BENCH SOURCE ANNEALING MACHINE

[madmixerman]

I got my hoses and splitter T in the camping section at local Walmart

 

[TimP]

I opted to go with a 4.5lb tank. Didn't really see the need for a 20lb tank. The 1lb bottles last a long time and work perfectly fine. As long as you remove the bottles and let them sit upright until you are ready to use them again. Do not leave them in their horizontal position attached to the machine. You will not get a consistent flame if you do. I got tired of removing them and decided to go to the 4.5lb tank. The larger tank will give you move pressure and a very consistent flame. Good luck with your new annealer you are going to love it!

 

[jlow]

Wow! I’ve actually never run across these 4.5 lb propane tanks. A quick search found that Lowe’s sells them for something like $52.97compared to $29.99 for the 20 lb tanks… Apart from being lighter which is not an advantage to me, I don’t really see any advantage for the almost double in price?

 

[DennisH]

I use a single torch with mine. I only use the small bottles, Benz O Matic 16oz I believe. I can anneal several hundred cases before running out. I also see Amazon sells a kit so you can refill these bottles from a 20lb bottle.

I read several post above stating they watch their brass in very low light conditions. When the tip of the brass starts to glow, stop there. That's the way I do it along with using Templac.

Dennis

 

[jlow]

I use a single torch with mine. I only use the small bottles, Benz O Matic 16oz I believe. I can anneal several hundred cases before running out. I also see Amazon sells a kit so you can refill these bottles from a 20lb bottle.

I read several post above stating they watch their brass in very low light conditions. When the tip of the brass starts to glow, stop there. That's the way I do it along with using Templac.

Dennis

I am curious, why use only a single torch? Seems like it would be easier to get a more consistent anneal using two torches?

One can indeed do several hundred cases with the 1 lb bottle, but if you run reasonable size batches i.e. close to a hundred, you will inevitably run into a situation where you will be running low at the middle or the end of a batch. Running low on gas means possibly lower gas pressure which in turn means a potential change in the flame strength and that can translate to a problem with consistent anneal.

 

[danny]

I suggest using Tempilaq, as well as using the annealer as much as possible. While it is not difficult to use, using it a lot eliminates a lot of trial and error in adjustment. You will start to understand how to set it up faster, better, and will have more experience in using it that is committed to memory.

Danny

 

[DennisH]

I am curious, why use only a single torch? Seems like it would be easier to get a more consistent anneal using two torches?

One can indeed do several hundred cases with the 1 lb bottle, but if you run reasonable size batches i.e. close to a hundred, you will inevitably run into a situation where you will be running low at the middle or the end of a batch. Running low on gas means possibly lower gas pressure which in turn means a potential change in the flame strength and that can translate to a problem with consistent anneal.

I usually anneal 175+ at a time. I also watch every single piece during the annealing process. Avg time is almost 4 seconds (308 brass). I know if I used 2 torches, this time would be reduced.

Before my BenchSource, I used a Cordless drill and case holder. I used one torch and never really had any issues. I know everyone is recommending 2 torches. I also put Tempilaq in 2 places, inside of the neck, and both sides turn clear. The instruction manual states it can be used with 1 or 2.

I know it's not a direct answer to your question, I have everything required to set up 2 torches. Having use the cordless drill method for a few years, I didn't have any issues, plus never gave it a second thought when setting up my BenchSource.

In fact, if I only have around 50 or so cases to anneal, I still use my cordless drill vs. setting up the BenchSource. The flame seems to wrap around the neck, and when you see the first hint of orange on your necks, it's usually will turn the complete neck orange in a fraction of a second. I can do 50 cases in less than 5 minutes with this method.

Most of my Brass (95%+) is Lapua. Again, I watch the process and make sure the consistency is there. I usually know if my bottle is low on gas before I hook it up. I have never had an issue.

It will be interesting to see the follow up responses. Someone may change my method.

Dennis

PS: I will probably go ahead and set up both torches to see the difference first hand.

 

[danny]

I usually anneal 175+ at a time. I also watch every single piece during the annealing process. Avg time is almost 4 seconds (308 brass). I know if I used 2 torches, this time would be reduced.

Before my BenchSource, I used a Cordless drill and case holder. I used one torch and never really had any issues. I know everyone is recommending 2 torches. I also put Tempilaq in 2 places, inside of the neck, and both sides turn clear. The instruction manual states it can be used with 1 or 2.

I know it's not a direct answer to your question, I have everything required to set up 2 torches. Having use the cordless drill method for a few years, I didn't have any issues, plus never gave it a second thought when setting up my BenchSource.

In fact, if I only have around 50 or so cases to anneal, I still use my cordless drill vs. setting up the BenchSource. The flame seems to wrap around the neck, and when you see the first hint of orange on your necks, it's usually will turn the complete neck orange in a fraction of a second. I can do 50 cases in less than 5 minutes with this method.

