School me on case annealers

[shockman]

Okay! while we are on the topic of annealing? I have a benchsource and been playing with it for a few weeks. Here's my delema! I am not confident enough with the results yet to use the brass for comp. and don't want to use barrel life to prove effect. I originally set up with newer style torches that are hotter than your typical needle type soldering torche, I was melting templaq in under 2 secs? so all reading I did talked about 4-6secs?? So I got different torches and now can slow the process down, but really am not confident that proper annealing is happening. Everyone I talk to has a different method, but other than a warm and fuzzy feeling they cannot prove a proper annealing? So being the ever pessimist, I started to research hardness testers, and found that Webster makes a very appropriate plier style tester for brass. It is about $900 and would need a modified anvil to fit inside a case neck which they can do. So I'm wondering WHY has no one, especially the makers of these machines not taken this approach to know exactly when case is same as new one?? is this not the goal? :-\

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

Assuming all these commercial machines use the same propane out of a bottle which is the same thing you do with a Dewalt how does a machine do it more proper.We have done close to 15k now by hand and I bet no machine can do it better.John Barsness does it by hand with a candle.LOL. Annealing and SSM are the voodoo of reloading.

No offense, but I think it's safe to assume that removing all of the variables like distance from flame, speed of rotation, and length of time in the flame would make virtually any machine "better" than the method you use. That doesn't mean that your method doesn't work, but there's no way it will be as consistent as a good machine.

He probably does not use any scale for measuring powder; he just eyeballs the powder and when the amount looks good to him, he just puts it in the case. This saves a lot of time and he doesn't have to buy expensive tools like a scale or (gasp) an automated powder dispenser.

 

[JamesnTN]

Assuming all these commercial machines use the same propane out of a bottle which is the same thing you do with a Dewalt how does a machine do it more proper.We have done close to 15k now by hand and I bet no machine can do it better.John Barsness does it by hand with a candle.LOL. Annealing and SSM are the voodoo of reloading.

No offense, but I think it's safe to assume that removing all of the variables like distance from flame, speed of rotation, and length of time in the flame would make virtually any machine "better" than the method you use. That doesn't mean that your method doesn't work, but there's no way it will be as consistent as a good machine.

He probably does not use any scale for measuring powder; he just eyeballs the powder and when the amount looks good to him, he just puts it in the case. This saves a lot of time and he doesn't have to buy expensive tools like a scale or (gasp) an automated powder dispenser.

Well you almost named me on that one. I've learned oh to use the good ole household measuring spoons for what I load for. I just scoop them in and scrape them flush with a Popsicle stick and pour into my cases. No fancy scales no fancy powder measures just simple ole cook ware utensils. If a scoop isn't enough then use the Popsicle stick to pack it down a bit before wiping the excess off.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

Which brand popsicle do you recommend? Does the flavor make a difference to the stick? I'm guessing one needs to stay away from chocolate coated stuff.

How many licks do you allow on the stick? Do you have to trash the stick if you bite it?

 

[Rustystud]

I bought a Bench Source annealer three years ago and two torches from Ace hardware. I bought a case of propane bottles (6). I still have two untapped bottles and have annealed several thousand cases. I thought about making or buying another brand but I did not and now I am still very happy with the Bench Source machine.
Nat Lambeth

 

[XTR]

I am not confident enough with the results yet to use the brass for comp. and don't want to use barrel life to prove effect.

You're kind of beat.

Do you see anyone selling precision improvement devices testing and proving? Neck turners, annealers, pocket uniformers, flash hole reamers, case trimmers, bullet pointers and what have you. Nobody shows any proof anywhere, it's up to you.

Personally if I were not working, with unlimited resources.... no hell I wouldn't, I'd be somewhere on a sailboat and the only shooting I'd be doing would be rum.

 

[JamesnTN]

Well after much thought and research I decided to go with the bench source annealer. It just seemed for the money and my use it was my best option. The Ken Light was a close second but I just like the fact of no plates to buy and the ability to fine tune the bench source. Thanks all for your input and help.

 

[DeltaBravo]

James,

Mine got here today! Will finish setting it up tomorrow and anneal some brass for the Sunday competition at Austin Rifle Club. It's a nice, well made unit, and it appears to be easy to set up and adjust (took 4 tries to get the wheel just right so the case rotated cleanly - about 1 minute).

Dennis

 

[Dgd6mm]

I know this is an ignorant question, but I have to ask, where do I go to purchase a Benchsource annealer? I know I can search, but just had to ask. After reading this thread I've been sold on the B.S.

Thanks,
Don Dunlap

 

[madmixerman]

Dgd6mm, I bought mine right from the factory. http://bench-source.com/id81.html

 

[22turborimfire]

Got my manchine up and running .Very pleased anneled 50 cases before I realized .I took the route of plumbing lines with a T to a gas grill tank

 

[DeltaBravo]

Graf's also has them; that's where I got mine.

Dennis

 

[Varminator]

Assuming all these commercial machines use the same propane out of a bottle which is the same thing you do with a Dewalt how does a machine do it more proper.We have done close to 15k now by hand and I bet no machine can do it better.John Barsness does it by hand with a candle.LOL. Annealing and SSM are the voodoo of reloading.

No offense, but I think it's safe to assume that removing all of the variables like distance from flame, speed of rotation, and length of time in the flame would make virtually any machine "better" than the method you use. That doesn't mean that your method doesn't work, but there's no way it will be as consistent as a good machine.

He probably does not use any scale for measuring powder; he just eyeballs the powder and when the amount looks good to him, he just puts it in the case. This saves a lot of time and he doesn't have to buy expensive tools like a scale or (gasp) an automated powder dispenser.

Well you almost named me on that one. I've learned oh to use the good ole household measuring spoons for what I load for. I just scoop them in and scrape them flush with a Popsicle stick and pour into my cases. No fancy scales no fancy powder measures just simple ole cook ware utensils. If a scoop isn't enough then use the Popsicle stick to pack it down a bit before wiping the excess off.

James,
Coffee spray moment. I'm still using the scale you set me up with and the Bench gun I bought from you still shoots the lights out. I mostly shoot my other guns but every now and then shoot the 22Dasher barrel. Hope all is going good for you.
Mark

 

[hpshooter]

Giraud had an induction annealer at his booth on commercial row at Camp Perry last week. Looked very nice.

T W Hudson