Annealing (yes another dumb question)

[doctnj]

Sorry to be asking so many questions but I want to do things right. I think I have decided to buy an annealeez a little down the road. But my question is this.

Ive watched a ton of videos on this subject and read several threads and I think this, and exterior ballistics, are the top two contentious topics in shooting. Until such time that I get the machine, is it better to under anneal with handheld means or just skip it altogether until I do get the machine?


Again I am truly grateful for the help.

[LongRange]

you opened up a can of worms with this question as there are a lot of different opinions on the subject and they vary from you dont need to...to annealing everytime.
but to answer your question..and i think most will agree...that "UNDER ANNEALING" is a waste of time.

[sixonetonoffun]

IMHO much is made of over annealing for nothing. If it was done repeatedly maybe.

The little bit of zinc lost and copper left at the surface polishes off easily and the brass has much less spring back afterwards. Well worth the effort. Every 2nd or 3rd firing seems enough to keep me happy.

[rbp75503]

I wonder why new unprimed Lapua brass is annealed at the factory? Do they know something about the procedures of manufacturing quality brass?;)

[Nor Cal Mikie]

You have to consider the inital outlay ($$) for the annealer compared to how much you'll be using it. Propane torch and a drill to spin your brass is cheap and works very well. A little practice on range pickup brass and you'll be good to go.

[earl39]

I wonder why new unprimed Lapua brass is annealed at the factory? Do they know something about the procedures of manufacturing quality brass?;)

All factory new brass is annealed. The difference is some goes thru an extra polishing to remove the discoloration from the brass.

[Txhillbilly]

Propane torch and a drill to spin your brass is cheap and works very well.

That's how I've been doing it for many years.
I've got all the parts setting in the shop to build an annealing machine,just haven't spent the time to put it together.
You can build one for around $100 if you are mechanically inclined.

[doctnj]

txhillbilly, I think Im pretty savvy when it comes to building stuff. I built our entire basement, albeit once the movie and game rooms were completed the construction slowed to a crawl. But, thats a 100 bucks. I would then have no less than 4 additional trips to town to get something else. Kind of like plumbing. the Annealeez is only 275. I was pretty pleased with the price. Its pretty affordable and I like that it has a rheostat. I will order one first of next month. If there was a place that sold all the parts as a kit, now that could be a cool deal right there. Maybe you should put yours together to show how well it works then stock pile a couple complete parts kits and sell them for say 150 plus shipping. I would pay it. If I knew it was everything......everything.

[doctnj]

I did order an annealeez. Just fyi. Jeff said he is running about a week and a half behind. He said he is getting quite a few orders.

[LongRange]

make sure you get a bottle of tempilaq 750 so you know your in the right heat range.

[GaCop]

IMHO much is made of over annealing for nothing. If it was done repeatedly maybe.

The little bit of zinc lost and copper left at the surface polishes off easily and the brass has much less spring back afterwards. Well worth the effort. Every 2nd or 3rd firing seems enough to keep me happy.
Totally agree. I watch the color change and remove the case from the flame when the color change line is just below the shoulder.

[JASmith]

Not so dumb a question!

This thread started at about the same time I discovered that annealing is necessary for a project I'm working. So the thread has both been informative and timely!

Thanks!

[Txhillbilly]

txhillbilly, I think Im pretty savvy when it comes to building stuff. I built our entire basement, albeit once the movie and game rooms were completed the construction slowed to a crawl. But, thats a 100 bucks. I would then have no less than 4 additional trips to town to get something else. Kind of like plumbing. the Annealeez is only 275. I was pretty pleased with the price. Its pretty affordable and I like that it has a rheostat. I will order one first of next month. If there was a place that sold all the parts as a kit, now that could be a cool deal right there. Maybe you should put yours together to show how well it works then stock pile a couple complete parts kits and sell them for say 150 plus shipping. I would pay it. If I knew it was everything......everything.

The Annealeez that you bought is copy of the one that I have all the parts for. A guy in Australia built the original design,and just passed it on to other shooters along with a complete list of the parts and measurements needed to complete it.

