Cleaning Patches

[smokeywolf]

I have bought patches a couple of times over the last 20 year, but I favor Mrs. smokeywolf's old flannel nighties. Like JW does for his lady, I buy her a new flannel nighty just about every year. Also, as I have to have it for patches for the flintlock, I'll sometimes use mattress or pillow ticking. I've never had to buy ticking. Back in the late '60s, Dad had 2 mattresses custom made to fit the Greyhound bus that he built into an RV. He didn't forget to ask for several yards of ticking as a customer relations type gimme.

For rags for wiping down and general cleaning, I use the terry cloth rags that I buy by the bundle at Costco.
Best rags ever, for wiping down guns, cars, guitars or any other surface that you cared a lot about were cloth diapers that had seen 100 or so washings. After that many washings they're soft and almost lint free. Those dog-gone things are awfully tough to find these days.

 

[Winelover]

I have to be bored silly....... to resort to cutting patches.

 

[Rick]

I have to be bored silly....... to resort to cutting patches.

Same here, I did it many years ago and it took all desire to save money on commercial patches right out of me.

 

[Lost Dog]

JSH, that's fascinating! Never seen such a device. A rolling fabric cutter that's adjustable? Where are they found? You've got my full attention. There's a shop in town that caters to quilters. Mighty drop in there.

 

[alamogunr]

I bought a large assortment of patches from Midway back when they sent out the monthly circular. I've still got several bags of 1000. Only getting low on .44/.45 size patches.

I almost bought one of those circular fabric cutters and a "self healing" cutting board once. Considered the cost and decided old T-shirts weren't as good as boughten patches and the cost was about break even. Might reconsider after learning that some here use something other than T-shirts.

The cutters are sold at most fabric stores. In addition to Jo-Anne, there is Hancock Fabrics which is the place I checked.

 

[Pistolero]

I buy big bags of precut patches in various sizes of white flannel and some are a weird
round paperish sort of tough material for .30 cal rifles, probably govt surplus. They work
fine but too big for smaller bores or with really tight jags.

Past cutting patches.....used to do that, not worth the time any more for me.

Bill

 

[Ricochet]

I've gone in the fabric store with calipers. Just looking for the right stuff to patch my balls. I've always explained it a little more technically, and get interested replies from the ladies about their, their husbands' or boyfriends' guns and shooting. Around here a lady is about as likely to be carrying a gun as not.

 

[Ricochet]

I'm going to have to give the paper towels a try now.