Which annealing machine?

[Swamplord]

Bench Source is the best in my opinion, IF you are doing multiple sized cases, adjusting the torches and timer just takes seconds and you can switch annealing brass from 223 to 400 Warlord length, no additional special parts ever needed, no programming or setup, just turn it on adjust the height of torches and set timer and good to go, easy to set up a cold water tray to catch brass if you want but I let mine cool outside so I don't have to dry them

 

[crownkingsteve]

Annealeez

 

[Alibiiv]

After reading an article about how salt bath annealed don't produce hot enough temps i think im going to stick with the gas annealers but thanks!

I'd like to suggest that you do a little more research on this topic. I use the salt baths system and never any issues, and....there definitely a big difference in the brass after being annealed using this process, especially when resizing and neck sizing. There are a number of "pro vs. con" articles on this forum in reference to salt bath vs other processes; sort of like my Chevy is better than your Ford. I am getting the job done, as you did with the socket and counting seconds, with what I have and what I can afford. Good luck with your choice on annealing systems.

 

[BKM]

Bench Source is a great machine. I'm sure some of the others are also.

 

[Blackhawk]

I have been doing annealing using a drill, socket and counting seconds. I'm now thinking about getting a machine. I don't do a ton of annealing so the AMP system seems a bit much at 1400$. A Bench source seems more reasonable at ~500$ but I don't want to spend 500$ if it is not good. What is everyone's thoughts on this?

Please take a good look at the Annealeez 2.0 annealer.
Solid construction with a digital display allowing you to set your dwell, and time of brass under the flame.
Jeff's Annealeeze 2.0 units are designed to last a lifetime and will accommodate almost all bottleneck rifle cases.
(for magnum cases another set of deep rollers are offered as an option).
So between the standard roller set and the large set, it only takes a few minutes to change from one to another, and you've got the best of both worlds.
Now I have saved the price for last.
Are U Ready? It won't break the piggy bank !!
$275.00
Personal Note:
I personally own this unit and it performs flawlessly! It is manufactured from a heavy grade steel with no skimping or cutting corners anywhere, and is not of a light weight design.
For more info and setup videos please go to the Annealeeze.com Web site.
The information alone is worth the visit.
Best of Luck

 

[jreagle]

Working in the basement rules out propane for me. Carbon Monoxide could be an issue, a path not worth navigating.
Went with a Fluxeon Annie water cooled unit, bottle of water conditioner and 750* templeque. No additional accessories. The timer is .1 sec adjustable. Using around 4.2 sec for a 308 win Lapua case.
The Annie sits on an old computer monitor stand on top of a glass round table dedicated to annealing, the water cooler sits on the table below and next to the Annie..... setup brass on top of an old bullet box or a book (depending on length of cartridge) under the coil and use nickels and pennies to fine neck tune height inside the coil for different cartridges that i shoot. Lift out completed cases with a pair of needle nose pliers. So far so good, have no regrets. The process is pretty quick, can complete +- 50 308 win cases in 15- 20 minutes. Might get the foot switch at some point but im finding its not really needed, it would be more of a convenience to me.
Wanted an AMP, a nicely packaged table top unit, but the cost is terribly prohibitive to me for the job. Annie was more than 1/2 cost savings..... it still seems high for the job, but more acceptable than AMP.

 

[J E Custom]

In my opinion the the Annealese is a good place to start for the money. There are plenty of good machines but most are pricey. This on has all the features to produce consistent results and is reasonably priced. I built my on just because I had the stuff, but the choice is yours.

https://annealeez.com/product/annealeez/

J E CUSTOM

 

[Rardoin]

Looks like Annealeeze made upgrades to the unit since I had one. Looks like he addressed the torch holding issue. For $275 it would be a great solution. One suggestion for any gas annealer is to use a larger propane bottle than the disposable camp stove bottles so the pressure stays more constant as the tank empties; when running large batches of brass this can lead to changes in the flame shape and thus heat application.

 

[J E Custom]

Looks like Annealeeze made upgrades to the unit since I had one. Looks like he addressed the torch holding issue. For $275 it would be a great solution. One suggestion for any gas annealer is to use a larger propane bottle than the disposable camp stove bottles so the pressure stays more constant as the tank empties; when running large batches of brass this can lead to changes in the flame shape and thus heat application.

That is exactly what I had to do because the flame had to be constantly adjusted.

I switched to a 20 lb propane bottle and have not looked back.

J E CUSTOM

 

[Blackhawk]

Looks like Annealeeze made upgrades to the unit since I had one. Looks like he addressed the torch holding issue. For $275 it would be a great solution. One suggestion for any gas annealer is to use a larger propane bottle than the disposable camp stove bottles so the pressure stays more constant as the tank empties; when running large batches of brass this can lead to changes in the flame shape and thus heat application.

Home Depot among others sells the adapter hose that you are mentioning , which will allow you to go from small 1 pound bottles to a 20 pound tank.
It is very reasonable priced or at least it was when I purchased mine !

 

[archangel485]

I have a bench source, works great, but you do have to get it set up, I use tempilaq and paint 5 cases then run them through slowly increasing time until it's just right. Then I run the rest of the brass through. I usually clean my 5 with tempilaq off thouroughly and run them through again after they've cooled. One thing I really don't like about the bench source that seems like it would be awesome on the other options is no hopper. I have been thinking about this and will probably figure out a way to rig up a hopper. It doesn't take long to run through them but you do pretty much have to stand there the whole time to add more brass to the table.

Also agree with others, 20lb bottle or bust. Constant flame that way. I don't even use a regulator, just the torches keep the flame consistent.

 

[Spoonbill]

Plus The cost of all the materials, supplies. My Annealize is relative cheap and requires a small amount of set up when calibers are change. No problems in the 3 years I have owned it.

 

[rcar112]

I don't see a price on that?

 

[Philward]

For the gas annealers is there some torch heads that are hotter than others? MAP gas? I tried to heat a junk piece of brass to glowing to time it but it never got there. Maybe I have a crappy torch or I need different gas? I've used that torch and propane cylinders for soldering copper water pipe without issue but prefer the MAP gas and torch head for water pipe. I'm using the socket and drill method FYI.