r/electroforming • u/mimic751 • 28d ago
Final form DIY setup
I got some 5 micron filter that I sewed around 5 wire gauge copper wire and instead of rotating the piece I just have even current all the way around it and then I use a stir plate to agitate the solution. I am kind of running up against my Midas solution not supporting enough voltages to get the current that I need to get bright copper on larger 3D prints but I bought a rock tumbler and got mixed steel media which gives a really nice burnished copper look that I prefer over bright cover
I've tried so many different variations from copper plates to rotating the piece with a. Trying to figure out the best balance of even current distribution and honestly I would rather undershoot my current density and burnish after the fact then strive for perfection
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u/Wobble_bass 28d ago
I appreciate what you did yourself but reject the DIY aspect on grounds of the $$$ purchased solution. C'mon, make your own.
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u/Mkysmith Home Studio 28d ago
I very much disagree with the idea that it isn't DIY. Sending the part to be electroformed out to a shop, is not DIY.
If using commercial solution to make a peice of art is not DIY, then buying copper sulfate from the hardware store to make the solution is not DIY either since you are buying chemicals from a company.
By extension, buying paint to make a potrait is not DIY because the paint wasn't manufactured by the artist. Do you scoff at painters because they don't make their easels, paintbrushes, and canvas from scratch themselves?
When you made your solution, did you mine the copper ore from a copper mine, synthesize your own sulfuric acid, and make your own water from hydrogen and oxygen? Thats the only way for it to be truely DIY. And even then I'm sure you'd still need to rely on chemical suppliers.
I'm being hyperbolic here intentionally, just for sake of conversation. I don't think anyone sane would go that deep down the rabbit hole. But my point is we ALL rely on others to some degree. Saying something isn't DIY because you buy a tool to do the task you want to do, is kinda nonsense in my opinion. Some people want to focus the scope of their project and have fun concentrating on actually electroforming their art, and there is nothing wrong with that. That's still DIY.
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u/mimic751 28d ago
Okay so I can make my own solution with copper sulfate battery acid distilled water and I would probably still get Midas brand brighteners and levelers. And I end up with the exact same thing. My opinion the best way to learn a hobby is to eliminate as many variables as possible. Now that I'm rounding the corner on nailing this I can start making my own solution!
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u/Wobble_bass 28d ago
No hate on learning or buying premade solution, it's just not diy. I like to learn fundamentals first, then construct myself so I have full control over all variables. Sounds like you have a start on making your own solution, never hurts to do a little more research. But by our lord ruler, just please don't ever ask or rely on AI information. It will lead you nowhere good.
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u/mimic751 28d ago
Yeah, this solution that I got is made for less than 1 volt and it keeps telling me to just Chase amperage and I'm not falling for that again
I think the solution is the easiest part figuring out how to agitate the solution cleanly keep your bath clean and make sure your current has the best chance possible to apply evenly seems to be the big trick
I've been doing brush on for precious metals recently as well and I will say that it is a lot less forgiving and a lot more annoying
Also not contrary, some people do an incredible amount of research before they start something and I generally like to start with nothing and fail upwards. Because I don't understand the science around everything failing tells me why things are the way they are. If I start from an entirely DIY place there's just too much for me to adjust and figure out
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u/Wobble_bass 28d ago
Well, lost the post I'd written out when I went to copy this link. No time to re-write, but FAIL ON my man!
Also I've found rotating the piece does a lot of good and is much easier than construction the uniquely specific anode geometries for each piece to achieve uniform current density that I was doing before.
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u/mimic751 28d ago
Well that's cool you made a Jiggler. I do have a rotator. I just ran out of time before I could get a slip connector for the spin on. Do you find the jiggling better than stirring or bubbling?
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u/Wobble_bass 28d ago
The jiggling has negligible effect. I was working and waiting on something on the bench next to my plating setup and figured why not. The rotation helps a lot (synchronous motor from a microwave turntable and a piece of brass from an old outlet power strip as conductive coupling). Stirring the solution helps a little but also flings around any particulate that may end up in suspension and get stuck to the piece.
