Electroplating in the Home Workshop

7/29/2019 Electroplating in the Home Workshop

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ELECTROPLATING in the HOME

WORKSHOP

by Norm Jones

Oct 2, 2008


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OVERVIEW

SOURCES for INFORMATION

Caswell Electroplating in Miniature

7696 Route 31Lyons, New York 14489

(315) 946-1213 www.caswellplating.com

Request a catalog

Anodizing, Electroplating, (Brush Plating)Powder Coating, Polishing, Paint

Plating Manual $22.00
http://www.caswellplating.com/http://www.caswellplating.com/


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SOURCES for INFORMATION (cont)

RIOGRANDE

7500 Bluewater Rd NW

Albuquerque, New Mexico 87121-1962

(800) 545-6566 www.riogrande.comCall to request a customer number

Request Tools & Equipment

Great catalog to browse thru!

Plating Manual $15.00

Electroplaters Handbook C.W. Ammen

ISBN 0-8306-0310-7 (paper bound)
http://www.riogrande.com/http://www.riogrande.com/


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INITIAL STEPS for PLATING

Part must be highly polished(Plating will not improve finish)

Remove Polishing Compound with Lacquer Thinner or Acetone

Soak Part in Hot Solution of Dishwasher Detergent(Cascade or Similar)

Rinse in Distilled Water

DO NOT TOUCH PART WITH BARE HANDSAFTER THIS STEP


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ELECTRO-CLEANING

Cleans Part Microscopically

Electro-Cleaner: Riogrande page 402

Container: Pyrex Loaf Pan

(Solution may need to be heated)Part will be suspended in container

(Must not touch Anode)

DC Power Source: Adjustable (12 volts @ 2 Amps)

Use Stainless Steel Anode (Positive Lead)

(Special Shapes may be Required)Connect Negative Lead to Part to be plated

(make connection in area not to be plated)

Adjust Power Supply to 10V. Turn on Power Supply for 60 seconds


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ELECTROCLEANING (CONT)

Rinse Part in Distilled Water

Rinse Part in Acid Dip (Riogrande Page 402)


(separate water rinse from above)

Note that all Water Rinses and Acid Dips areDedicated

Note


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ELECTRO-CLEANER SETUP


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NICKEL PLATING

Parts that I am plating are Brass

Nickel prevents tarnishing for subsequent Gold Plating

Provides better adhesion for Gold Plating

Can be used as Final Finish with Extra ThicknessCaswell PlugN Plate Kit

Power Supply 4.5V @ 300ma

Stainless Steel Wand

Bandage

Nickel Plating Solution

(Individual Items are Available Separately)


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STAINLESS STEEL WAND / BANDAGE


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WAND in PLATING SOLUTION


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NICKEL PLATING SETUP


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NICKEL PLATING PROCEDURE

Brush Plating

Dip Wand in Plating SolutionWipe wet Bandage on Part to be Plated

( make sure that the stainless wand does not touch part)

Keep Moving!

Dip Plating

Submerge Part in Plating SolutionAgitate Solution

Amount of time determines Plating ThicknessRinse Part in Distilled Water

Rinse Part in Acid DipRinse Part in Distilled Water


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GOLD PLATING

Cyanide Based 24K,18K,14K Riogrande/CaswellColor based on : Temperature, Current, Time in Bath

Agitation gives uniform color

Bath has both Stainless Anode and Gold Anode

Never leave Gold Anode in Bath when not in use

Mask areas not intended to be plated with lacquer or asphaltum black

Set Power Supply for 6 Volts @ 30 Seconds

(Brush Plating method works OK as well)


Rinse Part in Acid Dip



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FIXTURING PARTS


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FIXTURING TUBE


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GOLD PLATING TANK


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GAS BUBBLES GIVEN OFF


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FINISHED PARTS


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COMPLETE PLATING SETUP


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PRECAUTIONS

NOTE THAT THE MATERIALS USED IN THISPROCESS ARE HAZARDOUS AND SHOULD

BE HANDLED WITH CARE

PROPER VENTILATION SHOULD BEPROVIDED FOR


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Electroplating in the Home Workshop

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