Any Annealeez reviews?

[TerryH]

It just amazes me that neither the Annealeeze, MRB, or Giraud has not updated their units with that little digital PWM. Another $5 more than the current PWM's they use and a half hour labor. They could market it as a deluxe model and charge $25 - $50 more than the base model.

Exactly. They should be standard issue on all these type machines.

 

[fatelvis]

I believe he just stuck with the original one.

 

[JimSC]

yep, it plugs right into the PWM. I think the original has a bit better resolution. I tried both and to me the control seemed to be a bit smoother with the original. The new pot would slide right in though, the toggle swithes hole is about 1/16th to small.

While it is possible to even retain the original toggle I think double throwing to start and again to stop would get old really fast. I did not have access to a punch or a drill bit large enough so I dremel'ed and filed out the hole for the momentary contact

 

[DngBat7]

I have had mine for about a year and annealed around 1500 cases with it.
The Good

• the price
• the simplicity
• with simple mod the timing can get pretty precise

The Bad

• workmanship could be better
• as delivered no way to get repeatability
• case will not spin as evenly as I would like unless wheels are kept aligned and clean. I modded the lower to give it more traction

the good thing is most of the bad can be fixed pretty easily and cheaply with minimum tools

When I got my Anealeeze I addressed each of the issues as best I could.

1. took a dremel and ground the spot welds on the feed ramps down. You need a Dremel with a grinding tip and a steady hand along with some gray paint to repaint
2. installed the following digital readout PWM https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016FHHGSU/?tag=accuratescom-20. You have to drill/grind out the hole with the toggle switch to install the momentary contact button and cut a window for the digital readout.Once installed though you can always repeat the the timing of the anneal
3. when the blue tape on the lower wheel started looking raggy I noticed the cases were not spinning as smoothly as I would have liked to see. I replaced it with some non skid meant for stair treads and purchased at the local home store for less than $5

Also the sheet metal could be a bit sturdier where the shafts come through,and the wheels can be knocked out of proper alignment. Good thing is they can be bent back in alignment. that's only a concern if you are careless like I was.

I also added a few knobs for torch adjustment. Not really necessary and never used. I tighten them to where they are hard to move and with my hand. I also tried several torches from a small butane to a "turbo". The stock plumbers pencil torch provided with the Anealeeze is the best option. The butane not enough heat and the turbo was too much and too large. The cases in the plastic tub are what I use to get the flame adjusted and aimed. I also recommend letting the unit "run" for 5 minutes to let the torch heat up and the flame to stabilize. When the tank is low or the weather cold I also check the flame about every 5 minutes for consistency. Ditch the little pan they send with it also, an old shop towel works better and does the job quietly

I would purchase again. My unit in operation when it was fairly new. I had not smoothed out those rough welds in the case feed tray when that pic was taken

edit - those are not seconds on the readout. I have never timed to see how long they are but the effect seems to be linear. That is a one time thing thoughjust to get the right number. I found the original numbers for my various cases by using 700 F templaq and a stopwatch. Once the Templaq melted I added 4 secs to the stopwatch and set the timer from case drop in to case drop out by trial and error using sacrificial cases. I think ended up around 10 or 11 seconds from drop in to drop out for .308 but don't quote me on that. Always test the unit with templaq and your finger on the stopwatch to be safe

Thanks again for your awesome review and suggestions. I purchased the annealezz unit, and orders the digital readout from amazon. I may tap your shoulder to hook it up if that’s ok?

 

[JimSC]

Thanks again for your awesome review and suggestions. I purchased the annealezz unit, and orders the digital readout from amazon. I may tap your shoulder to hook it up if that’s ok?

of course

 

[1holeaddict]

Here’s a good video on exactly how to install the meter:

Great video. this should be a standard on these units..

 

[gbahny]

i am looking for a good, but low budget annealer. The annealezz I find very interesting and at a good price point for an automated annealer. Looking for any reviews/opinions if anybody has one.

