What annealing machines are you all using ?

[Kracken McGraw]

Hey Kokopeli, I totally agree...
These are really the ONLY machines to consider...
I up graded my first production run machine with the Aztec program and now I need only loose one case rather then send 6ps to AMP to get the correct setting.
Has made the machine quieter and faster too.
The newer machines come with the AZTEC system built in from the factory... For a bit of interest go to AMP's website and watch the video of one of their machines being built... The audio is good too so turn up the sound... Watching that video should get you over the line about buying one of these machines and if you are in a club perhaps they might consider buying one for the member's use... They will do cases from 17cal to
50-BMG. All you need is the right collets for your cartridge and away you go.
NO guess work, No flames, Perfectly annealed @ time meaning neck tension is right @ and every load and shot.... I suggest that the brass be wet SS cleaned prior to annealing to keep any powder residue or dirt out of the machine.

That’s very interesting. Now I’m curious as to how easy it is to get inside the machine to clean powder residue out.

 

[Fire Dog]

That’s very interesting. Now I’m curious as to how easy it is to get inside the machine to clean powder residue out.

I just use a Q-Tip with a bit of "Metho"...{denatured alcohol} to clean the induction plates that are visible and accessible from the hole that takes the standoff collets.
This really was ever only a problem when I foolishly followed some online advice about using some car wash with wax as a means of keeping the cleaned cased from tarnishing.... DON'T EVER DO THAT!!
At least not if you are going to anneal the cases be it in an AMP machine or any other heating device...
The wax will burn off and you will be choking from the fumes and it will make a mess inside your AMP...
Annealing clean brass is really the way to go as every load will start with "new" brass... Primer pockets clean, inside and outside of brass "Factory New"... No carbon residue anywhere!

The bottom of the AMP annealing chamber is well below the case neck and again is easily cleaned with a Q-Tip {the long stem ones that the Quacks and hospitals have are really good for this}

I have been adding 10ml of BoreTec sonic cleaner, a tiny amount of Lemi Shine, squirt of dish soap and hot tap water to my wet SS pin tumbler and that seems to provide the tarnish resistance finish I want and does not poison you with the fumes nor contaminate your annealer...
I also pre-soak my cases overnight in HOT/boiling water, good squirt of dish soap {does NOT have to be Dawn...!} a tiny sprinkle of Lemi Shine {I use one of those weensy little spoons that the airlines give out with your coffee-or just the amount that will sit on a 1/4" of the handle end of a teaspoon} and 5ml of the above mentioned BoreTec sonic cleaner. You will never need to tumble more than 1 & 1/2 hrs for perfectly clean and shiny brass.
Don't over load the tumbler, think of adding another pound of pins to the lot you got with the machine and remember less time tumbling will mean less chance of belling/peening the mouth of the cartridge cases...especially 17cal-7mm or neck turned brass.
Always a good idea to lightly remove any burrs inside/outside of the necks anyway just to solve that problem that comes when you load a round that was a bit peened and now has a slight trumpet mouth from the projectile entering the case and now you cannot get to chamber....
Really embarrassing and maddening when at a match....!!!
Been there, Done That...!!
Cheers, FD

 

[Grizzly cub]

wife would complain about the smoke, definitely an outdoor deal

Make sure she has a coat on.

 

[geralton4]

AMP or just don’t bother.

 

[john pruitt]

bench source works great.

 

[milboltnut]

I seriously doubt anyone can top this

 

[milboltnut]

he must have plenty of components !!!

 

[Chiquita]

I seriously doubt anyone can top this

AWESOME!!! Love it. A lot of work, time and probably more expensive than the AMP. but I bet he had a great time making it. Very nice work indeed.

 

[itchyTF]

AMP or just don’t bother.

Thanks so much for your unbiased OPINION. You are saying all other efforts aren't worth it? I beg to differ. Also, not everyone has $1k+ to spend on an annealer.

 

[Louisb]

AMP

 

[SGK]

I would love to get prints and schematics on this. I have an old Pioneer Amp case from the seventies that would make a great housing for this set up. That could pee off some amp user with the auto feed system.
Thanks for the inspiration and Ideas. (SWEET)

Come ask questions in Gina's thread

 

[Dave Hull]

I ended up building my own.
Like everyone on here who looks into it .. AMP is king, but up here in Canadia, they're $1900 + extra bits.
So, I went online and found this:

From there, with a friend, and a little bit of experimentation, we've arrived at the attached pic.
We went with a 12 volt motor, and timing belts to keep things lined up.
So far, I've done my wife's 100 Dasher brass, and my 200 308 brass in batches of 50, allowing them to cool down to the touch, and it took just slightly over an hour to do all of that.

 

[BondJamesBond]

AMP or just don’t bother.

seriously...do you think before you type?

 

[Ray123]

I don't anneal much, but when I must, I use a lathe to turn the homemade bushing and a torch, and insert cases and pull hot cases with a leather glove... Back in the day fired 17,000 match grade Lapua reloaded rounds of 308 and never annealed any of them...just put .001 tighter bushing in the die when necks get harder...some cases lasted 40 rounds...have a 5 gallon bucket of old 308 lapua brass very few have split necks and never annealed... most are thin in the head area from all the hot loads and all the trimming.
Just have your finish reamer and Lapua brass a close neck fit. I personally will never buy an expensive annealing machine. A waste of money just buy new brass, save time, and shoot. Just one opinion, everyone has proceedures, processes, and snake oils, that work for them.

 

[Capt. Oblivious]

I have been using this locally made machine for many years, with it not being an AMP im not sure how I ever won anything

 

[Fern]

Ugly annealer. I am very pleased with it. Very sturdy and underrated

 

[The boogalorian]

Used a aneeleez for more than five years. It worked well but there are some drawbacks. Getting the flame set correctly without burning the wheels was a occasional challenge. Sometimes the flame would change during the session causing me to run some cases a second time just to be sure they were annealed. I went thru two torches over the years. They occasionally become clogged.

Recently purchased an amp. All I can say is that if you have the money it is worth it. Works as advertised. No more stress about setting it up or using it. Very simple, straightforward and stress free to anneal my cases now.

 

[Beruisis]

Ken Light