let me take another look at saltwater anneal.

KnotRight

KnotRight

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Walked by it a couple months ago and really did not pay that much attention.

Anybody doing it?
Worth it?
What is needed to do it right?
What is the learning curb?
Cost to get setup?
Cost to keep the setup running setup?

OR buy one that uses a torch and some kind of motor. I think these run much more money.
 
I think salt bath, not salt water. I have no experience.
 
Look up ballistic recreations standard size kit. Its very easy to do and cost under $150 to get set up.
 
Catfish said:
Look up ballistic recreations standard size kit. Its very easy to do and cost under $150 to get set up.
Click to expand...
That is the route I went. Works well for me.

Get the extra container of salt to go with it.

I like the fact that the temp of the salt is constantly monitored and can be adjusted on the fly as needed. No Tempilaq required.

My opinion is this: for doing low volume annealing, it is perfect. Very little fiddling required to get up and running, just set the temp and go. Very consistent results - the brass comes up to the required temp quickly, and the time in the bath only affects how far down on the brass the heat migrates. With a flame type setup, production rate can be quicker, but requires fine tuning to get the heat right (too much time in the flame can get the brass too hot and ruin it).

If you plan to do large volumes, get something besides the salt-bath system. For low volume, I think the salt-bath setup is a great option.
 
Hmm, so on the cheap one could probably use a hot plate, temp probe, pan with a holy lid and potassium nitrate granules (stump killer). Same as nitre bluing.

Conveniently I have all that but the lid. Maybe if I ever load rifle again.
 
Beef15 said:
Hmm, so on the cheap one could probably use a hot plate, temp probe, pan with a holy lid and potassium nitrate granules (stump killer). Same as nitre bluing.

Conveniently I have all that but the lid. Maybe if I ever load rifle again.
Click to expand...
Google-fu tells me that Potassium Nitrate boils at 750F and that quick annealing happens at around 800F. The mixture that comes with the kit has a working temp up to 1000F so I expect you will not get great results with just Potassium Nitrate.

I had to replenish the salts for my kit so I ordered extra jars. I'll sell/trade you one if you're local to CLT.
 
Splish, splash and resultant blisters and skin grafts keep me using a case spinner and propane torch.
 
Catfish said:
Google-fu tells me that Potassium Nitrate boils at 750F and that quick annealing happens at around 800F. The mixture that comes with the kit has a working temp up to 1000F so I expect you will not get great results with just Potassium Nitrate.

I had to replenish the salts for my kit so I ordered extra jars. I'll sell/trade you one if you're local to CLT.
Click to expand...
Thanks for checking. I thoughtI had it hotter than that, but it's been 5 years since I played with them. I'll play chemist if I mess with it, not high on the priority list. Appreciate the offer.
 
Been checking to see when Ballistic Recreations had their kits back in stock and today I order the set plus 2 extra salt tubs.
 
Make your own shellholder with pizza cutters.
I had to buy my set up piecemeal, because he didn't have kits in stock.
I think I got salt, and the thermometer from him and thermocouple off Amazon.
As far as safety, as long as you keep your water bucket far enough away so that any splashes don't make it back to the pot it is very safe.
You can use your bare hands to place and remove cases. The case base should stay cool to the touch.
 
Drvred said:
Make your own shellholder with pizza cutters.
I had to buy my set up piecemeal, because he didn't have kits in stock.
I think I got salt, and the thermometer from him and thermocouple off Amazon.
As far as safety, as long as you keep your water bucket far enough away so that any splashes don't make it back to the pot it is very safe.
You can use your bare hands to place and remove cases. The case base should stay cool to the touch.
Click to expand...
I keep a 5 gallon bucket, with about 1 gallon of water in the bottom, under the bench. I do wear gloves, not because the brass is hot (it isn't) but because the pot is - just in case.
 
I want to get started annealing, probably 50 cases at a pop, one caliber.

Debating between this and a quick drill/flame set up

Salt bath seems like a winner
 
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