Sources of Felt?

[Aftershock51]

I'm looking to start making my own felt wads for a .44 revolver. I've seen a few DIY tutorials on doing so, but they all seem to list Duro-Felt as their felt source. Is there somewhere else that I can find suitable felt for wads? Can I use felt found at a local craft shop? What's the difference?

[Blanket]

I go to goodwill and buy wool felt hats

[megasupermagnum]

Why would you not want to use durofelt? It is a very nice family that runs that place. Find the 1/8" hard felt (for wads) in the clearance section. You get a big chunk of top quality felt, better than any pre-cut I've found, and it is shipped to your door for cheap. Shipping is faster than most. I've bought there twice, and both times it was here in 2 days.

[Aftershock51]

Why would you not want to use durofelt? It is a very nice family that runs that place. Find the 1/8" hard felt (for wads) in the clearance section. You get a big chunk of top quality felt, better than any pre-cut I've found, and it is shipped to your door for cheap. Shipping is faster than most. I've bought there twice, and both times it was here in 2 days.

I don't have any problems with Duro-Felt and will probably place an order with them soon. But with most places catching the "OUT OF STOCK" fever, I wanted to know my alternatives just in case.

[stubshaft]

I have tried the old hat route and find it is so much easier, although slightly costlier to use Duro-felt.

[Aftershock51]

Is there such thing as felt that is not suitable for black powder usage? What would happen if I chose felt that was less dense, like the kind kids use for arts and crafts?

[Caswell Ranch]

You can cut the wads below into thirds or in half, short soak in bees wax. $9.79 for 500 (1,000 after cutting).
To the right of wad picture click on size and you will find .455. They work very well, the 28 gauge work very well in a .54 under a R.E.A.L. bullet , 11 gauge for Brown Bess and the list goes on.


https://www.ballisticproducts.com/Fiber-Cushion-Filler-Wad-12/productinfo/FC/

[Caswell Ranch]

Another option, I have tried also and work very well (no cutting), just soak in wax and you are done.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1010391437?pid=739373


The ones they have and I have used are the .45, 60 thou and they are almost a hard card compressed vegetable card, not as easy to use (push into the cylinder)
as the ones I posted on the last post.

[ButchC]

Grainger has felt for vibration damping/sound insulation sold by the square foot. I'm sure there are better deals out there but it's somewhere to look if things start drying up at the usual spots.

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[Wally44]

I went to a hat maker close to my house and got a bunch of trimmings from their hat it was free too lol

[1Hawkeye]

I get my pillow ticking from jo ann fabrics and I noticed they have thick felt as well.

[Hellgate]

Aftershock51,
I've experimented with wads for years because I am a cheapskate and refuse to pay the price of Wonder Wads. I eventually settled on buying 1/2" filler wads from Circle Fly through Track of the Wolf. You get 500 fiber wads that are 1/2" thick, lube them with any number of lube formulas (easiest is beeswax/lard 50/50) then split them while watching a cowboy movie on TV into 2 or 3 thicknesses. They end up costing you maybe 2-3 bucks a hundred if that and work just fine. I typically buy two bags (1000 total) and am set for a couple of years of Cowboy Action Shooting matches. Get the 45 cal wads for your 44s.

[Edward]

I don't have any problems with Duro-Felt and will probably place an order with them soon. But with most places catching the "OUT OF STOCK" fever, I wanted to know my alternatives just in case.
Buy enough that is not a problem , lead /primers will be a immediate and powder right behind problem . The cure is unknown unless you practice flint knapping and makin your own powder :bigsmyl2:

[Mr Peabody]

I get my pillow ticking from jo ann fabrics and I noticed they have thick felt as well.

That's where I go too

[Scrounge]

I'm looking to start making my own felt wads for a .44 revolver. I've seen a few DIY tutorials on doing so, but they all seem to list Duro-Felt as their felt source. Is there somewhere else that I can find suitable felt for wads? Can I use felt found at a local craft shop? What's the difference?

