Who makes an anodizer that WORKS???

Dr.Lathe

Dr.Lathe

Joined
Aug 4, 1999
Messages
2,596
Hi everyone!!!

Today my second anodizer in as many years DIED!! FRIED!! DEAD!!!!
frown.gif


I've been using the ones that are made for controlling the micro mills and lathes variable speed motors. Made in GOD KNOWS WHERE out of RECYCLED JUNK, POS's!!!!! (sorry)
The first one I bought NEVER worked right from the begining. The second one worked OK but I could never get any really HOT looking colors out of it. I used to use a NICE power supply at my old job but one like that costs THOUSANDS!! I got good results with it though so I know my process is OK.
SO, What's the most bang for the buck as far as anodizers right now?? Anyone got one for sale??
Thanks in advance for your help,
Neil

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Talonite......Stellite
Hand Made Knives..High Tech Materials
blackwoodknives.com
 
Neil,
I have been using a Reactive Metals one for years. I went thru 3 homemade ones before I bought this unit. Sorry, I don't have the phone number handy.
 
Thanks guys,
I'm on the reactive metals mailing list and should probably just spend the money for theirs. I was hoping to find a less expensive......ALRIGHT.....CHEAPER way out
smile.gif
I mean hey, a lathe this month, a milling machine last month, an anodizer is NUTHIN'!!

Tom,
Thanks for the links! Is there one in particular that you have had good results from??

I appreciate your help.

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Talonite......Stellite
Hand Made Knives..High Tech Materials
blackwoodknives.com
 
Mike
I have had RM unit for 7 years . Been great.
Blew a few fuses
wink.gif

Thats about it though!
Its also great for gold, nickle, copper, and silver plating if you get the step down unit with it for lower voltages! Its a little more in cost but does the trick!


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Web Site At www.darrelralph.com
MADD MAXX !
 
Neil:

I got most of mine (I own several) off of eBay.

I think the Tech-Systems site looks best. (Tucker's prices are very close to retail!)

I'm now using a Sorenson 150-7 DCS and love it! (Got it off eBay a while back - N.O.S.) You can adjust it to within 0.1 volt for really accurate, repeatable colors.
smile.gif


www.sorensen.com

I also break out my little HP/Agilent .25 amp machine when I only need to do smaller parts like pocket clips. (It's accurate, too!)

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Tom Anderson
Hand Crafted Knives


www.andersoncustomknives.com
 
Hey there Doc,

All you need is an inexpensive Variac, a bridge rectifier and a couple of nickel and dime items. I bought two Variac's from e-bay for $30 and $35 respectively. Go to the tutorial at the link below and see how Jason Howell has his set up. He even gives the Radio Shack part number for the bridge rectifier (required to convert A/C to D/C). I have mine set up exactly like Jason's and it all cost me less than $50. There are a couple of Variac's on e-bay right now, an old one (search item number 1602273606) and a brand new one (search item number 1603703672) as well as some others. I just made sure I got 0-140V and 5 amps. Mounted it all in a box and started coloring. Let me know if this helps you out.

Bob

Go here for the anodize tutorial: http://pub42.ezboard.com/fcustomknifedirectoryforumfrm17.showMessage?topicID=54.topic

[This message has been edited by Bob Warner (edited 06-03-2001).]
 
Thanks guys!!

Now that I've calmed down and checked it out further..... I think that the only thing actualy FRIED is my bridge rectifier. I'm going to first try replacing it with the one mentioned in Jasons tutorial. I'm also going to buy a GOOD multimeter so I can do some troubleshooting AND have a meter that I can READ while I'm anodizing!!

Bob,
I'm on that forum often and never saw that tutorial!! I have everything set up and working well as far as the tank, etc. I just need a supply that WORKS properly!!

Tom,
Thanks for those links also. I checked out Ebay and there are quite a few of them on there.

Neil

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Talonite......Stellite
Hand Made Knives..High Tech Materials
blackwoodknives.com
 
BOB,

YOU ARE THE MAN
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I went to Radio Shack and bought the Bridge Rectifier as mentioned in the CKD Tutorial. MY SYSTEM WORKS!!!!! Better than EVER!!! I don't think I EVER had the right rectifier hooked up in either machine. I always got GREAT rainbow colors but always had trouble getting good solid colors. Now I have to learn how to use it all over again but that's FINE!!!
MUCH THANKS!! to you and everyone that replied. I'm a HAPPY CAMPER
wink.gif


One additional note.....Distilled water makes a BIG difference also. Our well filtered Florida water isn't bad but it's NOT the same!!

Neil

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Talonite......Stellite
Hand Made Knives..High Tech Materials
blackwoodknives.com
 
It could be that gators have an unusually virulent urine. In Montana summertime, they used to say that as long as you were half a mile downstream from the cattle that you had nothing to worry about. Didn't worry, loved the taste, and no Montezuma's Revenge type situations. (Of course that could be from preparing my system by drinking water from buffalo footprints in dried up rice paddies in Vietnam)

Anyhow, I'd be keerful of what is pissing in my drinking supply down there in that hot, muggy place with all kinds of bugs and gators and strange things.

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Asi es la vida

Bugs
 
Bugs,

The problem is that it's been SO dry here in Florida the Gators are moving into peoples swimming pools!! I'm still waiting for mine though, I could use some fancy leather and FINE DINING
smile.gif


Neil

------------------
Talonite......Stellite
Hand Made Knives..High Tech Materials
blackwoodknives.com
 
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