Electroforming Tutorial: The Basics to get you started!

The Art of Copper Electroforming! I hope this video helps answer your questions and please drop any additional questions below in the comments!

Here is everything I personally use to Electroform!
Disclaimer: I may get a small commission for any purchases from the Amazon Links. The products I have linked here are all ones I have personally used and would never recommend something I did not find useful.

Materials List:
DC Power Supply 10A: https://amzn.to/44sbq55
Glass Beaker Set: https://amzn.to/44yqga7
Gator Clips: https://amzn.to/3p0qNkU
Enchanted Leaves CU Solution: https://amzn.to/3Nz2xke
(Enchanted Leaves is a small business that has helped a lot of electroformers get started and now they are a supplier)
Rio Grande CU Solution: https://www.riogrande.com/product/mid...
(This is what I used to get started)
Rio Grande Brightener: https://www.riogrande.com/product/mid...
Copper conductive Paint from Enchanted Leaves: https://amzn.to/3LBSbNK
Safer Solutions Copper Conductive Paint: https://www.safer-solutions.com/safer...
Funnel: https://amzn.to/426UFe0
Coffee Filters- You can get lab filters, but coffee filters work just fine to filter your solution when doing bath maintenance
26 Gauge Copper Wire to Suspend your pieces: https://amzn.to/3Lr3QPu
8 Gauge Copper Wire (Anode): https://amzn.to/42mMfyY (I like to use copper wire over pipe)
Super Glue E6000: https://amzn.to/3LB1Kwm
Apoxie Sculpt: https://amzn.to/42m1ZSU
Wire Brush set: https://amzn.to/3NFc8WB (I use the stainless steel brushes for the heavy duty polishing and the brass ones for gentler details)
Steel Wool: https://amzn.to/44seAFZ ( Great for getting in those crevices)
You can also use a Dremel and brush attachment to polish if you do not want to do it by hand.
ProtectaClear: https://amzn.to/44s2rkr
Liver of Sulfur: https://amzn.to/3HBat0j
Distilled Water- Your local grocery store

Safety:
Glasses: https://amzn.to/3NItzFM
Nitrile Gloves: https://amzn.to/3B1AemN
Mask: https://amzn.to/414L6ef

The Process:
Electroforming is the electrochemical deposition of metal (copper, in my case) onto an object. To give you the simplest explanation before I dive into it electroforming is the suspension of an object (cathode) in a solution of metal salts with an Anode (copper). Then a direct current of electricity is passed through the solution via the anode (+) and cathode (-) to transfer the metal ions onto the object where the metal forms and bonds onto it.

In the simplest explanation here is the basic process.
Take whatever you want to electroform such as a crystal. You can attach a jump ring onto it to make it a necklace or earring by using super glue or Apoxie Sculpt. Once dry, whatever you want to be covered in copper you have to paint with conductive paint. Once the paint is dry you want to seal the crystal to protect it from the Electroforming Solution and I use latex to seal the crystals since that is very easy to peel off later. Attach your Crystal to the black gator clip by hanging it from a bus bar with a piece of thin copper wire. Attach the red Gator clip to your anode which is a bare copper wire or pipe. Then turn your DC Power Supply/ Electroforming rectifier on and using the Amps set it to your desired power. The rule of thumb is 0.1amps per square inch of space. Once electroforming is finished you want to take your crystal out of the bath, rinse in distilled water and then polish it to your desired shine or Patina for some interesting effects. Finally seal that beautiful copper piece with something like Protect clear. Then string it on a necklace and enjoy.

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