Electroforming an Iris Seed Pod

Step 12 Begin Electroforming!

Turn the rectifier on, keeping the amp and volt set both below 1. Slowly submerge the seed pod into the solution, making sure it is completely covered. After a few seconds, you should be able to see a light layer of copper forming on the surface!

Comments

[Morgantao]

I'm wondering, if you only need less than 1 Volt and less than 1 Amp, why do you ned the rectifier to be an 18 Amp?

Cant I just use a standard DC power supply?

[RaisedByRobots]

Why are you supposed to turn on the power before submerging the object?

[MaggieJs]

good question... i don't remember the answer right now... :) Though looking at one of my resources (Tim McCreight's the Complete Metalsmith) it says you can submerge them first, and when you are certain they are not touching, turn the rectifier on. In school we always did it the opposite, but it must not make that much of a difference... i'll do some more digging about it. This book also says they only need to be 1/2 inch apart, so you might not need a bigger container after all. so what are you electroforming?? I'd love to see pictures!!

[RaisedByRobots]

I'd rather show you pictures of a successful one! The first try looks pretty ghastly. I think the next one will work then I'll post the picture. thanks! (it's an acorn cap)