Giraud Annealer

[Buck 89]

Has any one used a Giraud Annealer?

 

[bpd459]

Greetings,
I have a Giraud annealer and love it. I have done just over 30,000 cases with it, from .223 to .338 Edge, and just about everything in between. The hopper is a great system, I am still within arms reach when the machine is in operation. The torch adjustment would benefit from a finer adjustment system. It is an awesome machine. My wife refer's to it as my "baby sitter".
Good luck,
John

 

[Mudcat]

Got one and about to hook up a 20 pound propane tank to mine. Doing so much brass that the little 1 pound cans dont last enough!

 

[flatlander]

Bought one from Doug about a year ago - love it. Just finished annealing all the 284 brass that I'd accumulated over the past six years - with a 20lb LP tank plumbed to run it, that little project went very smoothly. It's simple to set up, easy to change from one cartridge to the next, and does a fine job.

 

[lightman]

I have had one for awhile, and its a great machine. I also stay close to it, just because, but you can set it up and do other things. I will get a hose made to use a bulk tank, because I always have one around, not so with the 1# cans. The torch could have a finer adjustment but a better one can be had for about $12-13. The torch holds it adjustment, once set, so not a big deal, either way. You will be happy with it, and Doug is a great guy. Lightman

 

[hoverp]

I have had one for awhile, and its a great machine. I also stay close to it, just because, but you can set it up and do other things. I will get a hose made to use a bulk tank, because I always have one around, not so with the 1# cans. The torch could have a finer adjustment but a better one can be had for about $12-13. The torch holds it adjustment, once set, so not a big deal, either way. You will be happy with it, and Doug is a great guy. Lightman

Lightman, I have the Giraud as well, been looking for a better controlled flame ....what did you get?

 

[FroggyOne2]

My only complaint about it is the valve that controls the gas from the tank to the flame.. it needs to be better in the ability to adjust for the flame.. outside of that.. I like my very much.

 

[Leaddog]

How many rounds are you folks running that the small tanks aren't large enough?

I run two small fat-boys to a Benchsource weekly for months and months and there is no indication they are getting low. Seems like a 20 pounder will last you the rest of your life.

I keep my torch nozzles set and adjust my flames on the small tanks. A fast and easy set up each time.

 

[Mudcat]

Just started using my 20lb tank on the Giruad this weekend and its a vast improvement over the 1 pound cans. I annealed over 2,000 cases this weekend and they are much more uniform than before when I used the 1 pounders. Not sure how much propane I used, but tank is still pretty darn heavy. Also noticed the flame is MUCH hotter with the big tank and only needed about 7 seconds, give or take, for 308 and 6xc brass. Nothing like loading up that hopper and letting the machine do the work.

 

[FroggyOne2]

John,

Thanks for posting that.

Randy

 

[hoverp]

Just started using my 20lb tank on the Giruad this weekend and its a vast improvement over the 1 pound cans. I annealed over 2,000 cases this weekend and they are much more uniform than before when I used the 1 pounders. Not sure how much propane I used, but tank is still pretty darn heavy. Also noticed the flame is MUCH hotter with the big tank and only needed about 7 seconds, give or take, for 308 and 6xc brass. Nothing like loading up that hopper and letting the machine do the work.

Mudcat, is it that the flame meters more uniform?

Have you done any alterations to the valve yet?

 

[flatlander]

I've wondered about putting a regulator on the 20lb tank to see if it made any difference, but haven't had any issues with the flame changing length with it just plumbed direct, so???

I got tired of not being able to make fine adjustments using the valve that Doug supplies with the annealer; finally just got a wrench and loosened the packing nut under the valve knob just a bit. Only took a very slight amount to allow the knob to turn without all the backlash - don't go too far, or you may get a leak there. That did it for me - I can now make fine flame adjustments.

 

[hoverp]

I've wondered about putting a regulator on the 20lb tank to see if it made any difference, but haven't had any issues with the flame changing length with it just plumbed direct, so???

I got tired of not being able to make fine adjustments using the valve that Doug supplies with the annealer; finally just got a wrench and loosened the packing nut under the valve knob just a bit. Only took a very slight amount to allow the knob to turn without all the backlash - don't go too far, or you may get a leak there. That did it for me - I can now make fine flame adjustments.

Nice, thanks Ill try it.

 

[lightman]

MT,google "Bernzomatic". I think the UL-100 is a kit with the pencil flame and I think the torch body is a #2317. I found the torch body at Home Depot in the welding section of the tool department.It was around $12-14.
Charlie,the 1# cans last a long time, but I do not have a round count.Its just that I don't always have a full 1# can around, but between my grill, fish cooker and the burner for my lead smelting operation, I usually have a 20 or 30 pounder with gas in it. I anneal in the garage or shop, so I have plenty of room for the bigger tank.

 

[Buck 89]

Has anybody used Giraud annealer on 6BR cases? I understand that it does not do very well on them.

 

[Leaddog]

I know you asked about the Giraud, but I can tell you that my Benchsource does a perfect job with 6BR and 6 Dasher brass. If you are shopping for an annealer, look at them all. Ask those that use them.

 

[Killshot]

I'll second Charlie's comment about the Bench-Source being an excellent annealer.

I've not used the Giraud but the single torch and its limited ability to change angles, coupled with the weird (to me) manner in which the cases are rotated, would seem to make annealing the short BR cases difficult at best.

 

[hoverp]

Thank you.

 

[flatlander]

I've used my Giraud on 6 Dasher brass, and had fine results. You just need to go in on the rail with the torch tip so that it points slightly outward, or away from the machine, instead of leaving it farther out on the rail and pointing it in to do the short BR or Dasher cases.

The shortest case I load for is the 20 VarTarg; I kinda doubt the Giraud will work with it, but haven't tried it yet. I'm pretty sure it'll work with 6 RAT brass, since it's approx. the same length as the Dasher.