My Automatic Induction Annealing Project

gearheadpyro

Active Member
Joined
Nov 12, 2009
Messages
36
Location
Charleston, SC
Hello all;

As many of you know I have become rather fascinated with annealing using induction heat. I had a thread on this forum a while back showing how I was doing it, and the results I was getting. Many of you replied enthusiastically and for that I thank you.

I am working on making an automatic machine to anneal cases (the I.C.A. 2000) and hope to be able to bring it to market in the near future. I would like to get some input from you guys on what you would be looking for in an annealer before I build/buy the next set of parts.

What cartidges do you reload? Specifically I am looking for the largest and smallest cases (including pistol) that you would/do anneal. I had considered making the machine to handle the monster 50 BMG, but I'm not sure that demand is high enough for the 50 to make it worth the diminshed performance with smaller cartridges.

What other features would you like to see in my induction annealing machine?

Any advice you offer is much appreciated as I try to develop the I.C.A. 2000.
 

copdills

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 20, 2009
Messages
219
Location
clover SC
the machine seems to work Great , I don't do alot of rifle , but it looks like you got it going on, keep up the good work , should be alot of interest
 

Pigpen

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2010
Messages
49
Location
somewhere round here
looks interesting. seems to be a lot easier than the old propane torch. i dont anneal much though, unless i'm working the case real hard like forming from one cartridge to another.
 

Kazhrei

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 4, 2010
Messages
83
Location
Hill AFB, UT
I could be wrong...and I usually am

I normally notice the folks who anneal their cases are mainly rifle calibers and they are usually doing it to help ensure as much accuracy as possible.

It does help ensure a longer life for the case though yes?
 

gearheadpyro

Active Member
Joined
Nov 12, 2009
Messages
36
Location
Charleston, SC
Yes, annealing does help prolong case life by stress relieving the brass.

Every time a case is fired and resized it work hardens the case, annealing removes that hardening and helps to ensure consistent neck tension. Both of these result in longer case life and more accurate ammunition.
 

Kazhrei

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 4, 2010
Messages
83
Location
Hill AFB, UT
Ok...more questions.

Is there a need to anneal with handgun calibers if you're not going for extreme accuracy? Is it just easier to just check your brass and do a (2-3 fires and junk) rotation?
 

gearheadpyro

Active Member
Joined
Nov 12, 2009
Messages
36
Location
Charleston, SC
I'm not sure of whether or not annealing seriously helps pistol brass. I've not done it yet. I do now that 2-3 firings is way too few for pistol brass. I'm up to six or seven without problems on my .40's. I wouldn't scrap pistol brass until the pockets loosen up or the neck splits.
 

Kazhrei

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 4, 2010
Messages
83
Location
Hill AFB, UT
So pistol brass is pretty long lived as long as you're sure to weed out the ones with cracks/bulges/etc...

Awesome. I keep contemplating getting into rolling my own, but then other obligations come up and it keeps getting back burnered. :cry:
 
Top