Pros and Cons of Different Annealing Machines

[Yasherka]

So the tax check is coming and the wife wants to get me something nice for my birthday (next week if anyone wants to chip in). She's given me the green light to get an annealing machine, but am not sure which way to go: I've done a lot of research and am torn between the Bench Source and the Giraud. I don't want to spend time manufacturing one, which is why I'm looking for a turn-key system.

They both look nice. The Bench Source has a preferable (to me) way of spinning the cartridge, but I also like the hopper feature on the Giraud. I am currently leaning more towards the Bench Source as, from what I gather, I won't need to spend more for doing different calibers (I currently load for about eight between .223 and .338).

Can anyone give some pluses and minuses for both that I may not have considered?

 

[Ratbert]

Re: Pros and Cons of Different Annealing Machines

I have the bench source and my only real complaint with it is that the way the cases drop out of it requires a little finessing. Assuming you want them to drop into some sort of box or something and not just roll around on the table, they have a tendency to pile up at the exit until eventually one will not want to drop free. I have fixed this by using a small board as a ramp to let it roll off the edge of the table and into a box sitting in a chair, but given how slick and polished every other part of this machine is that stands out as a bit of an odd fix.

Otherwise I'm completely happy with it and it works wonderfully. Unless you're doing 50 BMG and similar cases there are no wheels or cogs to change out or adjust, just dial in the time you want, turn it on, and go. Since I would never want to just walk away and leave a machine burning two propane torches to run on it's own the hopper really makes no difference at all. Putting a case on the wheel as it spins gives you something to do while you're watching them anneal. It's really a pretty painless process and I do not regret buying it at all. Especially since brass shortages can run a year or more if you are unlucky these days, being able to extend their lifespan can be the difference between shooting a gun and sidelining it.

 

[oneshot.onehit]

Re: Pros and Cons of Different Annealing Machines

Both are probably the best choices, a shooting partner and close friend and I were researching annealer’s a few months back. He had come across some good info on the Giraud. And I preferred the Bench Source he ordered his and I ended up swinging some funds towards another build, you can never have enough.

The Giraud works well, he tweaked a few things on it being a machinist in precision and all you need to do after running a few test cases with the temp paint is load up the hopper and let it run while prepping brass or something other. He did say that he thought the Bench Source may force a better spin factor but the Giraud works very well also with the sliding table prior to dropping the annealed case in a box in which here also you need to have.

Used 12 pack pop containers work well for keeping track of weight sorted brass while annealing

I may still get the Bench Source, they both should be good and precise in what they were designed to do.

Note: clean brass results in a better annealing job, you may already know this but I’m throwing it out there for the folks that may not.

 

[Yasherka]

Re: Pros and Cons of Different Annealing Machines

Thanks for the response gentlemen. I think I'm going to pull the trigger on a Bench Source.

Ratbert, you make a good point about not walking away from burning torches, and I'm afraid my ADD would cause me to do just that ("just for a minute" which then turns into a couple hours).

Oneshot, I have an overabundance of the .50 cal ammo cans...probably use those but a good idea nonetheless.

 

[X-fan]

Re: Pros and Cons of Different Annealing Machines

I have the Bench Source and am very happy with it.
Works perfectly for the 50BMG stuff as well.

I run a glove to handle the hot cases and just pop them in a loading block.

The torch(s) mounts are very strong and aren't going anywhere..I would not be concerned....Unless you have young children or something like that.

 

[clmayfield]

Re: Pros and Cons of Different Annealing Machines

I have the Bench Source as well... some good ideas here on this thread. Yes, the brass dump sucks. I like the idea of the hopper on the Giraud, but really, are you saving any time with it? You are still going to have to watch the machine, it is not "set it and forget it." And then you have to worry about having each piece of brass just right in the hopper.

I would have considered it, but I already had the Bench Source when it came out. I am a huge fan of the Giraud case trimmer.

 

[Rookie]

Re: Pros and Cons of Different Annealing Machines

I annealed 200 pieces of 243 brass yesterday. I set it up where I can see/hear it while I'm doing something else. If it jams or whatever, which it never has, I'll know it right away. Wouldn't wanna stand there and feed something, and thats why I like the Geraud.

 

[Deadshot2]

Re: Pros and Cons of Different Annealing Machines

I think the machines are neat, all of them. Just too expensive. I anneal all my brass with an Impact Deep Socket turned by a Cordless drill using a bernz-o-matic torch. Just as fast as with the others and rather than taking time to load a hopper or feed the machine I just put the case in the socket, turn in flame for 4 seconds, and done. I can do about 500 at a time before my arm gets tired.

Maybe when the cost of the machines come down, if ever.

 

[lightman]

Re: Pros and Cons of Different Annealing Machines

I just bought a Giraud,mostly because I liked his trimmer so well.I have not used it yet.I do not plan to leave it while it is running,but do plan to do something else like trim cases.This will be on the same table,only a few steps away.Really looking foreward to the weekend,and using this thing! Lightman

 

[crasher]

Re: Pros and Cons of Different Annealing Machines

Only two things stopping me from getting the Giraud:
1.)I haven't figured out yet how to speed-load the hopper.
2.) I haven't emailed him yet to ask whether the propane torch can be converted to household natural gas.