Thanks

Received mine, no instructions included, videos say refer to instructions, have contacted company several times with no response. Extremely poor support. I would not recommend.

 

[gbahny]

I've had mine for almost a year now and I'm very happy with my purchase. I have annealed probably close to 3000 cases of mine and buddies and only one issue which was on one of the coated wheels the coating came off. Email was sent and within 5 minutes Jeff emailed back and told me what the coating was so I simply re coated it. That simple. I would not hesitate a bit to purchase again.

If possible, could u scan and email me the instructions on the controller. Received mine and no instructions, video states to refer to great instructions. I have contacted company many times and absolutely NO respond. Frustrated. Any help appreciated. Thanks.

 

[SSeal]

The first thing that jumped out at me was that the number setting on the readout becomes arbitrary if one of the wheels were to get loose and end up tightened back up in a slightly different position. My cure for this was to make a witness mark on the wheels by which I can realign them. Other than that I am very pleased with mine.

 

[Wingnut00]

If possible, could u scan and email me the instructions on the controller. Received mine and no instructions, video states to refer to great instructions. I have contacted company many times and absolutely NO respond. Frustrated. Any help appreciated. Thanks.

I apologize I cannot help you. I sold my annealeez and upgraded to a bench source machine.

 

[divingin]

The first thing that jumped out at me was that the number setting on the readout becomes arbitrary if one of the wheels were to get loose and end up tightened back up in a slightly different position. My cure for this was to make a witness mark on the wheels by which I can realign them. Other than that I am very pleased with mine.

That shouldn't make a difference. The readout essentially relates to motor speed (actually, I think it's input voltage to the motor, but the effect is the same in theory.)

The dwell time is a function of the rpm of the wheel, not the position. In other words, if the wheel spins at a given rpm, it takes x time for the notch to come back around. Move the notch, and the dwell time doesn't change.

 

[rijndael]

The dwell time is a function of the rpm of the wheel, not the position.

If the top wheel drops the case on to the bottom wheel when the bottom wheel's notch is 1/2 way through a rotation, then it will be in the flame half as long.

 

[divingin]

If the top wheel drops the case on to the bottom wheel when the bottom wheel's notch is 1/2 way through a rotation, then it will be in the flame half as long.

Ah. You are correct. Sorry about that.

I generally set mine so the drop is right on top of (or as close as I can get it) the notch in the lower wheel without the case falling in.

 

[SSeal]

Yes it's all about the timing of the drop.

 

[rockrat]

Mine worked great for about 1000 pieces of brass and then had trouble with the torch head. Flame kept getting smaller. Disconnected feed line and an oil came out of the line. Guess it clogged up the torch head. May have been from the propane tank or ??. Have had to buy a new torch and will see what happens. Mine has the digital display. Plan on adding an on/off switch to the unit.

edit---put on the new torch assembly this morning and it worked like a champ!!

 

[divingin]

Rockrat; Mine has that problem quite a bit. Enough so that I bought a second hose and head assembly (standard BernzOMatic assembly.) I've found that when that happens, unscrewing the end shroud and giving it a decent flush with carb cleaner gets it working normally again (make sure you let it dry out before firing it up again.) I suspect there's some oil in the propane bottles from the manufacturing process.

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

I have one complaint. the wheels are made of some kind of plastic and will melt if not very careful. This will stick to the brass and is all but impossible to get off. I made new ones from aluminum bar stock.

 

[divingin]

I have one complaint. the wheels are made of some kind of plastic and will melt if not very careful. This will stick to the brass and is all but impossible to get off. I made new ones from aluminum bar stock.

I think they're nylon (I seem to recall Nylon1, but I'm not up on the various polymers.) I only melted the surface of a couple of them.

I had a friend turn some up for me (since getting them from Annealeez can be a PITA); never thought about going with aluminum.

 

[rockrat]

Did you knurl the aluminum wheels or just put something on the outer circumference?

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

knurl