[Chunkstyle]

hi guys --

i was wondering if anyone could please answer a couple of questions. i've done some research & read caswell's lcd anodizing manual, but am still somewhat in the dark. i'd appreciate any info you could offer.

1. i'm gathering that lcd anodizing is not the same thing as the "slap it in the acid with a battery charger attached" method i've seen on a lot of other sites.
does caswell have a manual or hints that deal with anodizing using an automatic battery charger? i'm asking because this one item i'm hoping to anodize red will possibly be the only thing i ever anodize, and i can't justify spending a lot on it.

2. is the above method workable, or is it a disaster waiting to happen? any tips? i'm pretty much clear on understanding the need for complete cleanliness, degreasing, really good electrical contact at the anode, dyeing, sealing etc. the shape of these parts (bmx bicycle brake arms) is highly irregular, and it'll be tough to come up with a surface area figure that's even close. i'd break the part up into theoretical chunks, calculate each part & add them together, but even that'd leave a lot of room for slop, due to complex curves, etc.

3. if the battery charger thing isn't a good idea, is there some easy & cheap way to come up with a constant current power supply that'd work? i remember seeing some guy having posted about using the power supply out of a printer, but as far as i know, he didn't say what kind or how he had to modify it.


thank you!