Now that's slick!  Maybe I should go looking in garage sales more often.  I mean, I already have the torch and the bucket . . .

LD1,
Welcome to the forum. Hear you and that would work, but lead pot and water scares the H---- out of me. One drop of water in the lead pot and you have a major explosion.
Chuck

When using lead to anneal, your brass should have a little lube on it to the depth you stick it into the lead, if the brass is absolutely clean you will tin the brass with lead.

boats............ think you nailed it on 3 out of 4. Am guessing the machines are more 'accurate' due to their adjustable torches, etc. However, not sure that 'more accurate' annealing shows up as 'more accurate' ammo on the range. Think our methods are 'accurate enough'.

FYI, here's an article I authored some time ago on currently available annealing equipment from the simple to the most expensive $800 machine.

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Wayne

Glenn,

I'd give the Bench Source machine an A++ for design and ease of use, and the price is reasonable when comparing other units.  I really like the unique design of the small rotating spindle the case is positioned over for alignment with the torch flame.  Although the unit will handle two torches, the design allows using only one.  I guess if one was annealing several hundred cases at one setting, two torches would speed up the process by allowing a reduction of the heating time for each case.

Was it worth it?  That's a subjective question and depends on the amount of discretionary funds available, usage requirement and how much one values ease of use.  I anneal after every match.  With a carrousel-type unit the setup is fast and I can safely and easily anneal in the comfort of my office/loading room with bright lights.  However, with two exceptions, I have to agree with Boats’ comment, "...however it's hard to imagine anything more accurate, simpler, faster or less expensive than a dark room, torch and a power screwdriver”.  The exceptions are accuracy and speed.  The carrousel annealers will always be faster than hand held annealing plus each case is annealed exactly the same amount.  The human factor is removed from the actual annealing process.  How much is all the above worth? It depends.

BTW, my 2nd choice was the Ken Light unit.  I do like the aesthetically pleasing look of Ken’s design but it has a couple of shortcoming when compared to the Bench Source; two torches are required and additional cartridge head wheels are required for different cases.

Wayne

Boats,

Annealing after each match may be excessive but I've done some testing and, with slip fitted bullets, can feel the difference between case necks that are not annealed after a match and ones that are when thumb pushing in a new lubed bullet.  So my philosophy is "better safe than sorry".  With the Bench Source annealer it's quick and easy and is one of the faster steps in the reloading process since it ready to go with no warm up once it's plugged in and the dedicated torch is lit.  It takes approximately 15 min. total to set up, anneal 60 cases, unplug & turn off the torch, and store the annealer.   

Wayne