Electroplating 3D Prints | Master Sword Tutorial

In this tutorial I show you how to create big authentic metal props, like this master sword, by #electroplating your 3d prints. #3dprinting and metal plating combined will create convincing objects for you prop collection or the next comic con. #cosplay

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This is the stuff I used for electroforming/electroplating in this video.
Chemicals for the prints:

Optional:

I used this printer:

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▶ Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:28 Creating and smoothing the 3D Print
02:45 Creating a plating tank from acrylic glass
05:33 Making 3D prints conductive
05:58 Preparation of an electroplating bath for 3D prints
07:05 Polishing 3D Prints
09:30 Nickel Plating + Gold Plating the 3D prints
11:14 Candy painting the handle and cross bar
11:43 DIY braided strap and assembly of the sword

▶ For the galvanic bath:
* a container
* Acidic copper electrolyte
* Nickel electrolyte
* one or two copper anodes
* banana plug & alligator clips

▶ You may need:
* Degreaser
* Distilled water
* galvanic brush + pen
* Palladium electrolyte
* Gold electrolyte

Have fun. Try it. 🧡

▶ Good Resources
@Darkwingdad : Smoothing +Sanding Channel with very nice tipps

▶ More Stuff from me

[Darkwingdad]

That is next level! One of the best finishes I’ve seen. When science meets science!

[Raspberry]

It's a small detail, but i am super appreciative for how much emphasis you put on PPE. There are so many other DIY / 3d printing / hobby / crafting / painting / airbrushing / whatever channels out there that at best, throw it a passing mention (along with a "but i'm not wearing it so you can hear and see me better, its fine dont worry i usually wear it), or at worst, completely neglect to mention or show any ppe whatsoever and just show themselves actively poisoning themselves over and over again. Huge props (heh) for being so insistent on that aspect. Too many kids will grow up thinking the funny headaches they get when they do all this stuff is just normal and nothing to worry about.

[LaurentSparksMusic]

I have been waiting for this to catch on, electro-plating may seem like a high-tech future technique, as we have been seeing alot of 3d prints get plated recently. but it was actually invented in 1805! its been around for a long time so there's ALOT of terrific resources out there for getting the perfect color your want out of your plating. You can get fantastic results with a hobbyist setup. You can get garage organizer bins and make your own electrolyte for alot cheaper aswell, im so glad this is finally catching on! combine this technique with carbon fiber or dupont-kevlar and you have incredibly strong 3d printed parts.

[UncleJessy]

These videos are absolutely amazing and you continue to outdo yourself with each one. I'm really wanting to attempt this with a Magneto Helmet 😂

[ShawnShaman]

Who else is blown away by how brilliant this guy is?

[ArcanePath]

This is next level. Would like to have heard more about the processes such as the cost of the materials and fluids as well as see a longer shot of the final result. Looks awesome.

I found that with PLA prints, Wood filler and Leyland acrylic undercoat/primer that you paint on with a brush fairly thick, sands down easily to make it smooth and gets rid of layer lines. The wood filler is for imperfections such as bad extrusions or gaps in layers or top surface. Then I spray and sand. Spray and sand, until I lacquer with a final coat and sand with 5000 to 7000 grit lightly and polish with automotive car top compound to give it a shine.

[Dave_W]

Love the new rotary jig with brace, they looked a great design.

[vikingsofvintageaudio]

I used to hate it when I got recommendations to your videos. I just can't understand why, you're so great! Thanks for another banger of a video!

[carlpowers]

I remember when 3-D printers were just coming to the market and now I’m amazed by what you can do with a 3-D printer and your imagination and knowledge

[jeremy__hopkins]

6:45 - Thanks for sharing your process. Amazing amount of detail and effort but the results are perfection!

[offearthd]

Best one yet. I need to pull the trigger and get all the required things for this setup!

[Miketz]

Awesome work!
That transparent acrylic works better than I expected, and it seems you have settled upon a conductive paint that works for you.

[Superfreak]

I love your tutorials, have been watching them for months! Trying to find a comparable conductive paint in the US has been the biggest barrier to replicate your results.

[mr.awesome]

I just got the same files and scaled everything up 1.5X the resulting sword is 42.5 inches long. The perfect size in my opinion.
Great video by the way!

[IshamPadron]

I like to use resin as a filler for resin prints. The Elegoo kit came with a UV light wand. I'll just brush on resin in the gaps and light it up.

[rocdesigns]

I think this will be my next new serious hobby! Love your work!🎉

[CellarNerd]

As always: Amazing work! You’ve actually achieved the master sword! I thought it was close to impossible when I joked about sending you mine to electroplate, but of course you could do it! Amazing! 🤩

[babygorilla]

Electroplating 3D prints what an interesting idea. I bet you could print and plate circuits inside your prints. Arduino housings could be put in so you click it in and the prints wired directly to sensors LEDs batteries. You could print switches the whole 9 yards.

[BlimpMcGee]

Bro this much work deserved 10 minutes of B roll

[haydenheffernan]

This is such good information. Inspiring and very cool, thank you for sharing