Most of my Brass (95%+) is Lapua. Again, I watch the process and make sure the consistency is there. I usually know if my bottle is low on gas before I hook it up. I have never had an issue.

It will be interesting to see the follow up responses. Someone may change my method.

Dennis

PS: I will probably go ahead and set up both torches to see the difference first hand.

I only use one torch on my Benchsource as well. After initially playing with setups involving two torches, run with no case, I noticed that two opposing or nearly opposing torches caused a flat, broad pancake shaped flame area that was probably as wide, or nearly as wide as the height of the case. Part of the trick in annealing brass is to keep the heat from traveling to the case head. I was not going to add to the risk by possibly exposing more of the case to heat/flame from a flame area that might be broad and wide. I want my flame concentrated in a narrow band on the neck and shoulder. I felt that this was best accomplished by a single torch setup.

Danny

 

[Bob L.]

I only use one torch on my Benchsource as well. After initially playing with setups involving two torches, run with no case, I noticed that two opposing or nearly opposing torches caused a flat, broad pancake shaped flame area that was probably as wide, or nearly as wide as the height of the case. Part of the trick in annealing brass is to keep the heat from traveling to the case head. I was not going to add to the risk by possibly exposing more of the case to heat/flame from a flame area that might be broad and wide. I want my flame concentrated in a narrow band on the neck and shoulder. I felt that this was best accomplished by a single torch setup.

Danny

I use two torches and put a strip of 450 deg. Tempilac down the outside of the case from shoulder to base. In my original setup using 750 deg. Tempilac on the inside of the case, I found when the 750 melted inside the neck, the 450 melted about 1/2 way down the case. I now set my torches and time using only the 450.

Bob

 

[jlow]

I only use one torch on my Benchsource as well. After initially playing with setups involving two torches, run with no case, I noticed that two opposing or nearly opposing torches caused a flat, broad pancake shaped flame area that was probably as wide, or nearly as wide as the height of the case. Part of the trick in annealing brass is to keep the heat from traveling to the case head. I was not going to add to the risk by possibly exposing more of the case to heat/flame from a flame area that might be broad and wide. I want my flame concentrated in a narrow band on the neck and shoulder. I felt that this was best accomplished by a single torch setup.

Danny

Unless you crazy over anneal your brass or point your torches at some parts of the case other than the neck and shoulder, you will NEVER anneal the head of the case.... This is not crazy bravado speaking, just experience from doing lots of anneal and testing with Tempilaq.

 

[Phil]

I use two torches and put a strip of 450 deg. Tempilac down the outside of the case from shoulder to base. In my original setup using 750 deg. Tempilac on the inside of the case, I found when the 750 melted inside the neck, the 450 melted about 1/2 way down the case. I now set my torches and time using only the 450.

Bob

Bob,

What cases were you annealing?

How big of a difference would there be doing this with a .308 vs 6BR / Dasher???

One having farther to go to reach half way than the other.....


Phil.

 

[DeltaBravo]

I've got my two torches set so that the inner pencil part of the flames just touch each other after adjustment of the flames. One is high on the neck, the other is at the neck/shoulder junction. I'm usually running about 3 seconds, plus or minus about 3 tenths, and get a dull orange glow in a dimly lit garage; I also get 20 or more reloads on the cases. A lot of the annealing time depends on the tank temperature/pressure. I anneal every other firing. I can anneal 100 cases in under 25 minutes from start to finish, which includes getting the tank from the patio to the garage and back.

You can't go wrong with the Bench Source - it's a fine piece of equipment.

Dennis

 

[Bob L.]

Bob,

What cases were you annealing?

How big of a difference would there be doing this with a .308 vs 6BR / Dasher???

One having farther to go to reach half way than the other.....


Phil.

I'm sorry. I anneal 6 BRX. I would imagine 6 br and 6 Dasher would be close. Friends of mine have used the same technique with 308 and have made only minor adjustments. Use old brass for set up.

 

[Phil]

Thanks Bob,

That's exactly what I was wondering.

Phil.

 

[jlow]

Keep in mind that regardless of what type of cases you are annealing, or how many torches you are using, the annealing time can be adjusted very significantly by flame "size" and how far the flames are from the cases, so you have a lot of options even if you are using two torches and small cases.

 

[Linko]

Found a simple way to connect the 2 torches to a 20 lb tank.

2 torch extension hoses from the depot.
1 coleman tee from wal mart
Bingo

 

[DennisH]

View attachment 977448 Found a simple way to connect the 2 torches to a 20 lb tank.

2 torch extension hoses from the depot.
1 coleman tee from wal mart
Bingo

Got em, just never hooked them up. One was doing fine for me.