Aluminum USB drive

Lusb Armor1
Usb Armor8
Usb Armor11
Russ writes -

Another one of my USB drives broke, so I made a very small aluminum case for it with #0-80 hex screws. I'm looking to get it anodized, so if any MAKER has a suggestion, comment here!
Aluminum USB drive project Link.

Related:

  • DIY Home aluminum Anodizing for a hobby - Link.
  • Anodizing aluminum - Link.


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Comments

Oldest comments listed first.

Posted by: bmullin on April 9, 2007 at 7:03 AM

Suggestion is anodize it yourself.

http://www.focuser.com/anodize.html

and dye and other products from

http://www.caswellplating.com/


Posted by: rjones3 on April 9, 2007 at 7:46 AM

The cost of a home anodizing kit seems to be feasible for under $300 or so, but I don't have that money right now... There doesn't seem to be many options for one-off part services I guess.


Posted by: NickCarter on April 9, 2007 at 8:51 AM

The trick is to find a local anodizing shop and see if they'll throw it in with another batch. Failing that, find a shop that sends out parts to anodizing and see if they'll throw it in.

Personally I'd CNC engrave it or do geometric cuts all over the surface. You could also do a "engine turned" finish like the Spirit of St. Louis. That would look cool and be easy using a drill press or manual mill.

Nice work!


Posted by: DeanW.Armstrong on April 9, 2007 at 1:00 PM

Depending on your existing spare parts, Alex Meadows' Guide might be useful: http://www.shadowguarddev.com/alex/anodizing/

He built a power supply for it using mostly spare parts; the only real thing he had to buy was the dye.


Posted by: CGStuart on April 9, 2007 at 5:08 PM

You can do it yourself for less than $75. Take a look at http://www.focuser.com/atm/anodize/anodize99.html - all you need is battery acid, a battery charger, die, and sealer. If you need to buy the charger, make sure you can make a spark with it before you plunk down the cash - the electronics in most of the new, cheap chargers are too smart to allow the current to flow if they don't sense a battery hooked up, and so they are useless for anodizing.
If your local library or a buddy has it, either Home Shop Machinist or Machinist's Workshop had an article on anodizing within the last year - it's a good introduction.


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