How to set up your tank for electroforming
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- Опубліковано 4 гру 2021
- In this video, I will show you how to set up a DIY Tank to electroform copper jewelry and basically any kind of copper object.
A plastic container will be put on the magnetic stirrer with copper anodes and cathodes, all powered by an adjustable power supply. I'm adding copper sulfate, but it will be a topic for another video. It's gonna be heated with a fish tank heater and a thermometer will check the temperature.
If something seems missing, or it's not very clear to you, there will be more explanations in my blogs.
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Plastic Container: amzn.to/3GrrmXT | ebay.to/3vjWPtg
Power Supply: amzn.to/32SA1Fb | ebay.to/3t8IxZV
Alligator clips: amzn.to/3GnWEz8 | ebay.to/3HlTCf4
Magnetic Stirrer: amzn.to/3L43aOP | ebay.to/36IGzYN
Magnetic Stir bars: amzn.to/3HqzMjC | ebay.to/3t2MijC
Anode bag: ebay.to/3paA7QE
Dust cloths: ebay.to/3hkPCRn
Copper pipes: amzn.to/3gh734T | ebay.to/3BMhzey
Copper pipe cutter: amzn.to/35CVB1n | ebay.to/3IlcJqS
Fish tank heater: amzn.to/3L4zQI7 | ebay.to/3BLwLZn
Thermometer: amzn.to/3gssd00 | ebay.to/3LYQv03
#electroforming #copperjewelry #electroformingprocess #electroformingartist #cuformingjewelry
CuForming is a project of passion born from our love for both science and crafting.
Since 2018, we've been exploring the fascinating world of electroforming, where we merge the wonders of electrochemistry with geology, botany, zoology and the artistry of crafting.
Copper, with its versatility and beauty, is our favorite material to work with, and our designs are inspired by the intricate textures found in nature.
Through experimentation with chemicals, various materials, and the electroforming process, we create unique pieces that celebrate the intersection of science and art.
With inherited skills in electrical engineering, painting, sculpting and materials assembly, and the curiosity about new technologies such as 3D printing, CuForming is where science meets creativity. - Навчання та стиль
In this video, I will show you how to set up a DIY Tank to electroform copper jewelry and basically any kind of copper object.
A plastic container will be put on the magnetic stirrer with copper anodes and cathodes, all powered by an adjustable power supply. I'm adding copper sulfate, but it will be a topic for another video. It's gonna be heated with a fish tank heater and a thermometer will check the temperature.
MORE INFORMATION ON MY BLOGGER: cuforming.blogspot.com/
Love your content! I have learned double the anode from the cathode. Not true i guess based on your video
Yes, that's true. At that time I need to make a lot of pieces at the time. In my other videos, you use fewer anodes.
Love all your videos, super well done and so kind of you to share your process!
Im curious what you use to sanitize the things you add to the tank such as the heater and thermometer.. also why do you wear gloves when handling the copper? Is it because of hand grease?
Thank you in advance, keep it up 🤗
Thank you for this comment and your appreciation. I don't sanitize anything, bacteria or viruses are not an issue, copper sulfate kills every living thing. I just wash and rinse what it's needed with distilled water or demineralized water. About gloves, I was using them to protect my hands even if in certain conditions and during some processes they were not needed. You can use gloves to protect pieces from hand grease, but it's not a real issue with textured objects so, unless you are making precise and perfectly smooth and shiny surfaces, you don't need them.
@cuforming ah, that makes sense, thank you so much for replying! 🤗
When you dropped the pipes I jumped both times 😅
Please subscribe if you wanna jump again on the next video!!!
This video is really great, thank you! Can you store the tank filled with the copper sulfate solution after electroforming for the day or week, etc.? It seems like it would be a challenge to rebottle up all the solution between uses. Many thanks!
I usually leave the tank covered with its own lid and a sheet of plastic wrap. But it is also simple to empty it back in the bottle if I need to make some maintenance or if the solution needs to be filtered. I'm making a video where I show exactly how to do it with just a hose and a bottle. So stay tuned and thank you very much for subscribing.
Hi, i live in Italy, where can I find information about a brightening agent for copper plating?
Thanks
You can buy it from Gateros UK or Tifoo Germany
@@cuforming thank you
@@mirazapolokh5420 se hai bisogno si aiuto contattami su facebook o instagram.
What component are the stir-bars made of and what is their purpose, please? Also, is it a must to use a power source like this one or would an old-type mobile phone charger do the same job? I have little funds so need to find very low-cost supplies. 😮 if not…which power supply unit do you recommend?
Oh…what are the two yellow devices you sit the plastic tub on at the start of the video and are these a must-have, too? Many thanks 😊
I’m gathering information to build a kit and your tutorials are magnificent 😊
If you watch all my videos, you can see that most of my equipment is DIY. You can save by recycling and creating your own tools.
Stirring the liquid helps to make a smoother surface. Watch this video to see what it does without stirrer: ua-cam.com/video/luzEOH1cWHw/v-deo.html
A common phone charger gives around 5 Volts and you need to regulate the tension between 0.1 and 1.5 Volts, so you need an adjustable power supply.
Here you can find all the basic supplies to start: kit.co/cuforming/electroforming-starting-kit
And these are for the next level of difficulty: kit.co/cuforming/electroforming-advanced-kit
If you need anything else, I'll be glad to help you.
Hi this look amazing ! how many poeces can you electroform at time ? i'm looking to do in series of bigger crystals
Let me know I'm e newby
That's a 2 gallons tank, you could make 5 or 6 big crystal pendants in there. Maintenance in very uncomfortable with it though so I switch to a 1 gal one but I can make 2 or 3 pieces at the time. Thanks for the appreciation.
Can you show us how to make the bath solution?
Yes, I will make a video soon. If you didn't subscribe yet, please do it. It would be very helpful. Thank you.
ua-cam.com/video/E5jRqZipnIU/v-deo.html
thanks a lot! how to make graphite solution yourself?
I'm preparing a video about graphite paint. It'll take a little to finish it so stay tuned and subscribe if you didn't do it already. Thank you!!!
@@cuforming great! looking forward to! I am very happy. Yes, I signed up of course! you are a good teacher and a wonderful master!
I just received the dust cloths that were linked in this video and it says they are made with paraffin (mineral oil) is this even ok to use in electroforming since it contains oil? Wouldn't it contaminate the solution?
I've just removed the link. Amazon basic dust cloth is the only one with that ingredient. I don't know why they put it in there. Anyway I don't think a little paraffin can mess the solution. Usually apolar substances can help to remove the surface tension on the cathode, or they can just float on the surface of the solution itself... but it's better to avoid further issues. If you can return it, do it. I'm so sorry about what happened.
@@cuforming in using the dust cloths can you tie them on with string etc....if you don't have a heat machine to make a pocket....?
@@carriebailey2503 Use a hot glue gun. Be careful, don't burn your fingers, use some parchment paper to press the flaps of the cloth together and a wooden board such as a cutting board.
My pieces are turning out salmon colored, thin and brittle. Do you know why?
For the salmon color you need to use brightener, they are thin because they need to stay longer in the bath, and brittle because the current is too high. These are usually the common solutions for those symptoms. Give me more info about your setup, so I can tell you more.
@@cuforming I just set up a tank based on UA-cam tutorials. I have it in a big round glass jar (like for storing cereal on the countertop) with a thick gauge copper wire coil. I purchased electroforming solution and conductive paint online. I set it up with the red clip on the copper coil and the black clip on the wire suspending the pieces. I tried a leaf with about 10-12 inches of surface area. It's like 5 in long and 2 in wide at its widest part