Aluminum anodizing small batch

[quadrate]

I made a bunch of Paul Young style sliding bands and would like to get them anodized black or if anyone has any other suggestions on a way the blacken them. Seems like it wouldn't be a big deal to piggyback anodizing them with someone that did a large anodizing order. Anyone have any suggestions where to possibly get this done?

Tim Zietak

[dave49]

It is rather a big deal to get a batch of small parts anodized. The anodizer has to build a "rack" that will suspend all the parts in the acid solution while providing a path for dc current to each. At the contact points, there will be a small area that does not become anodized, so this point has to be in a location that is hidden. If the contact pressure is not sufficient, then the part may lose contact and the process fails. For sliding bands, I think you would want some sort of spring clip that touches just the inner diameter. Or perhaps the ring itself can provide the needed spring action, so the rack can be rigid metal.
The rack can be made of titanium or aluminum. If aluminum, then it also becomes anodized during the process. This coating can be stripped away by soaking in a lye solution so that an aluminum rack is re-usable.
Since you are able to machine things, I suggest that you build the rack yourself. But first visit the anodizer's shop and find out his needs for the holding the rack. Do not use steel screws on the rack. You can get small titanium screws from a supplier to the R/C model car community, or make aluminum screws yourself.
I hope that you did not make your bands from alloy 2024; it contains copper and does not anodize well.
I lived for several years in northern Michigan and there was no anodizer close, so I undertook to do the process myself. https://northbranchreels.com/category/p ... ngplating/

[bluesjay]

Hi Guys, It shouldn't a lot of $$$.

https://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/g ... ng-145796/

https://www.jetskicnc.com/product/custom-anodize/

Should be some local shops.

Jay Edwards

[avyoung]

You can anodize yourself unless you're after hard anodizing. Lots on YouTube.

tony

[quadrate]

Thanks for the info. I found a place that will be able to do the bands I want done.