 

[Yasherka]

Re: Pros and Cons of Different Annealing Machines

I received the Bench Source on Friday and have been looking it over. I am very impressed with every aspect of this machine! Very high quality build with heavy-duty materials and attention to detail (and American made). Hell I was even impressed with the packaging; it was NOT going to break in transit. Once I get it set up and get some experience using it I'll post a review.

In the meantime, here are some photos as I unpacked it:

 

[Yasherka]

Re: Pros and Cons of Different Annealing Machines

OK, the Tempilaq came in yesterday and here is my first attempt to st the torches. The orange is 650 and the green is 400. Did I get it hot enough and far enough down?

 

[jakel]

Re: Pros and Cons of Different Annealing Machines

what was the price on the bench source?
tks

 

[CSS]

Re: Pros and Cons of Different Annealing Machines

Call Bench Source for a price. They don't publish it so I won't either.

Yasherka,
You and I are at the same point it this process. Mine came in last week and I have been playing with it for a few days.
The paper work show the Tempilaq only going up to the shoulder, not on it or the neck.
Put it on a little thinner and not on the neck unless inside the neck according to David at BS.
Yours looks like it is melting down about where mine is also.

 

[doubled]

Re: Pros and Cons of Different Annealing Machines

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: crash_er</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Only two things stopping me from getting the Giraud:
1.)I haven't figured out yet how to speed-load the hopper.
2.) I haven't emailed him yet to ask whether the propane torch can be converted to household natural gas. </div></div>

for #2 - you just need to get a new jet for the torch - you can get them at mcmaster's or somewhere. Unscrew the front of the torch and it is the little mushroom looking piece. Some people call them "pills" but the guys at McMasters will know as soon as you tell them.

for #1 - it will take you about 8 seconds per case to anneal them; load about 15 cases, turn it on then load the rest. You will load much faster than the machine consumes them. No need to "speed load" if the process takes longer than you loading the hopper.

goto the hardware store and buy new screws for the front left and back left feet of the giraud. Give it a little bit of a tilt (about 3/4") from left to right to aid the gravity sled.

I put a regulator on mine for constant gas pressure - direct from the bottle introduces to much varying pressures and the flame doesn't stay consistent.

All in all Giraud is the best one for me, with the tweaks I mention.

 

[milo 2.0]

Re: Pros and Cons of Different Annealing Machines

Doubled,
I regulated mine also, at 38lbs, and run a 10 pound cylinder. What do you run? My cases are in the flame for 11 seconds, no problems yet?????

 

[kineticmedic]

Re: Pros and Cons of Different Annealing Machines

I love my giraud. I've run thousands of 223 through it in the couple of months that I've had it. I always stay with it but usually work on some other task while its doing its thing. Sometimes one of my sons helps me keep the hopper loaded. The only complaint I have is hoe touchy the torch is especially for 223, but sounds like I could fix that with a regulator.

 

[milo 2.0]

Re: Pros and Cons of Different Annealing Machines

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ubergeek</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I love my giraud. I've run thousands of 223 through it in the couple of months that I've had it. I always stay with it but usually work on some other task while its doing its thing. Sometimes one of my sons helps me keep the hopper loaded. The only complaint I have is hoe touchy the torch is especially for 223, but sounds like I could fix that with a regulator. </div></div>

I don't think a plain regulator will work, it has to be adjustable, the red ones. It cost about 65.00 bucks, for the whole setup. I think just double needle valves would work, it is damm touchy.

 

[doubled]

Re: Pros and Cons of Different Annealing Machines

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: milo-2</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Doubled,
I regulated mine also, at 38lbs, and run a 10 pound cylinder. What do you run? My cases are in the flame for 11 seconds, no problems yet????? </div></div>

it's a 0-40 regulator and it's open to 40. 11 seconds seems long to me but your flame placement might be different. I'm right around 8 seconds for mine with the flame just tickling the shoulders taint.

 

[milo 2.0]

Re: Pros and Cons of Different Annealing Machines

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: doubled</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
it's a 0-40 regulator and it's open to 40. 11 seconds seems long to me but your flame placement might be different. I'm right around 8 seconds for mine with the flame just tickling the shoulders taint. </div></div>

I know, 11 sec seems too long, but I've checked temps and it seems to be OK. I'm not running too hot of a flame.
Thanks, I think I've picked up a couple of tips from your post.
I over heated about 8 cases, turned black, on the shoulder and neck, have shot them 3 times to see what will happen, nothing yet. So I think I'm still safe.
I try to make mine look like new Lapua brass, silver necks, etc.. But fully realizing they have way more experience and better equipment.

And to crasher, your not going to speed load any of the other brands either, but they all look like qaulity products.

 

[X-fan]

Re: Pros and Cons of Different Annealing Machines

I run mine with twin touches and barbeque tank.
The big tank seems to even the pressure a bit during extended operations.
I have a new quality reg sitting there ready to try and hope this brings some repeatability to the setup.

I also bought one of those laser infrared temp gauge guns to aid setup. If it reads the same as the Tempilac I will bail on the use of Tempilac

 

[Yasherka]

Re: Pros and Cons of Different Annealing Machines

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jakel</div><div class="ubbcode-body">what was the price on the bench source?
tks </div></div>

$550, not including the torch heads.

 

[Sgt_Jamez]

Re: Pros and Cons of Different Annealing Machines

X-Fan... I'm interested in how the temp gun works out for you. I'd love to be able to use the gun as opposed to paint that I have to clean off later.