Ever used this method for home anodizing?
11-14-2007 | 09:48 PM
#1
Ever used this method for home anodizing?
I'm making a bunch of aluminum parts, and from my research, I'm understanding that anodizing while aesthetically pleasing adds some strength. Anyone do home anodizing before?
http://www.focuser.com/atm/anodize/anodize.html
http://www.focuser.com/atm/anodize/anodize.html
11-14-2007 | 10:46 PM
#2
My Feedback: (10)
RE: Ever used this method for home anodizing?
Neat site Sean, TimWiltse here in RCU does custom anodizing http://www.hypercolor.biz/
You seem to be covering a lot of diffrent areas lately, what are you working on? pm accepted.
You seem to be covering a lot of diffrent areas lately, what are you working on? pm accepted.
11-14-2007 | 11:28 PM
#3
RE: Ever used this method for home anodizing?
I've spent about 80 hours a week for the past two months developing improvements in the way I enjoy the hobby. In addition to developing the megabar further and developing my own strut system for it, as of this weekend, I'll have the old Mach 2 jets F-20 molds. I hope to have it developed over the winter and flying sometime in '08.
I don't know how many thousands I've invested over the past few months, but it is well over 5 on equipment, materials, and tooling. Home anodizing was just one of the next steps I'm taking
Going through this process, really really gives an appreciation to those who have gone down this road before me. It is time consuming, and thankless, the only thing I get out of it is enjoyment, and a product that is outstanding, and my own!
All the best, and thanks for the link.
I don't know how many thousands I've invested over the past few months, but it is well over 5 on equipment, materials, and tooling. Home anodizing was just one of the next steps I'm taking
Going through this process, really really gives an appreciation to those who have gone down this road before me. It is time consuming, and thankless, the only thing I get out of it is enjoyment, and a product that is outstanding, and my own!
All the best, and thanks for the link.
11-15-2007 | 02:44 AM
#4
My Feedback: (2)
RE: Ever used this method for home anodizing?
Hey Sean,
I'm not sure it can give you any strength increase, but it will make a locally hard surface which will be more abrasion resistant. It will also grow in size slightly, due to the thickness of the anodized layer, so consider the material buildup in tolerances on any mating bores, etc. Threads may also cause you some trouble, as the parts may tend to cold weld together and become more difficult to separate. Lastly, the part may become more prone to fatigue failure, but in terms of over loading the part will still experience plastic deformation at the same point vs. a non anodized part.
One important note though... A friend at work once made his own anodizing rig and made a variety of colours, only to find out that a lot of the stuff was considered highly carcinogenic. This was some time ago and the compounds may have changed, but it pays to be careful...
Kelly
I'm not sure it can give you any strength increase, but it will make a locally hard surface which will be more abrasion resistant. It will also grow in size slightly, due to the thickness of the anodized layer, so consider the material buildup in tolerances on any mating bores, etc. Threads may also cause you some trouble, as the parts may tend to cold weld together and become more difficult to separate. Lastly, the part may become more prone to fatigue failure, but in terms of over loading the part will still experience plastic deformation at the same point vs. a non anodized part.
One important note though... A friend at work once made his own anodizing rig and made a variety of colours, only to find out that a lot of the stuff was considered highly carcinogenic. This was some time ago and the compounds may have changed, but it pays to be careful...
Kelly
11-15-2007 | 02:56 AM
#5
RE: Ever used this method for home anodizing?
ORIGINAL: Kelly W
Hey Sean,
I'm not sure it can give you any strength increase, but it will make a locally hard surface which will be more abrasion resistant. It will also grow in size slightly, due to the thickness of the anodized layer, so consider the material buildup in tolerances on any mating bores, etc. Threads may also cause you some trouble, as the parts may tend to cold weld together and become more difficult to separate. Lastly, the part may become more prone to fatigue failure but in terms of over loading, the part will still experience plastic deformation at the same point vs a non anodized part.
One important note though... A friend at work once make his own anodizing rig and made a variety of colours, only to find out that a lot of the stuff was considered highly carcinogenic. This was some time ago, and the compounds may have changed, but it pays to be careful...
Kelly
Hey Sean,
I'm not sure it can give you any strength increase, but it will make a locally hard surface which will be more abrasion resistant. It will also grow in size slightly, due to the thickness of the anodized layer, so consider the material buildup in tolerances on any mating bores, etc. Threads may also cause you some trouble, as the parts may tend to cold weld together and become more difficult to separate. Lastly, the part may become more prone to fatigue failure but in terms of over loading, the part will still experience plastic deformation at the same point vs a non anodized part.
One important note though... A friend at work once make his own anodizing rig and made a variety of colours, only to find out that a lot of the stuff was considered highly carcinogenic. This was some time ago, and the compounds may have changed, but it pays to be careful...
