I’m looking for a source of blank anodized aluminum, preferably black. I’m looking for 6016 T6 alloy, 2mm (0.08") thick.
So far everyplace I have found that sells anodized aluminum has the right alloy but not the thickness I need, or vice versa.
If you cannot find what you need I have seen videos on youtube about anodizing your own. Seemed pretty simple and inexpensive.
Yes, I have watched a number of those videos, but not something I really want to get into.
I contacted Online Metals and they said that 6016 alloy does not anodize well, which is why they only sell 5005. But I have read that 5005 does not machine well.
What is your intended application? Does the stock need to be pre-anodized? Or could it be anodized after machining?
I’m making panels for electronics, Eurorack instruments in particular. The panels will need lettering and an figures drawn on them, probably using laser etching.
Doing some searching, it looks like 6061 works fine for anodizing. And doing my own anodizing is becoming more appealing. I was a bit turned off by having to have to deal with container of sulfuric acid, but it is a rather diluted solution.
You are right to be concerned. Just wear gloves and glasses and be careful when transferring liquids. Most things dont fly out of the bottle but when pouring or moving liquids is when they get spilled. Get yourself some plastic or metal trays to set your containers in and to work inside so minor splashes are caught in the trays not on your bench or floor.
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When I run into situations like yours, I start to question if there is a reason it is not available. If the reason is because I am in the US, I generally investigate further because I don’t give up that easy!
If I can’t even buy it in Europe, then I move on.
What about using ACM instead of solid aluminum?
What’s ACM? Some kind of laminate?
Aluminum composite. Really thin layers of aluminum with a hdpe core. Machines like plastic. If you get the colored kind, I think you could laser off the color (never tried that).
As @neilferreri says it’s an aluminium composite. I think it’s pretty much the same thing that makes up the lid and base of the nomad, and a piece is made available for making the “spanner” project.
One problem might be that it is pretty much plastic, it has a plastic sound when tapped, and the edges are rough and hard to finish.
If you are aiming your Eurorack at a certain market, they probably won’t like it in their rack.
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