Finishing service

[Erik]

I love the range of products and services from this place. I have a general question to pose; I like the looks of different metals, but I know aluminum is the most convenient of the metals to work with as far as machining, steel cuts it like butter! Yet I was wondering if anyone knew of a place to get parts plated or anodized? I'd love to have a bunch of custom emitters made by Tim and have them come in a chrome or anodized brass finish! Any thoughts or suggestions?

-Erik in CT

[Jedi Ranger]

Nickle-plating also looks SWEEET!!!!

I'd also love to find some options for "after-market" finishing.

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[Tenric Starkindler]

there are a number of good quality metal paints available that will allow you a good range of choice.
also the spray on version of "Plasti-Dip" can work wonders for grip material like PVC or to give a shroud that "sithy" look...

Reality often interferes with what would otherwise be an idyllic delusion.

[xwingband]

I haven't found a good source yet but look up epoxy paint. It's what randomsabers uses to mock up other finishes on their cheaper stunt sabers.

I have only been able to find locally black, white and beige. It makes sense since I believe it's main use is on appliances (it was labeled for that). It bonds well to metals and dries to a hardness much like nail polish.

Anodizing is nice but I think it's hard to do in the quanities we are looking at. The process is very similar to making explosives so it's highly regulated (or so I hear).

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[Devilstar2k2]

Google the words 'paintball anodizing', and you will get ALOT of results for ano at fairly decent prices. [:)]

[xwingband]

You must have more money than the majority of us... because the prices I see aren't that great. I'm also not sure if those paintball places would take our little parts too. Might be worth a try...

I found this while looking around:
http://www.warpig.com/paintball/technical/anodize.shtml

The initial cost seems too much to do it on our own but for someone like Tim that might deal in a higher volumes it might be worthwhile.

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[tetmatek]

Any type paint will stick to the surfaces I've seen used so far for hilts when prepped properly. I Paint cars and they contain every substrate that could be used on saber hilts. Epoxy does not have to come in colors it can be bought as a primer or the best would be an acid etch (all available in aerosol). I use a product from a co. called UPOLD the primer is called Acid #8. If you Need to fill some sand scratches from possibly molding in parts use HIGH #5. Use some ventilation or you'll become as high as 5 jedi. I Will be painting a custom hilt soon with color changing pigments using what i have told you all to use as undercoats. Since I can used Base/Clear and bake my parts I'll be spraying the rest with automotive finishes. If you want to see the baddest in effects paint hit this link www.alsacorp.com . They sell the most exotic finishes avail. right now. Beleive me i have seen this stuff live and it is the BOMB!!!

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/3213/sig35jo.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[tetmatek]

With Tim's use of Aluminum in the Mods Anodizing can be "faked pretty good using the tint for candy colors. Again spray cans galore for this as well. Just remember preparation is the key to paint. Anybody needing help in that area can email or IM me with any special questions concerning paint and paint prep on yor surface. Keep in mind when using spray cans the paint is thinned a 100 times more than any other type paint so it will atomize out of the tiny hole in the button on the can so thinner coats will achieve your desired look without sags or runs and will dry faster. So don't get upset if it takes 6-7 coats to cover cause if you run it you sand it off and start over.

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/3213/sig35jo.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[xwingband]

I don't think sticking is so much my concern as staying. I don't want it to chip of if I push too hard with my nails or something equally lame.[:D]

Does prep really help with that?

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[Devilstar2k2]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by xwingband

You must have more money than the majority of us... because the prices I see aren't that great. I'm also not sure if those paintball places would take our little parts too. Might be worth a try...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Heh... I wish I had some money... Any money...

But yeah, batch ano on smaller parts would be cheaper overall. I had seen a site that was $12 per part + shipping (non-batch work). I'll see if I can dig it up for you guys then.


