annealers, how do they spin the cases?

[robbor]

I started making an annealer a while back. Made 2 heavyduty top plates. How do the annealers spin the cases and or anyone have pics? this is what i got so far,

 

[itchyTF]

I don't have one (YET), but from pictures it appears that in the bottom plate (where the case head rides) at the annealing location there is a turning disk. The upper plate holding the cases moves a case onto the rotating disk.

Hope you're not going to anneal with bullets seated!

 

[kombayotch]

No spinning disk needed. You make the case spin by making one side of the rim touch while the other doesn't. So, don't face your bottom plate flat, face it on an angle, then add some grip tape to it. If you look at my video of my linear CNC setup, you'll notice the case is spinning as it moves.

http://www.accurateshooter.com/forum/index.php/topic,3755054.0.html

I just milled a channel with a slight angle to it and roughed up the surface. When I built it, I wanted have the option of passing the cases through the flames like its done on the rotary units.

 

[amamnn]

If you use an induction annealer, no spinning is neccessary--also no worry about overheating due to the slow heat and cool cycle of the propane torches. Also no false annealing due to the surface effect of torches.

 

[kombayotch]

Those problems are easily eliminated using the Benz-O-Matic torches that have a regulator and the swirl flame. The surface affect can be dealt with by putting the Tempilaq on the inside of the case mouth when setting up the annealer.

Induction annealing is intriguing though. I've been meaning to build and induction heater for a while since the existing units are ridiculously overpriced for what they are.

 

[itchyTF]

kombayotch -

If I understand your concept, that wouldn't apply if the cases are stationary while being heated. Another mechanism would be needed to spin the case (rotating disk).
Some annealers do their job while the cases are moving into and out of the flame(s) while others index them into position and pause while being heated. I think my preference would be the latter. Or, an induction type.

 

[kombayotch]

I found that rotating the case wasn't necessary with my stationary setup, if you're hitting the neck with two flames form opposite directions. It could easily be added, but there isn't a need.

 

[BoydAllen]

A friend has and annealer that pauses the case in the flames. The flames are pointed at the center of the case necks, about 120 degrees apart, and the cases do not rotate. This seems to work just fine. The inner flame cones are about 3/4" from the necks, and the outer parts of the flames wrap around the necks and merge to form a tail on the opposite side. The color lines on on the case bodies seem to be even which would seem to indicate that heat distribution is adequate. I should also add that the design has no prevision for the wheel to act as a heat sink. It is quite thin, and of universal design. the driving side of the case holes are V shaped. Here is a link to a video showing the one that he has in operation.
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/2376614/precision_universal_case_annealer/
I believe that although is seems to work just fine, that it is no longer being made.

 

[Scott Harris]

I had the Ken Light, which rotates the case while it is moving. The base plate is angle with sandpaper so it catches one part of the case and rotates it while passing through two torch flames. I found this system a bear to adjust and always doubted how consistently things were being done.

Now, I use this puppy: http://annealingmachines.com/model_350
Hits the case with 3 evenly-spaced torches for a precise and consistent amount of time. Simple, repeatable, much easier to set up. 750 Liquid Tempilaq makes things MUCH easier regardless of your setup. Without a good machine, I'd probably toss my brass than deal with the headaches and inconsistencies.