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Video of me annealing some brass

2 things- adjust your wheel where the brass runs true. Youre not getting an even flame around the brass. Second is i dont think you have enough time on there. I know you checked it with tempilaq but was there carbon inside? Carbon in the necks throws off the heat transfer and definitely does inside the case. Mine needs at least 5 on the time- verified with a rockwell tester, the pliers test and most importantly the hydraulic press with the datalogger calibration gauge i put on there
 
I don't understand "brass runs true".

They look great and I can't tell old brass (20+ time fired) from new.
Time .. it's based on flame intensity any more runs down too far.
 
I don't understand "brass runs true".

They look great and I can't tell old brass (20+ time fired) from new.
Time .. it's based on flame intensity any more runs down too far.

When the flame is on it its severely running out. You adjust the wheel to make it stop in the right spot so it spins true
 
Think you are well on your way for a very good annealing process, that slight adjustment should make it just about perfect. Nice set up by the way.
 
Not “red” but a very “dull red”. You should have to look for it in the light just from the torches.

Watch this to the 2:30 mark. At 2:10 it’s a bit hotter than you want then it cools until the red is just visible. That’s what you want.

 
beautiful rig. Nice video. I just moved from gas to electric for consistency.
 
Judging temp based on color is crap shoot at best. Look at a low number 1903, HT temp was based on the old timers calibrated eyeballs, however when they started measuring temp they found nearly 300° difference from day to day and action to action from the same old timers.

Tempilaq on the inside of a clean case will get you far closer to actual temp than most eyeballs.
 
As someone who has done blacksmithing, yes they have been doing it wrong. At least for critical components.
 
“hydraulic press with the datalogger calibration gauge i put on there” - Dusty, I’ve got a 21st Century hydraulic press coming. Do you mind going into a little more detail on your data logger/pressure sensor (i.e., brands, where acquired, general satisfaction, etc.). Thanks!
 
“hydraulic press with the datalogger calibration gauge i put on there” - Dusty, I’ve got a 21st Century hydraulic press coming. Do you mind going into a little more detail on your data logger/pressure sensor (i.e., brands, where acquired, general satisfaction, etc.). Thanks!

If you want to go down that rabbit hole find your local i&c guy. He will have the test equipment needed. Or you can start here:
https://www.omega.com/en-us/sensors...-strain/pressure-gauges/dpg4000/p/DPG4000-500
 
Rather than goop just spring for one of these...
I have a decent infrared temp gun, but for the life of me can't figure a way to use it flame annealing brass. Can't use it when applying the flame, and brass heat transfer is so good, trying to get a reading before the temp is dropping more than enough to give a false reading....

Welcome any suggestions for how to get ACCURATE readings.

And that is all after the question about do I stress relieve (750° F) or anneal (1100° F).
 
I'm kinda doing this for the comments.
Tempilaq is worthless for temperature measurement if the flame is impinging on it. You are basically measuring the heat of the flame, not the temperature the flame gets the brass to.
 
Not “red” but a very “dull red”. You should have to look for it in the light just from the torches.

Watch this to the 2:30 mark. At 2:10 it’s a bit hotter than you want then it cools until the red is just visible. That’s what you want.

What degree would you say the brass is at this point? Would this be just before the brass starts to sparkle?
 
View attachment 1130366 At the point where the red is very dull and almost gone so where in the 1000F to 1100F Range.

A PHD metallugist I used to work with became a consultant to the Cu industry years after he left steel research. He told me that brass begins to turn red at 1050F. I don't know if this is accurate. Don't know his interpretation of beginning red.

Looks like your chart is OK. Don't know if the color changes with different metals (brass VS steel)?
 
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