Achipmunk, the washing soda is sodium carbonate while regular baking soda is sodium bicarbonate. You should be able to go into your local grocery store and request Arm n Hammer Washing Soda. Just make sure they know its NOT baking soda. I picked up a case of the stuff for about $35. Its normally used as an addition to soap used in a washing machine.

As far as electrodes go, my favorite is to use old seat frames. You can use anything, but the seat frames have a lot of surface area. Every few weeks just take it out and smack it on the ground to remove the built up rust. After about three times it will shatter and start on another.

Sheet metal works alright, but youll be taking it out and wire wheeling the crap off it a bit more to keep it clean.

Hope that helps!

Jeff

My 1953 Chevrolet
1947.1 Gallery
1972 C-10 1/2 Ton & 1972 C-30 1 Ton