Very small/short case annealing

[Nvreloader]

Question for you guys that anneal cases?

I have numerous small/short cases that I feel would benefit from annealing,
these cases are very short, the shortest case is just .600" long (made from Hornet brass) and several that are based on the 5x28mm brass, and several others based on standard length Hornet brass.

Is there an annealer that can be used, to anneal necks/shoulders on these small/short cases, Safely?

I am greatly interested in the Diy type annealers, that is just posted about below.

Tia,
Don

 

[shoot4fun]

I own a Bench-Source annealer but, when it comes to stuff like 17 Ackley Hornet, I let DJ's Brass Restoration handle the annealing.

 

[Nvreloader]

Well from the lack of responses,
it appears that there is no Diy case annealers for these very small cases.

Tia,
Don

 

[memilanuk]

Not exactly DIY, but less spendy than some other options:

http://annealeez.ddns.net/

It can be ordered with a wheel for short (BR/PPC, .300 Blackout) cases, or you can order the normal config and get the extra wheel separately.

 

[jlow]

First, I have no expertise annealing these super short cases but it seems the potential problem is it would be easy to anneal the head which as we know is something to be avoided.

So looking at it from that standpoint, it would seem like an easy solution is to build a small jig that would fit on the BenchSource wheel which can be clamped on. The jig would have a holder at each location for the case so that it will be centered on the flame when it is in position. The head of the case would be immersed in water which will prevent it from going above 100 degree C. Rests assure that this is effective as all copper pipe sweaters will attest to this from experience. You will have to play with the exact amount of water that will shield the head but yet allow the neck to attain annealing temperature.

The disadvantage of this system is the case will not be rotated and it will not drop free after it is done. My guess is with two burners, you will still get relatively good annealing and as for dropping free, you should be able to pick it off the jig after annealing with a pair of tweezers.

 

[Terry]

Question for you guys that anneal cases?

I have numerous small/short cases that I feel would benefit from annealing,
these cases are very short, the shortest case is just .600" long (made from Hornet brass) and several that are based on the 5x28mm brass, and several others based on standard length Hornet brass.

Is there an annealer that can be used, to anneal necks/shoulders on these small/short cases, Safely?

I am greatly interested in the Diy type annealers, that is just posted about below.

Tia,
Don

Call Ken Light, he may make/have a plate for his machine.

http://www.kenlightmfg.com/products.html

Phone# 1-800-790-3184

 

[Mozella]

Well from the lack of responses,
it appears that there is no Diy case annealers for these very small cases.

Tia,
Don

You could easily adapt a "Skip Design" DIY annealing machine to process your very short brass. It might just require a shim in the pan of the typical .223 unit, or it might require a special short pan. You'd have to experiment, but it could certainly be done.

My concern would be trying to heat one end of the brass hot enough to anneal it properly without over heating the other end and softening the case head.

 

[aloreman]

Go old school and put them in a cake pan full of water. Anneal with a propane torch

 

[NorCalMikie]

Or, put the short case on a shallow socket or deep socket filled with steel wool to have it sticking out of the socket just enough for a flame to get at.
Old school, works like a champ.

 

[jlow]

Call Ken Light, he may make/have a plate for his machine.

http://www.kenlightmfg.com/products.html

Phone# 1-800-790-3184

I think this is good advice. I looked at the Ken Light machine and it looks like their case holder is designed to hold water which is similar to my idea except it is already implemented.

 

[Terry]

The Aluminum plates draw the heat away from the case before it goes too far down.

 

[jlow]

The Aluminum plates draw the heat away from the case before it goes too far down.

That’s part of it since their plate is caliber specific, so tight fitting. However, they also specifically talk about adding water.

 

[Terry]

That’s part of it since their plate is caliber specific, so tight fitting. However, they also specifically talk about adding water.

You are right! I have one.

 

[gary0529]

You are right! I have one.

Also have a Ken Light set up and it works just fine on 300 Whisper/BLKT cases.
Never gets the body too warm. The tight fit and water in the center "pan" does the trick.

Gary

 

[Terry]

Also have a Ken Light set up and it works just fine on 300 Whisper/BLKT cases.
Never gets the body too warm. The tight fit and water in the center "pan" does the trick.

Gary

+1

 

[Nvreloader]

Thanks guys for the info,
but at this time, the top of the line annealers are not in the Rat hole funds.

I am looking at the Skip's designs, as I love the Diy projects, providing I can get All the proper info, etc.

Question,
Here are the case spec's for the shortest case,
Total overall case length is .600"
Case body length is .330 to shoulder jct, (from case head, Hornet based case),
Shoulder length of .070"
Neck length of .200".
Neck thickness is .015".

I have annealed the first batch of these cases in the pan of water,
slow but worked ok, I think.
I have loaded this batch at least 10+ times,
and only have to punch the primers out and reload again,
no sizing of the necks etc.

Would it be better to use Mapp gas, single flame,
to anneal the should/necks, quicker than propane gas,
in reference to this short case and retaining the safe head hardness etc?

Tia,
Don

You could easily adapt a "Skip Design" DIY annealing machine to process your very short brass. It might just require a shim in the pan of the typical .223 unit, or it might require a special short pan. You'd have to experiment, but it could certainly be done.

My concern would be trying to heat one end of the brass hot enough to anneal it properly without over heating the other end and softening the case head.

 

[riflewoman]

MAPP, Acetylene, propane and oxy are too hot to control, IMO.

To answer your question on how to anneal a very short case, as was suggested before set them up in a cake pan of water. Anneal in VERY low light and stop just when you see the neck start to glow. Then the next case. You don't need to tip them over. Even if I had one of those fancy machines I think I still would do it this way. Fill the pan to the base of the shoulder.