For simple electro chemical work the voltages required are very low–
on the order of 3 volts DC generally a little less. The currents
required will usually be well handled at less than 3 amps.
You can work with battery chargers, car batteries, and even wall
warts ( simple plug in adapters for consumer electronics) but these
have good controls and good meters-- cheap and a lot less fuss.
Electroforming works best with very low currents-- less than 1 amp
for jewelry scale.
Currents required are based on the size of the object-- jewelry
scale is definitely at the low end.
They can be used for electrocleaning too.
After building my own small power supplies for electro chemical work
I found these:
They cost less than what I built, work as well and include better
meters. I have added to my mess with some of these too, and use them
instead of mine. The first three are for work other than reactive
metal anodizing:
http://webtronics.stores.yahoo.net/00addcreposu.html
http://webtronics.stores.yahoo.net/030v03amdigr.html
http://webtronics.stores.yahoo.net/1afi0vaduoub.html
there are more expensive ones.
These are built for educational and electronic hobbyist use-- they
don’t have a jewelry tool markup
For reactive metal anodizing: ( higher output voltage)
http://webtronics.stores.yahoo.net/lowcosioubep.
free gift with $50 purchase! This really makes them even a better
buy.
http://www.web-tronics.com/freedmmoffer.html
I have no connection with these people other than as an occasional
customer.
There is process in the orchid archives and on the web. -
don’t fear looking.
jesse