Cost of anodizing an aluminum chassis

[Viscount]

Does anyone have any experience anodizing a relatively large chassis (I'm using the Hammond aluminum 17x10x3)? How much can I expect to pay, roughly, for a local shop to do it? Morgan Jones suggests the cost is very reasonable in one of his books, but doesn't give any figures.

[phaselag]

If you can find the right shop, it should be under $20.

paul

[miklos]

Where is your local? Here in Toronto would cost you ca. 50 bucks.

[Viscount]

Thanks! That range seems reasonable.

Originally Posted by miklos

Where is your local? Here in Toronto would cost you ca. 50 bucks.

I'm in Ottawa, but I travel to Toronto frequently. Do you have a shop you can recommend? I'm looking at basic black, type II anodizing. (I'll prep it with 100 grit sandpaper for a brushed look, as people have suggested in another thread.)

[bear]

Be very very careful about what you use to "prep" that chassis!!

The wrong abrasive and you have junk there.
Also, there is no prep whatsoever that will hide imperfections when something is anodized - they climb right back out of nowhere and show up.

Use a grit that is 2-3 grades coarser than the finish you want. The chassis will get etched first,
and that will substantially reduce the coarseness...

Also if you want the chassis to be color stable, you need to make certain that the anodize is "sealed". That costs a little extra. Tell them it will get hot. They will tell you what to use... standard anodize is just "water sealed", which is NG for electronics stuff.

Consider powder coating - it hides.

_-_-bear

[miklos]

Originally Posted by Viscount

Thanks! That range seems reasonable.



I'm in Ottawa, but I travel to Toronto frequently. Do you have a shop you can recommend? I'm looking at basic black, type II anodizing. (I'll prep it with 100 grit sandpaper for a brushed look, as people have suggested in another thread.)

Try this outfit:

Progressive Anodizers - Anodizing in East Toronto Ontario - Goldbook.ca

Brushing aluminium is not an easy process, if you want it look good.