Someone else already mentioned Grainger, so I'll mention McMaster-Carr. They have stuff Grainger doesn't, and vice-versa, so it's good to have both in your toolbox, so to speak. ;) You can get felt at the hobby art suppliers, as well, but it's usually not natural fiber. Polyester felt may melt in the bore of your weapon and leave fouling that you wouldn't get with wool felt.

[alamogunr]

I'm not really into BP/muzzleloading, but I do enjoy shooting the Ruger Old Army. I bought the Duro-Felt and used Gatofeo lube. The link below has all the information. Granted, to acquire all that stuff would not be "cheap" but a little goes a long way. I bought a couple of punches from Track of the Wolf and just punch out what I need.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/found-proper-felt-to-make-wads.123266/

Link for Duro Felt. Site has changed since I bought from her.

http://www.durofelt.com/image_26.html

[Hellgate]

A hole punch of 7/16" for the 44s and 3/8" for the 36s chucked into a drill press and the felt sheet over an end block of wood punches them out easily. The only problem is the rpm of the drill press flings them a ways if you don't empty the punch. A very slow speed is all you need. Punch out the wads BEFORE lubing will be a lot less messy.
Dittos on the hobby/fabric shop "felt": it is not wool nor cotton.

[webfoot10]

Walmarts, Window and door weather striping. 25 ft roll, $1.25 works well. 1/2 in
wide , just cut off little squares and press into cylinder. Don't know what it's made
of, but it don't smoulder after firing. I lube with venison tallow. Vaseline or Crisco
will work also.

[pietro]

.

National chain craft/hobby shops and some fabric shops carry 9"x12" felt sheets - I use them in various colors to line pistol display cases I've made.

https://www.michaels.com/9x12-basic-felt-by-creatology/10153971.html


https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/811PI8JpB2L._AC_SX522_.jpg

[Brassmonkey]

Got a paper mill nearby? When I was a kid my stepdad brought home rolls of felt from conveyor belts I believe, built a stick frame shed and used it as sheathing. Coat of paint kept the water from rotting it.

[Jsm180]

I get felt from McMaster-Carr https://www.mcmaster.com/felt they have a warehouse in FL and most orders are delivered next day.

[archeryrob]

I need a better wad cutter than a 7/16" punch and hammer. Suggestions?

[sharps4590]

Is yours an arch punch? If not, get a 7/16 arch punch and chuck it up in a drill press, just go slow or, just use it as a punch

[archeryrob]

No and thank you

[Duckdog]

I've taken a 45 ACP case and drilled out the primer hole for a small bolt and sharpened the case. It cuts them pretty good. For the 50 cal I made something out of 1/2" copper plumbing pipe. I also use the punches. Anther source of wool felt is Hancock Fabrics and Joann fabrics. My wife is a quilter, so when I need some, she tells me if they have it.

[DaveM]

Ditto on using the punch in a drill press. It's a lot faster and no whacking.

The key with felt selection is that you want 100% wool felt, nothing with any synthetic fibers mixed in. The synthetics will melt when you fire the gun.

For lube, try 100% neatsfoot oil (not neatsfoot oil compound). This is what I use (https://www.amazon.com/Fiebings-100-Pure-Neatsfoot-Oil/dp/B009P7694K/). It's easier to lube the wads since all you do is soak them and squeeze out the excess. No mixing or melting. It works well to keep the fouling soft. It also works great as lube when shooting patched round balls. Plus, it's generally handy to have around for leather goods.

Note, I have not loaded a gun with a neatsfoot oil lubed wad and left it loaded for an extended period. Wads lubed with a harder lube like beeswax/tallow may be more suitable. I don't know if neatsfoot oil will ruin the charge.

[lead chucker]

I use the 1/8 inch dura felt for the real 50 cal lee bullet and works good i made a few punches for different calibers. I made one for a 58 cal shot gun that works very good. This stuff is so much fun. I get as much enjoyment making the stuff as i do shooting it, well almost as much fun. I got the last felt on ebay.