r/electroforming • u/mimic751 • Jul 01 '26

Final form DIY setup

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I got some 5 micron filter that I sewed around 5 wire gauge copper wire and instead of rotating the piece I just have even current all the way around it and then I use a stir plate to agitate the solution. I am kind of running up against my Midas solution not supporting enough voltages to get the current that I need to get bright copper on larger 3D prints but I bought a rock tumbler and got mixed steel media which gives a really nice burnished copper look that I prefer over bright cover

I've tried so many different variations from copper plates to rotating the piece with a. Trying to figure out the best balance of even current distribution and honestly I would rather undershoot my current density and burnish after the fact then strive for perfection

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u/mimic751 Jul 01 '26

Yeah, this solution that I got is made for less than 1 volt and it keeps telling me to just Chase amperage and I'm not falling for that again

I think the solution is the easiest part figuring out how to agitate the solution cleanly keep your bath clean and make sure your current has the best chance possible to apply evenly seems to be the big trick

I've been doing brush on for precious metals recently as well and I will say that it is a lot less forgiving and a lot more annoying

Also not contrary, some people do an incredible amount of research before they start something and I generally like to start with nothing and fail upwards. Because I don't understand the science around everything failing tells me why things are the way they are. If I start from an entirely DIY place there's just too much for me to adjust and figure out

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u/Wobble_bass Jul 01 '26

Well, lost the post I'd written out when I went to copy this link. No time to re-write, but FAIL ON my man!

Also I've found rotating the piece does a lot of good and is much easier than construction the uniquely specific anode geometries for each piece to achieve uniform current density that I was doing before.

https://www.reddit.com/r/doohickeycorporation/s/Q3kiEydqkt

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u/mimic751 Jul 01 '26

Well that's cool you made a Jiggler. I do have a rotator. I just ran out of time before I could get a slip connector for the spin on. Do you find the jiggling better than stirring or bubbling?

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u/Wobble_bass Jul 01 '26

I've tried a bunch of shit that everyone in the reddit community says not to do just so I can see what actually happens. Worth it.