• This Forum is for adults 18 years of age or over. By continuing to use this Forum you are confirming that you are 18 or older. No content shall be viewed by any person under 18 in California.

Precision propane regulator?

So I was thinking last night (which is always bad news) about annealing. I decided early on that I wouldn't, as I would likely want the very best, and the very best (from my surface level research that'd be the AMP), is way too expensive for my means at this time.

Enter "cheap" propane solutions. Again, my low-level research seems to indicate that the "issue" (if it is genuinely one), is perceived inconsistencies caused by the torch. And as I was sitting on the porch, it was obvious: 10-15$ home center torches fueled by disposable 3$ bottles are not consistent as they just don't need to be. But what if there was a way to accurately and repeatedly deliver that gas, the same way every time.

So, is there a regulator in existence that could be adapted to work? Anyone has any experience in that field?
 
I use natural gas for my Annealeez. I piped it in from my natural gas line. I do HVAC for a living so the piping was easy, the conversion from LP to natural gas for the torch tip,,,,,, that is a bit of a PITA! Lol!
The other option is to use a large propane tank and either use a bottle heater or hair dryer to keep the tank warm as the propane boils off. I found that keeps the flame intensity consistent.
 
the variables....tank pressure/volume and flame tip length. Both of which are tough to keep the same on a flame annealer. My recommendation. Turn the lights down, watch for the orange starburst to come off the brass as the necks starts to turn orange. Maybe another half second. Done.
 
When I was using my Bench source annealer, I bought a propane regulator, the type that is used on cutting torches. I bought the longer hoses and adapters and hooked it up to a gas grill tank. it worked really well. I have since gone to an AMP though.
 
When I obtained my Giraud annealer this was part of the kit. This weekend however I cam not getting fuel parts the regulator for unknown reason. Put a non regulated line on the 20Lbs tank instead and ran it for a bit and it looked to be a consistent flame.
I am a fan of Tempilaque to affirm time in flame.
750degree in the neck and 450 on the body just to make sure when setting up a new brass. 7-8 seconds in general does a damn fine job.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_3621 (002).jpg
    IMG_3621 (002).jpg
    89.4 KB · Views: 31
"Again, my low-level research seems to indicate that the "issue" (if it is genuinely one), is perceived inconsistencies caused by the torch. " (Underline added). I think this is a good question.

Can anyone point to a study showing that a decent flame annealer, operated with reasonable skill, will produce inconsistencies in the case anneal that will show up on target?
 
I feel I have gotten rid of most of the flame variance on my propane setup by lighting the flame, waiting 8-10 minutes, and then making the final flame adjustment.
 
The propane regulator would be way to expensive for you not to just buy a commercially available brass annealing machine. I also don't believe that said regulator would really change the outcome. I work for a utility company and spec regs often.
 
Just steal the tank and regulator from your back yard grill. Don't
over think it.
So I was thinking last night (which is always bad news) about annealing. I decided early on that I wouldn't, as I would likely want the very best, and the very best (from my surface level research that'd be the AMP), is way too expensive for my means at this time.

Enter "cheap" propane solutions. Again, my low-level research seems to indicate that the "issue" (if it is genuinely one), is perceived inconsistencies caused by the torch. And as I was sitting on the porch, it was obvious: 10-15$ home center torches fueled by disposable 3$ bottles are not consistent as they just don't need to be. But what if there was a way to accurately and repeatedly deliver that gas, the same way every time.

So, is there a regulator in existence that could be adapted to work? Anyone has any experience in that field?
 
The regulator and hose were around $35 that I had photo posted of. This weekend I ran the hard line i picked up and let it run, ran a few test cases (rejects from use) and will likely be using the 20lbs tanks since i no longer have a gas grill.
In a dream world of unlimited funds I would get the AMP or the one in another thread been seen on this forum.

I do get to use a friend's AMP, it is the cat's AZzz that is for sure. But above my means.
 
I've never been able to decide if it is the propane or the nozzle/valve setups, get some bottles that are great, others that flame out every couple of min.
 
Back around 1985, a neighbor, who was a dentist, had a lab in the basement of his house. He had a 20# propane tank hooked up to a small oven. The tank had leaked all the propane out and when he went down to do some work one evening the house and him were blown to smitherenes. If you decide to use a big tank, only have it in the house when you are actively using it.
 
Or save your $, go to Anneal-rite.com, develop a std procedure, and incorporate a QC step such as measuring your bullet seating pressure with an Arbor press and guage. QC: If your cases seat within +/- 10% on the guage then you’re in pretty good shape. I heat cases more like 10 sec and stop a sec or two after 750F Tempilaq changes, and before I see any dull red glow in the dark. Seems to work fine with their std equipment, no regulator. I apply Tempilaq to 10% of cases and run a test case every so often.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_3704.png
    IMG_3704.png
    1.4 MB · Views: 30
"Again, my low-level research seems to indicate that the "issue" (if it is genuinely one), is perceived inconsistencies caused by the torch. " (Underline added). I think this is a good question.

Can anyone point to a study showing that a decent flame annealer, operated with reasonable skill, will produce inconsistencies in the case anneal that will show up on target?
Hi OP....I really think you're on the right track, I've been doing "extensive low level" research on this subject by reading every thread I could for 8-10 years. Several forums later, while doing so I continued to use the drill/socket method until an Annealeaze dropped in my lap for $100. MAN I love it. (thankyou AMP)
To anwser your question the best I can...I have never seen a legit nonbiased test to back up anything annealling related. There are actually several metallurgist and engineers on here and holy shit can they steer a thread to being a wall of text that will put you to sleep in 5 minutes, a lot of learning to be had though.
I think the regulator is a good idea, I still need to do this as well as setting up a second tank.
I focus on a couple things to tell me how my reloading process or brass prep is performing, First is the target, then bullet seating pressure, then ES/SD. I wouldn;t worry about anything more than just setting up properly and being consistent while using any annealer of your choice.
Larry
 
Last edited:

Upgrades & Donations

This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.


Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.

You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.


To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.

Forum statistics

Threads
166,280
Messages
2,215,486
Members
79,508
Latest member
Jsm4425
Back
Top