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Circuit Rider
03-27-2009, 12:10 AM
Does anyone have, or has anyone seen a Ken Light annealing machine in use? Comments,good or otherwise. Thanks, Circuit Rider

cbrick
03-27-2009, 01:49 AM
Hi Circuit Rider, welcome to Castboolits.

I have one, it is a really well made machine as is everything Ken makes. <Ken Light, The Aftermarket Sight Specialist (http://www.kenlightmfg.com/)>. Its operation is simple enough but I discovered rather quickly after getting it that annealing is a bit of an art form. The torches must be set to the proper angle and flame setting or too much of a good thing happens in a hurry (over annealing). Too little flame and there is not enough annealing. This is not a slam against the machine, just that it takes some practice to understand what you’re looking at and to get it down pat. I suggest saving all your old brass and practice on it until you have a good understanding of the flame settings, that's what it took for me to get it right.

Another suggestion would be to read the article on annealing written by Ken Light and Jim Harris. Cartridge Case Annealing with the BC-1000 Annealer - When, why, how and if to anneal By Ken Light (http://www.lasc.us/CartridgeCaseAnnealing.htm)

Annealing can be well worth while and save a lot on brass and especially hard to find brass but it absolutely must be done correctly. I don't know of a better machine on the market that could do a better or a faster job annealing, it really is a high end machine.

Rick

Buckshot
03-27-2009, 02:10 AM
..............Kenny's a good guy. He used to hang out at our range (Inland Fish & Game, San Bernardino, CA). After 1991 when I switched jobs our range schedules differed so I hardly ever saw him much anymore. I remember him demonstrating the case annealer on the rangemaster's desk. I had had a Spanish Destroyer carbine rebarreled in 45ACP, and to find out how high a front sight I needed I had a piece of shim stock bent into an "L" and hose clamped to the barrel. For some reason he thought that was the funniest thing he'd ever seen. He asked if I really horsed down on the clamp if it choked the barrel any?

..................Buckshot

Jon K
03-27-2009, 03:09 AM
I have one also, and wouldn't be without it. I've had it since Brian Crawford first started building it(1984 if I remember right). Mine is serial #6, and has never missed a beat. I have changed o-rings(drive wheel), and abrasive (under the shellplate), which make the cases rotate while the plate turns.

Check out the articles Rick mentioned, I believe LASC has a video also on their website of the machine in operation, well worth checking out.

I have seen cheap copies fall by the wayside and fail over the years. These are well built, well thought out, and worth every penny.

Jon

Wayne Smith
03-27-2009, 08:58 AM
Be aware, if this machine uses propane torches, and I think it does, that you can get various mixes of gas in propane cylinders that burn at varying temperatures. Knowing which one to get may make or break using this machine.

Circuit Rider
03-27-2009, 10:56 AM
Gentlemen, thanks for the input. It looked like a great tool, but you never know for sure. Will order one. Again, much obliged, Circuit Rider

gray wolf
03-27-2009, 01:42 PM
I just did some enealing on these 270 cases. What do you experts think of the color on these.

GW.

captaint
03-27-2009, 05:16 PM
While I'm not to be confused with an expert, they look a little light to me. I'm comparing these to some new annealed brass that I have purch. Photo light could have an effect too.

Idaho_Elk_Huntr
03-31-2009, 12:06 PM
I seen 4 of these for sale yesterday