I have to agree with Fibergeek that beginners would be doing themselves a favor to stick with his connection recommended methods until basic success is achieved, then move on to alternatives if desired. If as many variables as possible are controlled, it leaves less room for failure.
Essentially there are only a few basic steps to good anodizing:
parts that are properly cleaned
applying the proper current for the right amount of time
proper electrolyte solution
dying (if so desired)
Like most everything else, it's the details rather than the basic steps that spell success or failure. Of all the steps, I have found the electrical part to be the most important one. I used harder aluminum wire (6061) also for a while to make bent spring clip type connections on parts that had no appropriate holes. It works if done carefully like Elton can attest, but is has more potential for failure. Except for alloys such as tempered 7075 aluminum, there isn’t a high degree “springiness” (compared to spring grade Titanium) so it is easy for a connection that starts out adequate to be degraded by handling.
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