AR Sponsor
Posted: 6/12/2013 1:01:37 PM EDT
| Any suggestions for getting a couple of finished 80% lowers Type III anodized? I contacted US Anodizing, but they're too busy right now to take any "non-production" work (and no idea of when they might be able to take it). Anyone know of any other FFL anodizers? I'm hoping to avoid buying an anodizing kit because I'm not sure when or even if I'll need it again afterwards. |
|
you can do type II with a couple home depot buckets, some battery acid, and a battery charger. dye black with a heated super-saturated RIT dye bath.
i made a nice setup with agitation for the acid bath for pretty cheap. i welded up a cathode bracket that held the receiver horizontally, and has excellent contact/conductivity so it anodized correctly. i can take pics of the bracket and some details/measurements if you want to go that route. i forget off the top of my head :D |
|
Pioneer metal finishing
From what I understand, they do work on lowers for a few very well known AR companies, as well as Leupold. I don't know if they do one-off jobs, but they know how to do it right, so it would be worth a call. |
|
Quoted:
you can do type II with a couple home depot buckets, some battery acid, and a battery charger. dye black with a heated super-saturated RIT dye bath. i made a nice setup with agitation for the acid bath for pretty cheap. i welded up a cathode bracket that held the receiver horizontally, and has excellent contact/conductivity so it anodized correctly. i can take pics of the bracket and some details/measurements if you want to go that route. i forget off the top of my head :D Pics and dimensions would be great! How much money do you think you have in your setup? From where did you get the acid, and how much did you need? Quoted:
Pioneer metal finishing From what I understand, they do work on lowers for a few very well known AR companies, as well as Leupold. I don't know if they do one-off jobs, but they know how to do it right, so it would be worth a call. Thanks for the links. Do either of them have an FFL? I didn't see it mentioned on their web sites. But, I'll send them an email and see if they can do it. |
|
http://www.surfacetechnique.com/metal-plating-services/metal-anodizing.htm
Metal Anodizing Services MIL-A-8625 Type II, Class 1 Clear MIL-A-8625 Type II, Class 2 (Specify Color) MIL-A-8625 Type III, Class 1 Hard MIL-A-8625 Type II, III, Class 1 or 2 Hard W/O or W/Color MIL-A-63576 A & AMS 2482A Hard Clear with PTFE AMS 2471 & AMS 2472 |
|
Quoted:
Thanks for the links. Do either of them have an FFL? I didn't see it mentioned on their web sites. But, I'll send them an email and see if they can do it. I'm assuming that Pioneer has an FFL. This is second hand info, but I was told that they do anodizing for Aero and Noveske, so I have to imagine they have the license to do it. That could also vary by location too, since they have multiple shops. Edit; Their Oregon, Minnesota, Wisconsin and South Carolina locations list having an FFL. |
|
Updates:
Pioneer Metal Finishing: "I'm sorry, but we do not work with individuals on personal projects. We only work with established companies." Midwestern Anodizing does not do Type III anodize. Armor Anodizing will do Type III anodizing. However, they want $135 per lower for Type III black anodize (US Anodizing is only $50 per lower). Also, I heard back from US Anodizing, and they are currently estimating they may be able to take small jobs in another couple of months or so. Need to decide if I want to wait, to overpay, or to just buy my own anodizing kit. |
I say do your own. I got used power supply for 60 bucks and the basic kit from Ron Newman. Couple 10 dollar adjustable Walmart fish tank heaters, found trick to get them to make 150 degrees. Battery acid from Napa some lye at the hobby shop to etch. Cathode led plates from caswell 11 bucks each. As long as you have a place with plenty ventilation and buckets to seal them, the solution should last years as long as you do not contaminate. I mean its the cheaper route not the cheapest and since my 80 lower not done, I got friends parts I/we get to experiment with. Whoops that will cost you a beer haha oh and explanations to what happened to the crock pot and the large stainless pot.... Hmmm you had them last honey I don't touch your stuff 
|
|
http://www.homedepot.com/p/6-qt-Battery-Acid-for-Basement-Watchdog-Standby-Batteries-Z-Pack/100136419#.UbpaHczD-Hs
that's the acid I used. mixed it 50/50 with deionized water to get the proper solution. all in all, I spent maybe $60 in parts and acid, and used a battery charger I already have. I used a garbage-found hotplate to heat the dye bath and to boil seal the lower. I basically followed vaderspade's anodizing guide (a quick google search will find it---very informative!!) I etched it with vinegar/salt/battery charger and stencils I cut myself (I have a vinyl cutter). i'll try to get the pics and dimensions up for you tomorrow. it was a fun project!! |
AR Sponsor