Plating
Plating
Plating
) 2007 Gerald L. Wykoff. All Rights Reserved. This ebook publication or any portion thereof may not be copied, duplicated, re-distributed and re-sold in any form without the written permission of the copyright owner, Gerald L. Wykoff
An effective m etal plating brush setup consist of only a few items, starting top l. to r.: a supply of metal plating solution, a 6-volt power sou rce, a b rush electrode , a wo rk pie ce (jew elry ite m to be p lated ), and a small re-plenishing supply of the same plating solution.
I use the above setup mostly for nickel and chrome plating because nowadays I work a lot with copper, steel, nickel as well as 14K GF and silver plated wire. To switch the plating operation with these various metal types, I merely change the solution used (admittedly, I often also change to a different metal brush to gain better results with some of the metals. This step is called changing the electrode). Here's what you'll need to make a metal plating brush: < a " x 5" thin strip of stainless steel < a few inches of medical gauze (preferably " wide) < a roll of some plastic wrapping tape (about " wide) < a small battery adaptor/charger unit with 6v output - or a simple 6 volt dry cell battery < two one-foot lengths of 20-gauge insulated copper wire < two copper-brass electrical alligator clips < a rubber band (or some " wide masking tape) < a supply of the non-cyanide plating solution of your choice* *Most professional platers use solutions that contain cyanide acid, a chemical capable of producing lethal cyanide gas, because they work better. Avoid cyanide based chemicals in favor of the safer albeit slower non-cyanide solutions. It's optional, of course, but a supply of Blue Begone metal polish (available at any auto supply store) comes in handy for cleaning off metal surfaces that are due for plating. In plating, cleanliness of the tool and the work pieces is paramount.
A trip to the local hardware store will turn up most of the materials required. As for plating solutions, there are a couple of reliable sources listed at the end of this ebook where you can obtain smaller orders of plating solutions.
Again, if youre using a tube, peel the insulating cover off the wire so you have a 4" long bare wire. Hammer the wire flat for about an inch and then insert the wire through the tube so the flat wire end will lie inside the tube area thats also to be hammered flat. It isnt really necessary, but a touch of solder will provide for a permanent attachment between the wire and the electrode. Then hammer the tube end flat so the wire is captured securely.
Flatten the wire so it wont interfere with the flattened end of the tube, then insert the wire through the tube all the way to the end of the flat tip. Then
You want a flat angled surface for the brush. Therefore, bend up about 1 inch of the end of the strip or tube, bending at approximately a 30 angle.
For th e bru sh e lectro de y ou can u se e ither a stain less ste el strip (l.) or a 1 /4" OD copp er tube. Bend about 1" of the end of the strip or tube up at an angle of approximately 30 for easier brushing action. The tube , of course, will need to be hamm ered flat so it can be turned up and u se for brushing.
Starting at the bend, wrap the strip or tube with the insulated tape, continuing the tape wrap about an inch or two beyond the metal so the wire is also secured to the metal.
The gauze should cover the entire flat angled tip of the electrode and then be secured with a rubber bad (preferred) or some sticky masking tape.
electrode - as if you were bandaging a finger wound. Dont wrap too tightly because the metal plating solution must later saturate the gauze while coming in contact with the metal electrode. Secure the gauze in place with a rubber band or some masking tape.
exhausted when it slows down on the plating action. Making certain the two tips and/or wires dont touch each other and cause a short, plug the adaptor into a 110-volt power outlet - or, alternatively, attach the appropriate wires to the batterys posts. You wont get current flow until you atually complete the
To conserve and protect your main plating solution supply, fill up a small cup of plating solution in a tiny cup. Then use this small cup supply to replenish the gau ze. T he b rush picks u p ox ides and contam inate s that will go in to yo ur m ain solution supply if you use the latter for replenishing.
Be prepared also to spend a little extra brushing time when plating with nickel solution. Along with most chrome solutions, it just takes longer, sometimes up to 5-10 minutes to get a good, uniform coating. The first time you use this inexpensive little brush plater on a piece of your jewelry and then see it dramatically brought up to exciting metallic life, youll bless the little time and investment you devoted to having such a wonderful tool in your workshop. Happy plating!
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