Small-run anodizing?

[BellaCroix]

I've found a couple how-to's showing how to anodize aluminum in my garage but don't really want to play around with acid and electricity - I'm a little clumsy and can see the yellow hazmat truck pulling up right behing the coroner's waggon.

Does anyone know of any companies that do custom anodizing? Especially ones that don't look at geeks weird? It'd be great if they were in the Cleveland, Ohio area but not necessary. It'd also be good to not have to take a loan on my car to pay for it.

I'm looking to have a couple internal parts from a Lian-Li case done (drive cages, motherboard tray, etc) as well as a couple custom fabricated brackets (all small).

 

[Arcygenical]

Awe. Too bad. I'm moving down to Kent, Ohio next September and I do all kinds of smalltime anodizing myself aha.

But, It's REALLY not that difficult! Most of the acids come pre-mixed... And you can use an old ATX psu for the voltage.

Alas, I can't help you find an actual anodizer though. Yellowpages?

 

[BellaCroix]

Awe. Too bad. I'm moving down to Kent, Ohio next September and I do all kinds of smalltime anodizing myself aha.

Kent? I'm down there every month. Interested in suplimenting your tuition?

Actually September is a little late.. by then I hope to be cutting wires and figuing out how to mount a molex connector on the rear of a MoBo.

Pre-mixed? Is it that easy? How much would the chemicals cost for a single run of a dozen parts? Don't I have to ruin an oven in the process? PM me with what you know (or if you'd like to make a couple bucks). Any pics of what you've done?

 

[Deleted member 80813]

Instructions and supplies here.

 

[BellaCroix]

Instructions and supplies here.

Thanks for the linkie, that one is a lot more detailed than the others I'd already bookmarked.

Seems like it'd be a good garage business for some industrious modder out there looking to make a couple bucks here and there. Noone knows anyone, hu? I may have to just suck it up and start talking to the Harley riders in the area to see where they've gotten their work done - God I hate talking computers with those guys.

Noone can save me the embarassment of talking to the Harley guys or the risk of melting off my face trying to do it myself?

 

[c.d.e]

Thanks for the linkie, that one is a lot more detailed than the others I'd already bookmarked.

Seems like it'd be a good garage business for some industrious modder out there looking to make a couple bucks here and there. Noone knows anyone, hu? I may have to just suck it up and start talking to the Harley riders in the area to see where they've gotten their work done - God I hate talking computers with those guys.

Noone can save me the embarassment of talking to the Harley guys or the risk of melting off my face trying to do it myself?

Look up metal fab shops and ask them.

Plus, I think I remember seeing a couple of guides on anodizing and coloring metals using just acid + different voltages. Titanium is like that. Cocacola + car battery + short time = colored titanium parts.

 

[brighenne]

Here is a list of people who will do small runs(most cater to the paintball community, but should be able to do case parts): http://www.pbnation.com/showthread.php?t=782596I'd probably look at 125customs, they're probably going to be the most reasonable.

 

[BellaCroix]

Here is a list of people who will do small runs(most cater to the paintball community, but should be able to do case parts): http://www.pbnation.com/showthread.php?t=782596I'd probably look at 125customs, they're probably going to be the most reasonable.

Thanks a TON! I've sent a couple e-mails out with descriptions of what I'm looking to have done, hopefully I'll get a decent quote from one of the companies.

Since they do paintball guns I'm sure they're used to small run orders, hopefully they'll be able to handle a 24"x8" sheet.

If so, I'll be set to order the case, strip and mod the parts, and start this build. The anodizing is the only thing that's kept me from ordering the first round of parts: if I can't find an anodizing shop that can take care of everything for a reasonable price I'll have to rethink the build.