, that's not bad either. I thought having the bullet be seemingly intact would be neat anyway.
Also, thanks for all the welcomes! I'm really liking it here.

 

[group4]

I put some old 9mm brass on the ends of stag horn. Kinda similar.

 

[philip]

It's amazing how many discoveries through the ages have been made simultaneously by independent thinkers.
Welcome to the forum.

 

[pentangle]

You americans it seems could not live without arms 8O I live in a country where their possess isn't permitted and i have to admit i'm happy for that

peace and love

Maurizio

 

[jcsnaps]

Welcome to the forums. Hobie- like this?

 

[ejames]

I have one a friend gave me made from two cartridge casings, one is stamped 8 MM,it fits into a Remington 44 Mag. No pick or spoon but it will hold a few matches.

 

[jchaplick]

I used to use a 223 case that was spent, then i cut the flat head off of a pipe nail, and epoxyed it in, so i had the end of the bullet for a tamper and the end of the pipe nail sticking out for a scrapper. Was pretty neat till i ran it over with my truck by accident

 

[juvat270]

You americans it seems could not live without arms I live in a country where their possess isn't permitted and i have to admit i'm happy for that

Im glad you are because I sure as hell wouldn't be. If there is one thing you don't mess with, it's an American and their guns. :wink:
Using a spent case makes a great tamper! Some people are cautious with the lead issue, but I doubt theres enough residue on the case that'll do much harm.

 

[baronsamedi]

I've been using spent .45ACP brass on my "finger of doom" tampers lately. I have one standing next to a .38 spl one made for me by ichbinmüde during the first tamper swap. They are like big and little brother. I take ichbin's out with me every time I walk the dog. It's superb!
I find it interesting how people in other countries react to the amount of weaponry we possess here in the US. People ask, "Why do you feel the need to have an AK-47?" I tell them "In case the pistols and shotgun run out of ammo". They say, "You can't hunt with an assault rifle!" I say "Wrong! Ever heard of 'tourist season'"?
Especially being from Texas, people in other countries think we haven't changed since the 1850s. They always ask if I ride a horse (Yes, an iron one) and if I have any guns. Got me a lot of free beers when I was stationed overseas talking about Texas.

 

[baronsamedi]

Just make sure you use spent or inert brass for those tampers or you will be giving "boom stick" a whole new meaning! :rofl:

 

[matchstickman]

Just make sure you use spent or inert brass for those tampers or you will be giving "boom stick" a whole new meaning!

I was wondering if maybe the powder had been poured out of the cartridge or if this was a spent round that he had just put another bullet back on. Seems to me that tamping burning tobacco with a live round is a recipe for disaster. 8O

 

[ichbinmuede]

I was wondering if maybe the powder had been poured out of the cartridge

Hah don't forget the primer. That'd be a hell of a surprise as well. :rofl:

 

[kcvet67]

I was wondering if maybe the powder had been poured out of the cartridge or if this was a spent round

Check the second picture, it's spent.

 

[stryder]

I tend to use revolver cases because they have a rim. I have put antler and wood in them. I even cut off the rim and glued it to the bottom of a wooden tamper (kind of different).

I have a good supply of spent cases but you can also go to any shooting range and ask for a handful. You can also use .410 shotgun shells (spent naturally). I made a tamper by reheating the end and folding it back and glueing it so looks like a live shell (live shells are crimped/folded on the end to hold in the shot and powder). That has got some interesting comments from people seeing me use it!

If I had a small lathe I would glue up some light and dark wood then turn into a cartridge shape....hint hint

 

[pstlpkr]

You americans it seems could not live without arms

You are exactly right Pentangle... It's hard to pack a pipe without them. :D
I know a really bad joke... couldn't pass it up though.

 

[juni]

How about a more peaceful solution: thimbles?