Kelly
at last someone who sees how much work it is just to give it a nice fit and color.
indeed if you are not careful the material can even get weaker...
11-15-2007 | 02:59 AM
#6
RE: Ever used this method for home anodizing?
ORIGINAL: seanreit
I've spent about 80 hours a week for the past two months developing improvements in the way I enjoy the hobby.
I've spent about 80 hours a week for the past two months developing improvements in the way I enjoy the hobby.
.but some customer will even call you at 01.00 am and place a order , and say : oh i thought you where open 24/24.. they dont see the 24/24 by email..[:@]
11-15-2007 | 10:55 AM
#8
RE: Ever used this method for home anodizing?
Anodizing is another thing I want to try in the home shop, as well as nickel plating. Go for it Sean and let us know how it turns out.
Paul
Paul
11-15-2007 | 11:20 AM
#9
My Feedback: (24)
RE: Ever used this method for home anodizing?
Safety stuff -
Sean - Two words: GLOVES and respirator. Oh Heavy nitrile gloves (the black ones) made for chemicals; I'll see if I can get you a pair. Respirator would be organic vapor/acid gas cartridges with a pre-filter.
The Nickel Acetate is way not good for the skin and the Nicel Acetate is carcinogenic. If you can avoid it and use something else to sela the parts, I would.
I thought I saw somewhere somone was home brew anodizing parts with Rit dye; no kidding. All the chemicals used were hardware store stuff.
I've wanted to do this as well, but haven't got around to it yet.
Sean - Two words: GLOVES and respirator. Oh Heavy nitrile gloves (the black ones) made for chemicals; I'll see if I can get you a pair. Respirator would be organic vapor/acid gas cartridges with a pre-filter.
The Nickel Acetate is way not good for the skin and the Nicel Acetate is carcinogenic. If you can avoid it and use something else to sela the parts, I would.
I thought I saw somewhere somone was home brew anodizing parts with Rit dye; no kidding. All the chemicals used were hardware store stuff.
I've wanted to do this as well, but haven't got around to it yet.
11-15-2007 | 11:42 AM
#10
RE: Ever used this method for home anodizing?
Lots of anodizing info here and a place to ask questions.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/anodizing101/
Rit dye does work but fades quick in sunlight and does not get as vibrant or consistent of colors as the dyes made for anodizing.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/anodizing101/
Rit dye does work but fades quick in sunlight and does not get as vibrant or consistent of colors as the dyes made for anodizing.
11-15-2007 | 01:43 PM
#11
Senior Member
My Feedback: (36)
RE: Ever used this method for home anodizing?
THe company I work for supplies equipment to the plating and anodizing plants. Be aware that plating and anodizing is a very caustic operation. There are many enviromental concerns that has caused most of your smaller mom and pop operations to close. You cant just throw the solutins down the drain. You will proably find that getting rid of the used solutions is more costly than buying them. Just find a local anodizer or plater and he can do these very small runs for you and he generally knows what he is doing
11-15-2007 | 02:10 PM
#12
Senior Member
RE: Ever used this method for home anodizing?
ORIGINAL: jkeze
Just find a local anodizer or plater and he can do these very small runs for you and he generally knows what he is doing
Just find a local anodizer or plater and he can do these very small runs for you and he generally knows what he is doing
I get the impression that the process of doing it himself is what he finds most rewarding.
You Go Bro!
Paul
11-15-2007 | 04:48 PM
#14
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From: Bellevue, WA
RE: Ever used this method for home anodizing?
Hi Sean,
Kelly is correct- anodizing will not add any strength to aluminum. Whats important is selecting the correct alloy for the job since aluminum has a very broad spectrum of allowables. 6061 is used a lot because it is easy to machine and can be welded but it has very low allowables (strength)- in the aerospace business we called it ornamental aluminum.
That was an interesting and informative article. Let us know how it works if you decide to give it a try but like others have said be carefull with the chemicals.
Good Luck,
Al Watson
Kelly is correct- anodizing will not add any strength to aluminum. Whats important is selecting the correct alloy for the job since aluminum has a very broad spectrum of allowables. 6061 is used a lot because it is easy to machine and can be welded but it has very low allowables (strength)- in the aerospace business we called it ornamental aluminum.
That was an interesting and informative article. Let us know how it works if you decide to give it a try but like others have said be carefull with the chemicals.
Good Luck,
Al Watson
11-18-2007 | 03:27 AM
#15
RE: Ever used this method for home anodizing?
I have done some electrical work at anodisers & it's got to be the most corrosive, unpleasant environments around. I made a point of avoiding the nasty chemicals but just the invisible residue on everthing attacked the fabric of my clothes & turned my hands yellow. Be VERY careful - John,
- John,
