Best Annealer ?

[savagedasher]

Who makes the Best and Why? Larry

 

[ShootDots]

I was in your position for quite some time. I wanted the BEST annealer and did my homework. I settled on a BenchSource... It is awesome. Fast, anneals evenly and is VERY well made. I just got it a week ago and I have been having "fun" annealing the dog out of my brass..

 

[DeltaBravo]

+1 on the Bench Source. I've upgraded mine to a 20lb tank with hoses; makes it SO much easier to set up instead of trying to mount those little tanks to the torch heads.

I did about 200 6BR the other day, and total time from bringing in the tank from the patio to taking it back, was about half an hour or so. It will also anneal all case sizes without needing a new plate for each "family".

HTH

Dennis

 

[TimP]

I was in your position for quite some time. I wanted the BEST annealer and did my homework. I settled on a BenchSource... It is awesome. Fast, anneals evenly and is VERY well made. I just got it a week ago and I have been having "fun" annealing the dog out of my brass..

That about sums it up... I have had mine since they first came out and couldn't be happier with it.

 

[rmist]

Plus the little fat bottles will last almost 9000-10000 rounds according to the maker !! Awesome machine !! Bench Source

 

[michaelnel]

I have one too and agree with what everyone else has said. I have never regretted buying it, it's a fine piece of equipment. Even the shipping packaging is outstanding. Great product from nice folks.

 

[ridgeway]

Honestly, I don't think there is a "best" annealing machine. All three, Giraud, Benchsource and Ballistic Edge, are equally as good as the other. Even the old socket and torch works. Just go with one that fits your budget and will work on your bench. I have a benchsource and went with it because of the compact footprint. If I did thousands of cases at once, Giraurd would be a wiser choice.

 

[Greyman]

I checked out Bench sources website I guess I have to email them to get a price?

 

[ShootDots]

I checked out Bench sources website I guess I have to email them to get a price?

I just bought mine from John Hoover on this site for 520.00 delivered! He still has some in stock..

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Larry, I have the Bench Source as well and if I were in the market again I would still buy it. Graf's has them at discount if your a dealer.

 

[mshelton]

Bench Source owner here also, if I had to do it over again I'd still buy a Bench Source, from the quality, ease of adjustment and the numerous conversations I had with them, I couldn't be happier.

 

[savagedasher]

Thanks guys Got one on the way. Larry

 

[mslman]

If you get the BenchSource, go to Walmart and get the hoses. Go to Home Depot/Lowes and get the Y fitting. I tried the T fitting at Wallyworld and it reduces the gas pressure too much. Had it over a year and have yet to have to refill the half-empty bottle I hooked it up to. Once you get the setting right, write the time down with your brass info. Start there every time.

 

[john1c]

Can you take a picture for us to see what the setup looks like? Would be nice to not have to set up the two bottles every time I want to anneal.

If you get the BenchSource, go to Walmart and get the hoses. Go to Home Depot/Lowes and get the Y fitting. I tried the T fitting at Wallyworld and it reduces the gas pressure too much. Had it over a year and have yet to have to refill the half-empty bottle I hooked it up to. Once you get the setting right, write the time down with your brass info. Start there every time.

 

[savagedasher]

I have the Ken Light which works great. I will have the bench source to compare . Thanks
Larry

 

[michaelnel]

I have considered the Y fitting / 2 hose / big tank setup, but decided not to do it.

My current setup with the Benchsource using just two small propane cylinders takes me about five minutes from the time I decide I want to anneal to the time I am actually annealing. Awful easy, and the thing uses so little propane that I can't see going to the big tank setup. I don't see the benefit of the more complicated and way more expensive setup.

 

[Rustystud]

I have a Bench Source Annealer and installed two 16oz torches purchased at Ace Hardware. I have had it for 3 or four years. Annealed thousands of cases. The 16oz bottles will burn for approximately 2 hours. Rarely do I run the annealer for more that 20 minutes at a time. Over the last 3 years I think I have replaced the tanks 3 times. The longest dwell time I use is about 4.5 seconds. I felt that I did not need to go to the expense of converting my torches to operate of a 20lb cylinder. The torches that I use produce a pinpoint flame at about 1/8 (turn) throttle.
The torches I have seen on other machines are less fuel efficient to produce the same heat. I focus one flame on the neck and the other on the shoulder.
Dave makes a great machine.
Nat Lambeth

 

[mshelton]

Going to be a dumb question but can you use that Y fitting and hose setup with one of the smaller tanks?

Just thinking it would help save storage space for me and time adjusting the individual torch settings.

 

[DeltaBravo]

Sure can; I would have gone with a 5 pounder if it wasn't over twice the price of a 20 pounder!! Both/all have the same fitting on the tank.

Dennis

 

[jnyfeler]

I have the Ken Light which works great. I will have the bench source to compare . Thanks

I have the Ken Light BC 1000 annealer, too. I'm very happy with it.

http://www.kenlightmfg.com/products.html

Jeff