Any one use the candle method to anneal?

[Ohno]

I read about this method to anneal cases using a candle.

Basically you need a candle and a damp cloth. Holding the case by the base and putting the neck and shoulder into the flame rotating it all around. When the case becomes too hot to hold drop it into the damp cloth and wipe clean.

It seemed to work pretty well, but the soot was pretty stuck on the necks. I'm sure a trip in the tumbler would clean them up nice.

 

[gunrunner100]

I have never annealed cases, but a friend's father used to use the torch and pan method. All cases in a shallow pan of water, heat the neck and case mouth, then tip into the pan. Probably old news for most veteran reloaders, but it supposedly works.

 

[crout]

you'll have enough heat but a plumbers torch is much easier and the flame on a torch doesn't move with a slight breeze, as would a candle flame.

i use a torch, socket head to fit the brass and an electric drill and a tub of water. you get nice uniform heat transfer.

 

[hoochie]

I would think the candle idea would take way too long and end up heating the entire case. you just want to heat the neck real quick then quench it. too much heat down the entire shell will make the entire thing soft.
get a cheap torch from home depot.. my 2 cents

 

[The Cold Lake Kid]

I've always used the blowtorch and pan method myself.
Then just give them some tumbler time.

 

[sunray]

The case will be too hot to hold before the neck and shoulder get hot enough to be annealed. The brass needs to change colour(not red hot) to be annealed.

 

[BigUglyMan]

A candle hasn't got enough heat to do the trick. You have to use a torch. There is a method where you dip it in molten lead to heat it up but that just turns into a disaster.

 

[Dogleg]

John Barness swears it works. Myself, I lose my cases to primer pockets before neck splits so don't care.

 

[SandRoad]

This is a great article on annealing

http://www.6mmbr.com/annealing.html

A candle will work, but it is going to be really slow. The damp cloth will keep the base and lower part of the case from heating up too much. Annealing is a function of BOTH time and temperature, so you can use a lower temp for a longer time.

When soldering some plumbing valves and fittings that contain plastic, I use a damp cloth to protect the plastic. The moisture boils off as steam when it gets too hot.