EDIT-

I'm pretty sure that this was the place, but the site is down for now.

www.precisionpb.com

[tetmatek]

Yes that is why it stays on your car like it does. I know everybody gets rock chips but I don't think your finger nails will impact like a pebble a t 60 - 70 MPH. Your car gets hit by way more than the amount of chips it actually gets. I m not saying it's indestructable but used in conjunction with other decorations you'll be suprised. Maybe I should start selling various painted blanks.LOL

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/3213/sig35jo.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Strydur]

I have toyed with the idea of getting setup to do anodizing. It would be logical to add the service but I dont see it happening anytime soon.

Tim
The Custom Saber Shop

[vadeblade]

I have had four aluminum hilts powder coated. The finish is matt not glossy. The powder coat is very tough, chip, scratch, and corrosion resistant (may depend on formulation and brand). In my opinion the matt finish is more in line with the intent of the hilts as utilitarian instruments of battle - unless you like Bling like Mace Windu or you're a Sith. Looks like investement in powder coating could be around $150 if you already have an air compressor (price includes purchase of a cheap toaster oven)

Link below gives a review on powder coating starter kit
http://www.dragstuff.com/techarticles/powder.html

One of my powder coated lightsabers has been to Burning Man twice and the finish is still good as new.

Edit: I just found high gloss powder coats too.

Lightsaber Warning Label: "CAUTION: Do NOT attempt to sharpen blade." http://www.geocities.com/projectstm/lightsaber.html

[tetmatek]

The Eastwood company sells a powder coat system not requiring a air compressor but you'll need an oven your not cooking food in.

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/3213/sig35jo.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[GeluKhanGharr]

I wonder if those mini electrical ovens would work, you know those that can barely fit an open sandwich

Born of Sith, seduced by the light.
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[xwingband]

You mean a toaster oven?

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[GeluKhanGharr]

Yup, toaster oven. Would those work?

Born of Sith, seduced by the light.
http://www.saloncatalina.com/images/signature.jpg

[xwingband]

If size isn't a factor probably. The one I have goes up to 450 degrees. That's equal to our normal oven if the "self-clean" function is taken away.

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[Strydur]

harbor freight has a oven..dont remember the cost. I prefer anodizing over powder coating though.

I think I will get setup for anodizing as soon as I get around to it. What I will probably do is process all anodizing on a certain day each week to reduce wasted time. I will let you all know as soon as I get setup for it.

Tim
The Custom Saber Shop

[Darth_Dadderall]

I would love to see some anodizing services. I'm working out the plans for a black chrome saber, obviously Sith-styled, and this would be just the thing for those plans.

What is life but the passage to death?

[Mur-Pa DiLos]

I just want to agree on the Alsacorp.com paints. I build custom muscle cars and hot rods and let me tell you that they have every combination you could possibly think of... but like in all things the best does have the "best of the best" type price tag. I've used the mirrachrome on certain things like Amer. Racing Wheels and people at the shows didn't know it wasn't chrome plated! If you use this paint or the GhostChrome, you can easily spray a candy on top and create whatever metal color you can think of, including an anodized look but without the hassle. They also have other great paints like the satin paint that would be great for grip material (it is the same as the back of Motorola phones, that grip is paint!) I know that I sound like I'm selling this stuff, but believe me if you want a top notch job, go with these paints![8D]

[Devilstar2k2]

The paintball website that I had mentioned earlier is back up...

www.precisionpb.com

Small, non batch work will be billed at 7.50 per part. As a rough guide, Medium parts are billed at 15.00, and Large parts at 25.00. This pricing is for solid color only.

I'm not sure if they will ano your hilt parts or not, but it couldn't hurt to drop them a line to find out. I don't see why they wouldn't... Money is money...

[vadeblade]

Here is a great article on how to anodize aluminum at Home:
http://www.warpig.com/paintball/technical/anodize.shtml

seems simple enough..[:D]



Lightsaber Warning Label: "CAUTION: Do NOT attempt to sharpen blade."

http://www.geocities.com/projectstm/lightsaber.html

[Darth_Dadderall]

Yay, Tim has announced ano service upcoming!

What is life but the passage to death?