Anodizing Titanium

[precisionworks]

they came up with a 3 amp AC variable transformer

+1

Even at full retail, the price isn't bad. Add a full wave rectifier & you're set to go.

http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/SC-3M/3-AMP-VARIABLE-TRANSFORMER/-/1.html

http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/FWB-406WR/40-AMP-600-VOLT-BRIDGE-RECTIFIER/1.html

 

[McGizmo]

Precisionworks,
Nice rig linked there! :thumbsup:

 

[KuKu427]

This was done on 3 9V batteries and coke. Took about 5 minutes from start to finish.
No where as nice as some of the stuff posted here. But it's a pretty neat project.
Any idea how to get the anodizing off so I can try some other color/design?

 

[Superdave]

Wow, some great stuff in this thread. I might have to try a few things here at work. I have a 60V variable DC power supply and several others.. even a 13.8/20A supply.

 

[oregon]

Any idea how to get the anodizing off so I can try some other color/design?

Any rubbing compound, paste with abrasive, will remove anodization film.

Nice work! Thank you kindly for showing it.

oregon

 

[KuKu427]

Thanks for the tip oregon! But I hesitate to use abrasives in case I mess up the nice clean edges on the knurling. Is there a chemical process that would be less damaging to the original metal than mechanical processes?

 

[oregon]

Thanks for the tip oregon! But I hesitate to use abrasives in case I mess up the nice clean edges on the knurling. Is there a chemical process that would be less damaging to the original metal than mechanical processes?

The layer of anodization is incredibly thin, only a few molecules thick. I would use a fine automotive polishing paste and a tooth brush to have the original finish restored in minutes.

I don't know of any safe and convenient chemicals to remove the thin, but very hard, layer of titanium oxide.

I think it looks fine.

What you need is more titanium!

oregon

 

[KuKu427]

Don't give me an excuse to anodize my supply of Ti tubes. LOL :naughty:
I'll try the polish out and see if it works. Thanks again

 

[McGizmo]

I used to buy a chemical called No-San from somewhere back east. It is a hydrofluoric acid substitute that can and well etch away the oxide film on the titanium. Because it is an etch, it leaves the surface dull and similar to what you would get with a fine bead blast. I don't know if the stuff is still available or not. Fine media bead blasting is probably your best approach as it will be more consistent in removing the film evenly across the surface. It can take the sharp edge off the knurl diamonds though.

 

[oregon]

9V batteries, in series, and a small paintbrush dipped in diet cola did the ano on the chamfered index holes of this BM Butterfly knife. Any anodization slopover, outside of the holes, was removed with polishing compound and a cloth (the paste I used was from the UK, used it to work on my old airhead, forget the name and can't find the tube, great stuff).

Sidebar: I used my new DC power supply and quickly melted my paintbrush, synthetic bristles, anodizing this way! I need some natural bristle brushes for the higher voltage work, I guess, along with quicker strokes and a lighter touch.

oregon

 

[KuKu427]

 

[exodus125]

Here are a few pictures of some pieces I heat anodized today.

 

[KuKu427]

Typhoon day in Taiwan, no work, no stores open... No better time to re-anodize my light!:naughty::naughty::naughty:
It was purple, now its teal... 5 9volt batteries and good old coca cola.

 

[kaichu dento]

Typhoon day in Taiwan, no work, no stores open... No better time to re-anodize my light!:naughty::naughty::naughty:
It was purple, now its teal... 5 9volt batteries and good old coca cola.

Kuku,

Can I have that one?!? :huh:

 

[Zeruel]

Typhoon day in Taiwan, no work, no stores open... No better time to re-anodize my light!:naughty::naughty::naughty:
It was purple, now its teal... 5 9volt batteries and good old coca cola.

Did you anodize over the original purple? Or did you manage to remove the purple first before doing it in teal?

 

[KuKu427]

Kuku,

Can I have that one?!? :huh:

Kaichu, Sorry! That's my personal light and it's not for sale. Another thing is that it's a little splotchy in places. I don't think I did a good enough job to sell it.
But here is a high-resolution picture for ya! :twothumbs
www.expandku.com/lf2xtiteal3.jpg

Did you anodize over the original purple? Or did you manage to remove the purple first before doing it in teal?

Zeruel,
I took the purple anodizing off with a scouring pad. It got just about everything except what was in the grooves of the knurling. Then I anodized it at 18V and got a really ugly brown/purple. Then I went to 5x9V and got this color. You don't need to take off anodizing that was on there already if you plan to go over it with a higher voltage.

 

[KuKu427]

Finally! Even uniform color!

 

[oregon]

Beautiful! The terrific blue really comes across in the photo. Very attractive. Did you do this in the dark with the power off?

Was there much damage from the storm?

oregon

 

[KuKu427]

Thank you! I've rather proud of it. :twothumbs

There isn't much damage in my neck of the woods... not even a power outage. But the news says the south got hit with some heavy flooding.

 

[oregon]

You don't have much protection where you are, an Island, from a Typhoon. The stormy season must be challenging.

Funny, to me anyway, I have this mental image of you as Dr. Frankenstein with the anodization target on a platform that you raise into the stormy night sky so that lightning can strike it. Lightning anodized! Something you don't see everyday. It would probably melt the Ti.

I would like to see a "quick color kit" for sale to the Ti anodization enthusiast. You know, everything you need in a mailable pkg.

Did you use the bath or brush method on your light?

oregon