Anodizing

[donhuff]

I've been trying my hand at anodizing the last couple of weeks on some of my homemade rocket motor parts. I'm getting mixed results, but for the most part, they turn out ok. And even if they don't, you can strip it back off and try again.

So I was in the reloading shack looking for my favorite screwdriver, and I spotted this blackhawk grip frame that I had replaced on my 45 colt. I bought a stainless "hunter" frame and put it on the old gun to finally, after shooting it for 30+ years, finally I can get all three fingers up on the grip instead of having my pinkie dangling off of the bottom. Also, I wanted the stainless to add some weight to the gun to try and tame down the recoil. Not that I load it all that heavy (KH) but with those big holes in the barrel and cylinder, there just isn't much steel left to add to the weight. Plus, I like the shiny handle too.

So I stripped the black off and got it ready to "cook" in the acid bath, but was unsure of how the cast part would as some aluminum does not anodize all that well. It came out of the get ready stage looking very porous. My fears all went away as soon as I put it into the dye as it soaked it up like a sponge. I need to go get some bright blue dye, since I now have another extra black grip frame laying on the table. Also gonna see what I can do to make the next one a little less dull.

[Ranch Dog]

Good work Don! I sure wanted to dabble in anodizing when I started my venture, I wanted to anodize the scope base starting with those for the 92. Any chance of getting pictures of your setup for the bath?

Going to move this to our "DIY" forum don...

[donhuff]

you would be disappointed if I sent a picture. I cut the top off of a gallon vinegar jug and put the cathodes in it and have the parts dangling in the solution by a piece of welding wire.

It's really back yard engineered.

[Ranch Dog]

you would be disappointed if I sent a picture. I cut the top off of a gallon vinegar jug and put the cathodes in it and have the parts dangling in the solution by a piece of welding wire.

It's really back yard engineered.

Dude, there is nothing wrong with that!

[donhuff]

I did get a blue one done, I'll go snag a pic of the "tank" too.

[donhuff]

latest pictures

[akuser47]

Cool thanks for sharing

[Kiwi-Hunter]

Good work my friend, and when are you coming over? as we have wheel weights here as well.
KH

[mr surveyor]

Don

Does that use the same type cathode/anode parts that are used in the home made barrel cleaning tub?

And try to resist KH's w/w bait ... I found out that $35 won't cover the gas money


JD

[Ranch Dog]

This is something I will dabble with once retired!