Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums Cloudy Nights - Official Forums of the 2009 International Year of Astronomy Privacy Policy | Please read our Terms of Service | Signup and Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu.... uh, User   You are not logged in. [Login] Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online FAQ · Calendar Equipment Discussions >> ATM, Optics and DIY Forum Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Pages: 1 Mark Schulz super member Reged: 09/06/04 Posts: 157 Source for Anodized Sheet Aluminum       #303196 - 01/07/05 01:18 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I am building a kit dob and using a red Moonlite focuser. I'd like to carry the red color on somewhere on the rocker base or mirror box. Maybe a design on the mirror box cover or on the alt bearings. Does anyone know a source for red anodized sheet aluminum that I could use for this? Red paint would be possible but I'd like it to match that focuser better than that. Thanks for the help! Mark Schulz -------------------- Mark Schulz 13.1" Tscopes Kit Dob TV 85 127mm Orion mak Denk II and Denk Standard Binoviewers Post Extras:       MMICKELS Aluminum Knight Reged: 01/20/04 Posts: 25192 Loc: The Land of Shake and Bake Re: Source for Anodized Sheet Aluminum [Re: Mark Schulz]       #303220 - 01/07/05 01:41 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Mark, you would need to have it plated afterwards. I know of no one selling red anodized aluminum sheets. -------------------- Mark "The only thing wrong with immortality is that it tends to go on forever." Herb Caen Post Extras:       John Jarosz I'm being watched... Reged: 04/25/04 Posts: 2193 Loc: Chicago area, IL Re: Source for Anodized Sheet Aluminum [Re: MMICKELS]       #303381 - 01/07/05 04:32 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Dr Mickels is correct. Aluminum is mainly anodized so that there is no long term oxidation, precision fits remain the same, and the aluminum surface is harder. Anodizing is an electrical process and the entire exposed surface of the part becomes coated. The coating is essentially clear(and extremeely thin), although without any colorization the aluminum turns a darkish grey. The exact grey is determined by the exact alloy of aluminum and the temperature of the anodizizing process. Coloring is done after anodizing by dying the color into the coating. So even if you had the exact same alloy as the parts you are trying to match, you would also need to match the dye as well. I know of no pre-anodized material, as machining any part of it would expose the base aluminum, thus negating most of the benefits of the process. John -------------------- 6" F4.6(w/Paracorr) GEM reflector, 8" F11 Dall Relay Scope 6" F5 RFT Refractor, Garrett Gemini 20x80 LW Post Extras:       Mark Schulz super member Reged: 09/06/04 Posts: 157 Re: Source for Anodized Sheet Aluminum [Re: John Jarosz]       #303393 - 01/07/05 04:48 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thanks for the help. So what other possibilities would people suggest to add some red accents that would match the look of a red Moonlite focuser? Mark -------------------- Mark Schulz 13.1" Tscopes Kit Dob TV 85 127mm Orion mak Denk II and Denk Standard Binoviewers Post Extras:       MMICKELS Aluminum Knight Reged: 01/20/04 Posts: 25192 Loc: The Land of Shake and Bake Re: Source for Anodized Sheet Aluminum [Re: Mark Schulz]       #303425 - 01/07/05 05:28 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Even the dye in plating will vary somewhat, so an exact match will be challenging. -------------------- Mark "The only thing wrong with immortality is that it tends to go on forever." Herb Caen Post Extras:       MMICKELS Aluminum Knight Reged: 01/20/04 Posts: 25192 Loc: The Land of Shake and Bake Re: Source for Anodized Sheet Aluminum [Re: MMICKELS]       #303426 - 01/07/05 05:29 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Black contrasts nicely with red. Have a look at my black and red scope in the members gallery. -------------------- Mark "The only thing wrong with immortality is that it tends to go on forever." Herb Caen Post Extras:       Pages: 1 Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Extra information 14 registered and 13 anonymous users are browsing this forum. 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