Ken Light annealing machine

[killahog]

I'm pleased at the resposes and I appreciate the different ideas. I purchased a ken light from another member with Now I just need to order some of the liquid tempilate .

 

[DHD]

McMaster/Carr. Get a bottle of thinner as the Tempilac sure does dry out quick.

No doubt you will be happy with the Ken Light machine.

I bought about 5 cans of gas at Home Despot and found out that I have about a lifetime supply now. The gas sure goes a long way. The propane they sell at Walmart for camping works OK too.

Instead of learning on Lapua brass, I used Federal and just chunked it afterwards.

My $.02 and all that.....

 

[gary0529]

A tip for those of us who use any of the propane annealing systems.
Instead of buying replacement propane bottles, you can buy a transfer valve and fill your small bottle from your larger LP tank from either your barbecue tank or as in my case, the 50# bottle I use to run the "torpedo" heater in my workshop.
Think I picked up the valve at a Tractor Supply store for 12 or 14 dollars and have used it scores of times to refill the little ones.

Gary

 

[Scott Harris]

A tip for those of us who use any of the propane annealing systems.
Instead of buying replacement propane bottles, you can buy a transfer valve and fill your small bottle from your larger LP tank from either your barbecue tank or as in my case, the 50# bottle I use to run the "torpedo" heater in my workshop.
Think I picked up the valve at a Tractor Supply store for 12 or 14 dollars and have used it scores of times to refill the little ones.

Gary

Great tip for the frugal among us....probably all the shooters.

 

[kelbro]

A tip for those of us who use any of the propane annealing systems.
Instead of buying replacement propane bottles, you can buy a transfer valve and fill your small bottle from your larger LP tank from either your barbecue tank or as in my case, the 50# bottle I use to run the "torpedo" heater in my workshop.
Think I picked up the valve at a Tractor Supply store for 12 or 14 dollars and have used it scores of times to refill the little ones.

Gary

Great tip for the frugal among us....probably all the shooters.

Put the little bottle in the freezer for a couple of hours before recharging and it will take a lot more propane.

 

[flatlander]

I bought a valve, extra hose, and connectors and plumbed the two torches for my Ken Light machine to connect to a 25lb grill bottle. Dunno how many thousands of cases could be annealed before I run this sucker empty...

 

[killahog]

At first glance steve I was thinking why diden't he just use the set screws ,until I noticed the allen wrench sitting there. I am assuming you are just using the blocks for a quick set up and then locking the set screws down . Thats a good idea.

 

[Steve Blair]

At first glance steve I was thinking why diden't he just use the set screws ,until I noticed the allen wrench sitting there. I am assuming you are just using the blocks for a quick set up and then locking the set screws down . Thats a good idea.

That's it. I am just too lazy to fiddle with it each time.

 

[killahog]

Steve consistancy in reloading is the key to sucess I have just started using my Ken light I am going to make some of those fancy height setters for my self. Now I have a question about the process, The first 50 rounds I annelled really dident discolor much, the room was completly dark with only the light from the torch and the necks did not seem to start to glow or change color, I really can't feel a difference in the softness of the neck when sqeezing with pliers. Should I run them thru again with a little more heat?

 

[Steve Blair]

The chart below is true for all metals. After a bit of testing with Tempilaq, I now set up the torches to just produce, in full darkness, a dull red in the neck when passing through the second flame. That runs it to about 800° F for a couple seconds. The red that is produced at that temperature is not glowing, just showing the color. I use 750° and 800° Tempilaq to determine the right color and recommend using it until you are comfortable with the torches and color.

Metal Temperatures
Color °F °C
Red heat, visible in darkness 752 400
Red heat, visible in twilight 885 474
Red heat, visible in daylight 975 525
Red heat, visible in sunlight 1077 581
Dark red 1292 700
Dull cherry-red 1472 800
Cherry-red 1652 900
Bright cherry-red 1832 1000
Orange-red 2012 1100

 

[Forester]

I have had the Bench Source machine for almost a year now and done probably 2000 cases so far. .204Ruger, .308Win, 7mmRem Mag, 7-300WSM, 243WSSM, 6BR, 270Win...you can switch between one case and another in 5 minutes. I could not be any more pleased with the unit.

It has led to more consistent velocities and better groups,it is so quick to do I just anneal after every firing now.

 

[243Mendoza]

I have had the Bench Source machine for almost a year now and done probably 2000 cases so far. .204Ruger, .308Win, 7mmRem Mag, 7-300WSM, 243WSSM, 6BR, 270Win...you can switch between one case and another in 5 minutes. I could not be any more pleased with the unit.

It has led to more consistent velocities and better groups,it is so quick to do I just anneal after every firing now.

What is the price of a Bench Source annealer?

 

[Forester]

I have had the Bench Source machine for almost a year now and done probably 2000 cases so far. .204Ruger, .308Win, 7mmRem Mag, 7-300WSM, 243WSSM, 6BR, 270Win...you can switch between one case and another in 5 minutes. I could not be any more pleased with the unit.

It has led to more consistent velocities and better groups,it is so quick to do I just anneal after every firing now.

What is the price of a Bench Source annealer?

I think I paid about $425 but I really don't remember.

Click here and request a current price quote:
http://www.bench-source.com/id70.html