Fluxeon "Annie" Annealer Initial Review

[neonjohn]

Hello guys,

I'm John DeArmond, the engineer behind the Annie. Maybe I can answer some questions about the unit.

This is a true induction heater. IT heats the brass by causing a current to flow in the brass via transformer action. The current both flows in a circle under each pole and around the periphery of the brass. So there are two initial hotspots but the heat rapidly equalizes. Except for the largest cases such as the .50 BMG, rotation is not necessary.

bsumoba, thanks for the review. You covered a lot of good points. A couple more. Annie is thermally protected so it cannot be overheated. The setpoint is 50 deg C which is just about the point where touching the case becomes uncomfortable but not hot enough to cause a burn.

The ferrite material is essentially a glass so it will chip if abused and will crack of the temperature is suddenly changed. Under continuous use, the work coil and ferrite will rise to about 130 deg C before it equilibrates with the surrounding air. That is hot enough to be unpleasant to touch but both the ferrite and the work coil are OK at in that temperature range.

Depending on the ferrite gap and the caliber of the case being annealed, the work coil current is in the 90-100 amp range. The coil is sheathed with siliconized fiberglass sleeving to protect the coil from abrasions. This material is good for several hundred deg C so it is not affected by the heat in this application.

This is the same heating unit that Giraud is using in his automatic machine.

There are no current plans for a 240 volt unit.

We've discussed a water cooled work coil and flux concentrator. We went with air cooling to keep the cost down and because it's not really necessary in this application. We can easily enough do a water cooled work head. If interested, write to sales@fluxeon.com.

We welcome all feedback and comments. Again, send them to sales@fluxeon.com. You may write me with technical questions at jgd@fluxeon.com. I don't get around to forums very often so email is the best way to contact me.

Thanks guys,
John DeArmond
Chief Engineer
Fluxeon.com

 

[amamnn]

I was glad to see a couple of different sized ferrite cores with different gaps which is one thing I forgot to ask John when I TT him earlier this month. This tool looks like a winner once it gets a good track record with production units in the hands of consumers. I will be eager to hear how bsumoba's unit is doing in 300 or so days and at least 25 annealing sessions. I figure that will be when I am going to be looking to replace my II tool if things go like they have in the past................

 

[bsumoba]

I was glad to see a couple of different sized ferrite cores with different gaps which is one thing I forgot to ask John when I TT him earlier this month. This tool looks like a winner once it gets a good track record with production units in the hands of consumers. I will be eager to hear how bsumoba's unit is doing in 300 or so days and at least 25 annealing sessions. I figure that will be when I am going to be looking to replace my II tool if things go like they have in the past................

25 annealing sessions will only take 2-4 months

 

[Webster]

Annealing does not occur instantly when you hit 750F. It takes time at temperature. Do you notice less force to seat bullets?

 

[bsumoba]

Annealing does not occur instantly when you hit 750F. It takes time at temperature. Do you notice less force to seat bullets?

I understand that. It is somewhere around 2-3 seconds at 750-800 if I am not mistaken for most brass.

I do not notice less force. I notice more consistent seating force though.

 

[Webster]

I cannot believe I posted something without getting flamed!

 

[cba257]

bsumoba-

How is the Annie working out for you now that you have had it for awhile? How much have you used it since you posted this review? Thank-you for your time.

 

[CPorter]

Tried my new Annie out on 50 - 243 Win cases and 100 - 6x47L cases. First I tried a few pieces of older brass to find the proper time setting. I spread the ferrite out a bit more using two red coded haves. This allowed me to get the shoulder between the ferrite halves. Painting the shoulder and neck with tempilaq I noticed that the necks would get hot enough but the shoulders never did unless you increased the time enough to make the necks glow faint red in a dark room. This leads me to believe you may anneal a neck ok with the unit but trying to do the shoulders may be an issue.

The 750 degree tempilaq indicated 1.5 seconds on the unit (SN 130, SVN 102, Rev 2.3) On the 243 Win which was first the unit would run between 5-15 cases and then the unit would flash and the display would go to 307. I reset the unit holding in the set button for a few seconds or turned the unit off and on and reset as before. I finished all 50 pieces that way. The coil was barely warm and the cases of the Annie was cool. So far I haven't noticed much of a color change on the necks, none further down.

On the 6x47L cases the unit would flake out as before and flash 307 on the display. Also three times the unit stuck on heat and and didn't stop after 1.5 seconds overheating the cases. The coil heated up a bit more but never enough that I couldn't hold a finger on it. The case of the Annie stayed cool.

Based on my first try I don't think the unit is quite ready for everyone to use. I do like the control of the heat, it is much more precise the a torch with in limits. Bottle necks cases can get the necks annealed but it is going to take some experimentation if you want to anneal shoulders without ruining the necks.

NeonJohn, Does the Annie use a single frequency RF sine wave?


I need to try either the K&N or 21st Century arbor presses to test seating force. Maybe also see what force in necessary to deflect the neck .002" out of round and see if it springs back completely. That will confirm the annealing.

 

[itchyTF]

Is 307 an error code? If so, what does it stand for?

 

[CPorter]

Not sure what the 307 means, if anything. I have another unit to test and have contact with Garett at Fluxeon.

 

[CPO Shooter]

I registered in this forum to input about Annie. I may have the first unit made, ordered the morning they became available.
Previously I used a torch annealer. My had very good experience with work place electric annealers. Since receiving Annie I have annealed over 200 30-06, over 200 7 Rem Mag, and over 600 204 Ruger. I agree with most all previous posting on use and performance. I love it. It is very precise and repeatable. Over 1000 cases and going strong.

 

[missed]

This sounds promising! I have a pile of parts in the shop to build one and the code written, but couldnt get around to finish it. I have wanted to build a fully automatic induction rig. Dump cases in and get annealed cases out....

 

[amlevin]

Dump cases in and get annealed cases out....

I have a "machine" somewhat like that. I put my cases in a box and when my talented grandson comes over he'll anneal a bunch of them for me. I only have to pay him with a large helping of freshly smoke-cooked brisket 8)

 

[chevi_guy]

After reading the review on here in Feb. I talked to Garett to have a look at the review and he responded.
I have since ordered one over a month ago and still don't have. I called them to check on my order and Garett told me they had been upgrading the unit and were also moving to Phoenix but would one send me
A unit asap. That was two weeks ago. Still waiting. Hope it comes soon. Anxious to give it a try.

Ben