Case annealing

[Old Rooster]

By the way Graf's got in some 180 gr 30 Accubonds.
I bought 2 boxes
Quite Texan I love the older hot rods and GTO with a 389 was one of my favorites.

 

[wm5l]

Absolutely I did say "Really nice try to make your own annealer. Very inventive like so many other"
The point I was getting at that I have made a lot of equipment to save money only to go and get some piece of equipment that was made and worked much better. I think that his idea and they way he made the annealer would be most likely better than the Propane torch annealers out there on the market today. I have had several torch annealers and was very happy to have something to anneal with. However they do have their draw backs. Once I got the AMP there is no comparison to torch annealers-JUST MY OPINION.
To get a pie pan, a ammo box and some controllers takes a wizard to think of that. My hat off to WM51. Fantastic way to make an annealer!!!! there will probably other members going to be asking WM51 for his plans so that they can make their own annealers.

Its cool man none taken. My screen name is messed up on the Site it should read WM5L not wm51 Im a radio nut as well as a gun nut. I make Electronic stuff all the time. The Case anneal machine I made was a combination of the two hobbies thrown together with some copying of others I saw in YouTube. I also like to play with BIG Diesel Engines and Harley Davidson Motorcycles. My next project is to make an Induction Anneal machine. Already got most of the parts scrounged up except for the timer

 

[wm5l]

From the fine folks at AMP

Salt Bath Annealing - Does It Work? | Learn More | AMP

View the latest articles from AMP Annealing. Get tips and tricks from our R&D. Here we upload articles to provide your the best possible information on innovations in the annealing process.

www.ampannealing.com

The company just happens to sell a machine that costs $1400 bucks so it is in their best interest to say their stuff is better. I'm out $100 bucks for all the salt stuff and about $50 for the ammo can Machine I made. I do think Induction heating is a better more consistent way to make case mouths soft but I haven't had time to make one yet.

 

[Coyote Shadow Tracker]

Its cool man none taken. My screen name is messed up on the Site it should read WM5L not wm51 Im a radio nut as well as a gun nut. I make Electronic stuff all the time. The Case anneal machine I made was a combination of the two hobbies thrown together with some copying of others I saw in YouTube. I also like to play with BIG Diesel Engines and Harley Davidson Motorcycles. My next project is to make an Induction Anneal machine. Already got most of the parts scrounged up except for the timer

There is some good UTubes on DYI Induction annealers. I was going to make my own, but time and other reasons led me to buy an AMP. One of the best purchases I ever made.

 

[Mikecr]

There is no possibility that AMP is more consistent than dip annealing. At best, they could match it.
ANYBODY explain how you could get more consistent, than dipping brass in a medium, that's actually at the correct temperature.

 

[Tac-O]

There is no possibility that AMP is more consistent than dip annealing. At best, they could match it.
ANYBODY explain how you could get more consistent, than dipping brass in a medium, that's actually at the correct temperature.

Did you read their write up on salt bath annealing? I'm just curious to know what your thoughts are. The hardness testing results are pretty compelling.

Maybe you're just saying that the consistency you can get from the salt bath annealing is just as good if not better, even though you're not reaching that 100 VH mark and more likely around 120-130?

 

[ButterBean]

There is no possibility that AMP is more consistent than dip annealing. At best, they could match it.
ANYBODY explain how you could get more consistent, than dipping brass in a medium, that's actually at the correct temperature.

We tested salt bath annealed cases as well and while our numbers were considerably better they still were not as good as the other processes due to the variables mentioned above such as cooling due to large cases and dropping the temp, Once again " Consistency is the key"

 

[QuietTexan]

And there it is: consistency. Even if the method isn't optimal, the consistency and repeatability of the results minimize variation and produce a better end product than more optimized but less consistent processes.

 

[ButterBean]

The company just happens to sell a machine that costs $1400 bucks so it is in their best interest to say their stuff is better. I'm out $100 bucks for all the salt stuff and about $50 for the ammo can Machine I made. I do think Induction heating is a better more consistent way to make case mouths soft but I haven't had time to make one yet.

Just so I'm clear the AMP machine is no better than what you have now IMO

 

[Coyote Shadow Tracker]

There is no possibility that AMP is more consistent than dip annealing. At best, they could match it.
ANYBODY explain how you could get more consistent, than dipping brass in a medium, that's actually at the correct temperature.

Well for a Company that makes a product that has been researching annealing for years and have documented test results on the metallurgy of Brass and what the AMP actually does on annealing brass for reloading. This Company has spent a small fortune in R&D and not only that has the documentation to back up their product. Now I do admit that the AMP is quite expensive, but you have to look at cost to the investment and your return. I have not, to this date, seen any test data and documentation from any company making Propane/torch or Salt Bath annealers taking their annealed Brass to an independent company for metallurgy testing to verify that their product actually anneals Brass Cases.
AMP has this testing information on their product to back up the annealing process.
AMP actually went and purchased SALT Annealing machines and had independent testing done to see if SALT Annealing was Better/ The Same/ Or didn't work.
Have you ever seen a company purchase a competitor's product and spend thousands of dollars to do testing?
If you review the independent Metallurgy testing on Salt Bath you would most likely buy an AMP or save up for one.
Now I am not say that the AMP is for everyone. If you are just reloading a few cartridges for hunting you have to look at the cost and ROI. May be you are a dedicated hunter that wants perfection on all your reloads. Then there are the competition shooters that reload thousands of cartridges a year and want perfection, accuracy, and brass life.
Butter Bean posted a very information an Salt Bath annealling tested by an independent metallurgy company. I would suggest that if you are using a Salt bath or thinking about getting a Salt bath System review the testing.
This process of annealing has been for years a very contentious subject between, Flame, Salt Bath and Induction. My suggestion is to research all the products and processes to make up your own mind. I have used the different processes and done my research so I know which annealing process that I will use on my brass.

 

[ButterBean]

And there it is: consistency. Even if the method isn't optimal, the consistency and repeatability of the results minimize variation and produce a better end product than more optimized but less consistent processes.

I concur 100%

 

[Canhunter35]

Bean, I use the torch and drill method and really seem to struggle with consistency. I used to put my drill in a bench vice with tape on the trigger and have the torch standing in the correct spot, but the drill wouldn't stay at a consistent speed and with shorter cases it's very hard to get the case in and out of the socket in the dark with consistent timing.

So I started using my cordless drill and holding it by hand so it's easier to move in and out of the flame. Still hard to get consistency.

I also found that with thicker brass like Peterson, it's much harder to see the neck just start to glow without going too far and getting a flame color change.

I also use a metronome for timing, but with the other struggles the glow doesn't seem to happen at consistent times... 6 seconds versus 7.

Suggestions?

Approach it like you're painting a picture and you need to get every brass to look the same. Keep the brass out of the cone of the flame

 

[Ga6570]

I made one very similar as well - based on a version I found a guy made and shared on YouTube.

I made several modifications/upgrades to this version and then later realized this guy also made some of the same mods on future versions... adjustable fence/ramp, adjustable pocket depth, removable roller guide, removable power cord.

The variable speed motor and display on the version posted about here is how the consistency is maintained. 'Some brass is harmed in the making of this product' and is used to find that proper time in the flame. Just the verge of the orange glow is what I go for.

I love the ammo can idea. Very simple. Would be really cool if it all packed away neatly into the can!!

what I built is so very similar to OPs version. I'll take some photos and maybe a demo of it in use and post photos today... it's a simple product, that does the job, wasn't a bank breaker, and was satisfying to design and build.

 

[Ga6570]

Photos of the one I made