[mudpig]

Take this for a read :)

http://www.6mmbr.com/annealing.html

[sixonetonoffun]

That article has a lot of good info but some of the methods.. omfg! Talk about making a simple task slow and cumbersome.

Deep set of sockets, 3" extension pail of water and a quality torch.

Pretty sure Frank mentioned a welding glove and shades once...

Poor mans Michael Jackson costume right there if ya add a fedora.

[LongRange]

This is my set up...the drill was $90 bucks not sure what a torch cost and i made the brackets outta scrap...the drill is used to anneal unifom primer pockets and turn necks...i annealed 101 case tonight and it took me 23mins thats counting set up clean up and pics.

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff515/LTT-/Mobile%20Uploads/1448419567.jpg (http://s1239.photobucket.com/user/LTT-/media/Mobile%20Uploads/1448419567.jpg.html)

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff515/LTT-/Mobile%20Uploads/1448419566.jpg (http://s1239.photobucket.com/user/LTT-/media/Mobile%20Uploads/1448419566.jpg.html)

[Mozella]

txhillbilly, I think Im pretty savvy when it comes to building stuff. I built our entire basement, albeit once the movie and game rooms were completed the construction slowed to a crawl. But, thats a 100 bucks. I would then have no less than 4 additional trips to town to get something else. Kind of like plumbing. the Annealeez is only 275. I was pretty pleased with the price. Its pretty affordable and I like that it has a rheostat. I will order one first of next month. If there was a place that sold all the parts as a kit, now that could be a cool deal right there. Maybe you should put yours together to show how well it works then stock pile a couple complete parts kits and sell them for say 150 plus shipping. I would pay it. If I knew it was everything......everything.

If you're handy with tools, why not build a "Skip" design machine. Look HERE (http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/434088_DIY_Annealing_Machine.html)for details. The thread is long but includes dimensions, parts lists, sources, prices, etc.

Some have built simple versions for less than a hundred bucks. Mine cost a little bit more than that, but it has a case counter and a proximity switch to keep the two motors in sync. I can load and anneal 100 cases in less than 7 minutes while I just sit there and watch it work. I can change from .223 to 6mm BR in 10 seconds by just slipping on a simple shim.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/728/22430304126_5e879da8e4_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Ab6aXu)_DSC3404 (https://flic.kr/p/Ab6aXu)

[doctnj]

On Lr's post. Yep, that was originally going to be the basic set up I was going to use except the angle grinder is a great idea. Dont have one. I have a polisher but it doesnt run at slow speeds. The idea of holding a drill the whole time didnt make me smile. I like the idea of set up, set the time, drop in the cases and go. But as far as building my own it did run accross my mind and I looked at several. My tools are a scattered mess all over the house. I am not well organized. When starting new projects like that I typically have to buy several new tools to pull it off because i cant find the ones I have. Got a new tool box maybe that will help. You should have seen what I went through when I built my own swimming pool.

[LongRange]

If you're handy with tools, why not build a "Skip" design machine. Look HERE (http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/434088_DIY_Annealing_Machine.html)for details. The thread is long but includes dimensions, parts lists, sources, prices, etc.

Some have built simple versions for less than a hundred bucks. Mine cost a little bit more than that, but it has a case counter and a proximity switch to keep the two motors in sync. I can load and anneal 100 cases in less than 7 minutes while I just sit there and watch it work. I can change from .223 to 6mm BR in 10 seconds by just slipping on a simple shim.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/728/22430304126_5e879da8e4_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Ab6aXu)_DSC3404 (https://flic.kr/p/Ab6aXu)

very nice and thanks for the link i will look into this.

[LongRange]

On Lr's post. Yep, that was originally going to be the basic set up I was going to use except the angle grinder is a great idea. Dont have one. I have a polisher but it doesnt run at slow speeds. The idea of holding a drill the whole time didnt make me smile. I like the idea of set up, set the time, drop in the cases and go. But as far as building my own it did run accross my mind and I looked at several. My tools are a scattered mess all over the house. I am not well organized. When starting new projects like that I typically have to buy several new tools to pull it off because i cant find the ones I have. Got a new tool box maybe that will help. You should have seen what I went through when I built my own swimming pool.

doc you got a PM coming shortly.