First go at anodising ali – cathode material?

This topic has 5 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 6 December 2017 at 23:20 by Robin Graham.

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2 December 2017 at 20:25 #330226
Robin Graham
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@robingraham42208
I've got a couple of solid cylindrical (in the 'spherical cow' sense) aluminium parts which I would like to black anodise. They are about 3" long by 1.5" diameter.

There's a lot of stuff on t'internet about DIY anodising, The most popular cathode material seems to be lead, but there are also articles recommending stainless steel. I have several cheapo SS cooking pots which I use around the workshop for various purposes, so I'm wondering if I can use one of these to double as the anodising vessel and the cathode? Anyone tried this?

Rob
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2 December 2017 at 20:25 #8985
Robin Graham
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@robingraham42208
2 December 2017 at 20:32 #330228
Clive Hartland
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@clivehartland94829
One anodising place I used had Tin cathodes and he used Titanium holders to support the jobs.
3 December 2017 at 17:42 #330355
Jon
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@jon
Havent done any anodising since 2006 not worth the effort in space taken up. Back then a closely guarded secret only 3 gave any knowledge and all told porkies. Quite different now theres dozens of write ups.

Much prefer to get a pro job done by one of a few places nationally that care and know what theyre doing, theres a good 90% dont care often scrapping weeks of work.

Current anodisers do work for JLR amongst others have lead lined baths and loads of steel based jigs with titanium spring clips. Just getting 6 weeks of work ready to drop in next Monday collect the following day approx 62 one off parts.

Do have a mate thats just setup to do basic anodisng but can only do mop polished items and leave an 80% gloss finish. Takes a good anodiser to brighten evenly bead blasted parts to a satin to gloss finish, many scrap the parts or lose entirely.
3 December 2017 at 18:36 #330363
V8Eng
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@v8eng
There has been quite a lot of coverage on this forum before now, they might be worth a read through.

If you put anodising into the search box above your first post (leave the all topics bit on) they will be listed.

Hope this might help.

Edited By V8Eng on 03/12/2017 18:37:49
6 December 2017 at 23:20 #330809
Robin Graham
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@robingraham42208
Thanks for your comments. I have had a look at the discussions on this site and elsewhere, but haven't found anything germane to my question about using a stainless steel tank as the cathode. Perhaps because it doesn't work! I'll suck it and see.

Probably I should just farm the job out, but for sure I'm not the only one here who gets a kick out of doing stuff at home if possible.

As an aside I looked in my acids cupboard and found the concentrated sulphuric, which was supplied in a plastic (polyethylene?) bottle had turned coal black – I shall dispose of that! With care obviously. Next lot will be in a glass Winchester bottle.

Cheers, Rob

Edited By Robin Graham on 06/12/2017 23:20:45
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