DIY carbidizer/anodizer power supply question

[Britt_Askew]

I have read some threads and watched some videos and most of what I see are people using an AC variac then using a combination of bridge rectifiers/capacitors/resistors to convert the power to DC.

Is there a reason to do it that way instead of just buying a DC power supply like this one ?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Adjustable...702217?hash=item56e9eb57c9:g:siMAAOSwnWlfknZY
or this one if you want the extra color options for anodizing?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Adjustable...248423?hash=item1a5ff82827:g:ApoAAOSwZKBZHqSy

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

On a glance the biggest issue with the second one is it is only 1 amp output. The first is 5 amps.

Best setup is a 5 or 10 amp 120 volt variac (variable transformer) with a rectifier bridge added so you can get 0-120VAC as well as 0-120VDC.