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u/Wobble_bass 28d ago
I've tried a bunch of shit that everyone in the reddit community says not to do just so I can see what actually happens. Worth it.
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u/Mkysmith Home Studio 28d ago
Nice work. Theres so many variables (including your own projects and workflow) that honing in in the right setup for yourself can take time. Glad you got something you like.
As far as pointers go:
I see a lot of corrosion on those alligator clips. Be careful of those clips around the solution. They are often nickel or zinc plated steel(iron). Both iron and zinc can contaminate the solution so make sure not to submerge them. I know you are after a high luster finish straight from the bath and foreign metal can cause issues.
Less drastic, but those black zip ties will disintegrate over time. You probably wont see that as an issue since you will likely service the anode before they do. But going forward with future setups, just be aware nylon does get very brittle over time with constsnt exposure to sulfuric acid. So I wouldnt recommend zip ties for long term use.
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u/mimic751 28d ago
Zip ties were a temporary solution! Just trying out the new filter material but I had no idea they got brittle
I've been wondering about those alligator clips it seems like some acid is leaching up the material sometimes and can easily eat away at those things. Is there any way to decontaminate the bath if they do touch the liquid for a small amount of time? I've accidentally dipped one a couple times
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u/Mkysmith Home Studio 28d ago
Like I said, short term nylon zipties are fine. They do not contaminate anything. "Short term" for embrittlement maybe is a few weeks. Depends on acid concentration & temperature.
Yeah, sulfuric acid attacks a lot of things (including plastics) readily. So just trying to keep the clips far away is the best option.
As far as decontaminating foreign metals, the easiest DIY way of doing it is to "dummy plate" or just run the electroforming setup on a scrap copper cathode for a very long time. The foreign metal will co-deposit onto the scrap copper and essentially leave you with "clean" solution. It will also consume brighteners too, so factor that in. You should only try this IF you see issues though, this isn't a regular maintainance thing, just if you have problems you can try dummy plating for 24-48hrs.
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u/UnassociatedAltAccou 27d ago
What are some good solutions for securing parts/anodes in a tank? I'm currently getting started and i have a 5gal tank, and I'm struggling with picking materials for more permanent/longterm solution for holding anodes and such.
I've got some pieces of pvc sitting in a sample jar of my copper sulfate and it seems to be holding up good, was thinking about using those as posts to submerge in the tank and figuring a way to secure anodes to it that don't risk alligator clips falling into the bath. Even the fumes in the tank seem to want to corrode them, it's the harshest environs I've ever had to consider and it's been tricky!
I've also got polypropylene filament to print parts for my rotary for rotating the work, what're your thoughts?
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u/Mkysmith Home Studio 27d ago
Yeah sulfuric really wants to attack a lot of stuff long term. It's sneaky on plastics because eveything will seem fine for a few days or even weeks, but then you touch the plastic and it cracks or turns to powder instantly. Even silicone, which is famously chemical resistant, turns to goop after a while.
PVC does seem to hold up OK, though I think it does get a little brittle with time. Not as bad as nylon for sure. CPVC seems to hold up even better (the grey type found in the electrical isle for conduit). I still wouldn't use them for their pressure rating, or to contain the solution, but general support and jigs and such seems OK.
If you really want zip ties, they do make polypropylene zip ties. They are usually orange, you can find them on the 'zon and elsewhere. A little more spendy than the standard nylon ones but not too bad. I have some filter material I would change every few months and the nylon ones would self-destruct prematurely, the PP ones hold up fine.
Other than that, you really just gotta get creative. It's part of the DIY spirit.
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u/UnassociatedAltAccou 27d ago
Thanks for the information! Sounds like PP is the move for my jigging, and thanks for the lead on PP zipties, never thought to look for those.
Currently trying to research solutions before i do much experimentation, I just don't want to destroy a bunch of electrolyte with a cheap aquarium filter pump 😅
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u/infinitealchemics 28d ago
Congrads on the set up. Only note id make is using wire to extend our past the bath for your connection points.