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Salt Bath Annealing...Pros and Cons

Great write up. Got a few suggestions- if you do this outside- stop. If it even looks like a raindrop is coming in the next few hours, run. Always plug your pot in to an extension cord a long ways away so you can unplug it remotely in an emergency. This comes from experience with nitre bluing salts and lead both. I had lead sprayed 50’ away from my production pot one time. It held quite a few lbs and within minutes it was empty. One raindrop will really hurt you. Wear GOOD safety glasses rated z87 not your prescription glasses. Most tackle makers will be able to show you a bunch of holes in their skin. Its dangerous so be careful!!!
 
And with what Dusty said above, if you can afford the extra change, by an AMP and be done with it. Why take the risk, playing with 1000 degree liquids? Not my question. Actually came from another poster on this site. Sort of made me pause and say hmmmmmmm.
 
Ccrider said:
And with what Dusty said above, if you can afford the extra change, by an AMP and be done with it. Why take the risk, playing with 1000 degree liquids? Not my question. Actually came from another poster on this site. Sort of made me pause and say hmmmmmmm.
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It is safe(and simple),just have to use your head. Having and explosion go off next to your head is dangerous ,but that's part of shooting and we still do it .
 
Ccrider said:
And with what Dusty said above, if you can afford the extra change, by an AMP and be done with it. Why take the risk, playing with 1000 degree liquids? Not my question. Actually came from another poster on this site. Sort of made me pause and say hmmmmmmm.
Click to expand...
There are folks that shouldn't be allowed to use sharp fork and knives, but anyone with average common sense can safely do do salt bath annealing. I've never found it to be more dangerous than cooking dinner!
 
I found that bypassing the switch in the Lee pot when using a PID helps keep temps more consistant (it's also a bit quieter). Just remove the switch plate and swap a couple spade connectors.
Be sure to label the pot so you don't forget to use it with a PID.

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I use molten salt to heat treat knives and it's wonderful stuff if one pays extreme attention. Immersing even a moderately wet (with water) item can cause the whole pot of salt to hit the ceiling in a steam explosion. I have a friend who learned this the hard way heat treating and luckily escaped unscathed. Just remember that anything that goes in the post has to be completely void of any water (any. water.) because it will turn to violent steam instantly.

VooDoo
 
I’ve annealed 1000s of cases now using the salt bath method. I’ve experienced pretty much the exact same things that the original poster has. I’m using a PID controller which keeps the temperature + or - 2 degrees C from the target 500 degrees C. Bypassing the LEE melting pot bi-metallic thermostat makes the system function great but you can only do that when using an external temperature controller. It’s a great inexpensive system.
With all of that said, my gunsmith who is a benchrest hall of famer, said to me today either use the AMP system or don’t anneal. I was like “What?!” It seems like you can’t win at this game
 
After reading all the warnings about the hazards of very hot salt bath and the dangers of water accidently coming in contact with it, I can say that now after using this method for about 3 years, that water in a case is very much a non issue. I've inadvertently placed cases with water still inside in the hot bath, and beside a bit of a sizzle sound, NOTHING else happened. No sudden eruptions, no spattering, just a little phzzzzzzzzzz.

Check out the Leidenfrost Effect.
 
Just a side note on the color of brass after rinsing. If you use a small amount of LEMI shine added to the water you'll see a nice difference. I've tried both ways, without and with, and because of my local hard water I like with LEMI shine better. If your really after the ultimate clean, then run them through an SS pin wash. Just make sure that you check every case for pins inside after rinsing.
 
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Straightshooter1 said:
How well does Salt Bath Annealing work? Here some science . . .

www.ampannealing.com

Salt Bath Annealing - Does It Work? | Learn More | AMP

View the latest articles from AMP Annealing. Get tips and tricks from our R&D. Here we upload articles to provide your the best possible information on innovations in the annealing process.
www.ampannealing.com www.ampannealing.com
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Salt Bath Annealing must be cutting into Amp's market share! At the very least, this type of testing should be done by an unbiased second party. If AMP did this I would be more likely to believe the results.

Paul
 
boltfluter said:
Salt Bath Annealing must be cutting into Amp's market share! At the very least, this type of testing should be done by an unbiased second party. If AMP did this I would be more likely to believe the results.

Paul
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Agreed. If I really wanted to anneal more often and didn't have salt bath, I would consider the AMP and buying it with a family member to split the price
 
So I ended up salt bath annealing about 200 brass yesterday. Then I rinsed it off for a while.

Today I tumbled it in stainless steel media.

After taking the brass out, it no longer has that brass shine. It has more of a dull look it.

Does the salt bath take off some layer when washing the brass in it? Anyone else have this happen?
 
smoketheclay said:
So I ended up salt bath annealing about 200 brass yesterday. Then I rinsed it off for a while.

Today I tumbled it in stainless steel media.

After taking the brass out, it no longer has that brass shine. It has more of a dull look it.

Does the salt bath take off some layer when washing the brass in it? Anyone else have this happen?
Click to expand...
No.
 
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