Torch head question

[DLT]

I have been flame annealing for some time now. That I know of in my case I can’t tell any accuracy gains on paper from it but I can tell more consistent seating and wayyyyy less split necks. I have 2 heads I anneal with and both are kept cleaned out. 1 is an older head my dad give to me and the other is a newer Benz pencil flame head. I’d like to maybe shorten up the time in the flame if possible l, it just seems like neither torch are the rocket they once was. Which heads are you guys using with good results with ? I anneal 223, grendel, 22/250, and 6 creed. Not interested in salt pots or induction machines at this time. Thanks

 

[Shinbone]

Maybe try MAPP gas? It burns hotter than standard propane gas.

My experience: I started annealing using a single torch machine. I didn't like how long it took to anneal the larger magnum cases I tend to use, so I tried a couple of different torch heads (swirl vs pencil flame). I didn't notice much of a difference in anneal time as I switched from one head to another. I contemplated trying MAPP gas, but didn't like the big jump in price.

Still looking for improvement, I switched to a two torch annealer, and, as one might expect, the annealing process went much faster. Just saying if you want to see a significant improvement in annealing times, a simple torch head change probably won't get you much.

JMHO

https://photos.smugmug.com/2023/Reloading/i-9SLWJQd/0/3933af1b/1920/2023031606465432-4291237505415774645--1920.mp4

https://photos.smugmug.com/2023/Reloading/i-DZC5X9g/0/6caf0f9d/1920/IMG_1414-1920.mp4

 

[ricco1949]

This one works well...Mag-Torch brand also worked well..however Turbo-Torch just seemed to work better.....highly adjustable and consistent flame.


Tried four other torches hooked up to 20# tank and 0-30# regulator...all failed to light or run hot enough. All four worked on 1# bottles.

 

[ricco1949]

These four did not work on 20# tank with 0-30# regulator. All worked on 1# tank.

 

[Catfur]

it just seems like neither torch are the rocket they once was.

I suspect your problem may be weather related, not age-of-equipment related. Unless you are running off of a regulator, the pressure to your torches is dependent on only one variable, the temperature of your propane in the tank, and if it’s outdoors that’s gonna be the outside temp.

If you have a large, white grill-type tank, the composition of your “propane” will actually vary by where in the country and the season you bought it. Summer-in-Texas propane will have a lot more butane than winter-in-Montana propane, and thus, much lower pressure in cold weather. To my knowledge the small bottles you buy inside the store don’t have this issue.

 

[DLT]

I suspect your problem may be weather related, not age-of-equipment related. Unless you are running off of a regulator, the pressure to your torches is dependent on only one variable, the temperature of your propane in the tank, and if it’s outdoors that’s gonna be the outside temp.

If you have a large, white grill-type tank, the composition of your “propane” will actually vary by where in the country and the season you bought it. Summer-in-Texas propane will have a lot more butane than winter-in-Montana propane, and thus, much lower pressure in cold weather. To my knowledge the small bottles you buy inside the store don’t have this issue.

I wondered about that but I have been keeping my 1# cylinders inside the house at room temp

 

[Prose]

Get the bernzomatic TS8000. I bought a spare yesterday on amazon for 39 bucks they usually go for 55-65. There is no such thing as a more powerful propane torch and you can also use it for cooking and starting anything you want on fire. Made in America. Steer clear of the chinesium ones for a few bucks less. I own about 10 propane torches.

FWIW, I prefer to use two pencil torches with the flames intersecting.

 

[DLT]

Maybe try MAPP gas? It burns hotter than standard propane gas.

My experience: I started annealing using a single torch machine. I didn't like how long it took to anneal the larger magnum cases I tend to use, so I tried a couple of different torch heads (swirl vs pencil flame). I didn't notice much of a difference in anneal time as I switched from one head to another. I contemplated trying MAPP gas, but didn't like the big jump in price.

Still looking for improvement, I switched to a two torch annealer, and, as one might expect, the annealing process went much faster. Just saying if you want to see a significant improvement in annealing times, a simple torch head change probably won't get you much.

JMHO

https://photos.smugmug.com/2023/Reloading/i-9SLWJQd/0/3933af1b/1920/2023031606465432-4291237505415774645--1920.mp4

https://photos.smugmug.com/2023/Reloading/i-DZC5X9g/0/6caf0f9d/1920/IMG_1414-1920.mp4

I tried mapp gas. It was faster. I read some tales on here about not to use it so I only ran 5 pieces for a test run. Mapp could be a good answer. To me heat is heat and glowing a dull red is glowing dull red no matter how you get there

 

[jepp2]

FWIW, I prefer to use two pencil torches with the flames intersecting.

That is how I run mine. The torches I use (cheap Bernz-o-matic) are prone to pluggage. When that happens I found no way to clear it, and I get a new one.

 

[rwj]

That is how I run mine. The torches I use (cheap Bernz-o-matic) are prone to pluggage. When that happens I found no way to clear it, and I get a new one.

Get a set of these torch head reamers for $8.00 at your local Home Depot

 

[Prose]

That is how I run mine. The torches I use (cheap Bernz-o-matic) are prone to pluggage. When that happens I found no way to clear it, and I get a new one.

I don't have a fancy bottle holder. With the two tanks pushed together the flames intersect easily without turning them on high. Mine must have just a bit more bend and were only about 5 bucks each.

 

[ebb]

Would an ultrasonic cleaner make the torches work like new???

 

[jepp2]

Get a set of these torch head reamers for $8.00 at your local Home Depot

I've already got a set (previous life as a welder), the tip opening is much too small, but thanks for the idea.

 

[jepp2]

I don't have a fancy bottle holder.

Made from materials I had on hand already. Only thing I had to buy was the torches.

 

[Prose]

Would an ultrasonic cleaner make the torches work like new???

Slag is melted metal that probably won't be cleaned out.

 

[ebb]

Yea I get slag in my welding torches, didn't consider that it could happen with these.

 

[rwj]

I've already got a set (previous life as a welder), the tip opening is much too small, but thanks for the idea.

Yikes… I did not realize how small the hole is in a propane torch head until I read your reply which prompted me to visually inspected mine!

 

[Rset]

This one works well...Mag-Torch brand also worked well..however Turbo-Torch just seemed to work better.....highly adjustable and consistent flame.

View attachment 1516182
Tried four other torches hooked up to 20# tank and 0-30# regulator...all failed to light or run hot enough. All four worked on 1# bottles.

Turbo is the way to go. As good a flame pattern as it gets. Propane is all you will need, but if you really want to speed things up, MapPro is a hotter flame. If you want to really go fast, you could go with an acetylene / air torch, but you may melt a few cases before you get the speed dialed in LOL

 

[searcher]

I have been flame annealing for some time now. That I know of in my case I can’t tell any accuracy gains on paper from it but I can tell more consistent seating and wayyyyy less split necks. I have 2 heads I anneal with and both are kept cleaned out. 1 is an older head my dad give to me and the other is a newer Benz pencil flame head. I’d like to maybe shorten up the time in the flame if possible l, it just seems like neither torch are the rocket they once was. Which heads are you guys using with good results with ? I anneal 223, grendel, 22/250, and 6 creed. Not interested in salt pots or induction machines at this time. Thanks

While there are heads out there that can really put the heat to your brass more quickly - I'd be inclined to have the flame lower and the dwell on the brass longer - as you will tend to get much more consistent annealing. The hotter the torch, the more temperamental your settings will be - and more difficult to reproduce each time you anneal. Not what you asked for - but I tried to speed things up and the results ended up counterproductive for me. That was when using my Giraud.