PLASTIC Knuckles into COPPER Knuckles #3dprinting

I 3d printed brass knuckles with a resin printer, and then tried electroplating them with copper. This is what happened.

[jokercardzz]

Make sure your prints are sanded extremely well, add a thicker coat of the metallic paint, and play with the current until you get the best coating with the lowest possible current

[grendel]

The copper looks burned (too much current). Calculate the area of the knuckles and start moderately with current. Try maybe 1 A/dm2 let say for 30 minutes and ramp up. I don’t know what kind of electrolyte do you have in therms of additives but usually 1, 5-2 A/dm2. 20+ V on the rectifier is way too much and should tell you that the connection to the part is not that good. Maybe to little graphite in the paint? You can use a multimeter to measure the resistivity of the surface. Some form of air agitation under the part will help as well, as you do not have any movement of the bath. Maybe a cheap aquarium pump with a silicone tube going under the part will help?

[TheEroxion]

There is an electrolysis nickel bath that puts a thin conductive layer on plastic, then you can electro plate copper, nickel or whatever over it. Nickel on top is much harder wearing than copper.

[Pvt.Private]

"Officer this is not a knuckle duster, it's a lighter holder"

[stephan-mcsh]

The bulkiest set of dusters I've seen yet

[MxchiefMxker]

Lower your current, do thicker layers of the conductive coat, and you’ve got a great setup already. Excited to see where you go from here

[allowmi]

Keep inventing. My suggestion is to watch people do things and find ways to make it easier. Those nuckles would be great if they had a hook on each ring for the plastic bags they give you at the grocery, among other uses.

[ntslth]

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[dylangergutierrez]

If you want to skip a couple steps, you could always print with conductive filament. If you're going to go the painting route, you want to first use primer, then sand them, *then* spray on the conductive paint. Circulate your electrolyte with a cheap little aquarium pump, and don't run your current too high. If you're concerned about durability, an initial layer of nickel will go a long way. Good work!

[TheBauerone]

Do a couple of coats, sanding and cleaning in between coats of every layer you add. Hand painted or not. If you work by hand try a foam brush.

[ChrisR]

You need to plate a thicker layer and also you should probably nickel plate the item after the copper plate. From there, to seal it in, I recommend a transluscent acrylic coat to protect the metal from corrosion, and also possibly change the color to whatever you like.

[nawfjoker]

I hope he realizes those brass knuckles arent really gonna work well..

[FrostyBandito]

Copper knuckles would be a good gamer tag

[blunznsepp]

you really should look into a way to make the electrolyte circulate. you can do this either by moving the knuckles back and forth on a rail (movement of wares) or adding a pump which makes the electrolyte circulate. Reason why - without any electrolyte exchange near the kathode (the stuff you want to plate) the electrolyte will deplete. If this happens you will need to pull more amps in order to gain layer thickness. Also make sure your product has sufficient pre-treatment (degreasing is key!). I dont have experience in plating plastic / graphite - but at least with metal pickling the surface is key in order to activate the surface. Since the copper seems to peel off from your knuckles it seems to be an adhesion issue - which is (in case of metal) almost always a pre-treatment issue

[BC_ZYXEL]

Sand it evenly rough and paint it evenly smooth

[CameronOwen]

Polish up the graphite coating (easier with a spray application), it massively increases its conductivity and will plate so much better.

[huntintrailmetals]

It’s less trouble and cheaper to get a casting flask and cast some brass knuckles! But electroplating is a ton of fun!!

[thecrazy]

You need to have a glossy/polished finish on the plastic if you want a nice finish. Plus you can polish the electro plated finish.

[marshall]

am terrible at both methods al so you this is what professional looks like .

[reddheadedstranger]

I would suggest painting with black Rust-Oleum engine enamel, let dry for a couple days, then rub with graphite powder, rinse with soap and water, dry, apply a second coat of graphite powder, rinse, dry, then electroplate.