Topic: At home zinc plating guys

[DonDDR]

     Want to talk to anyone(s) who is doing this. I want to plate my own parts at home as I work on different parts of the bike, not tear it all apart and send out the bucket full. Did a search on here and Google, read alot of stuff (maybe too much?) but would like to talk with someone directly that has or is doing it.


                                   Thanks in advance.
           

[xsmooth69x]

im watching this thread 

[Terry in Australia]

I'm thinking about doing this myself, there's a place nearby where I can buy all the gear to do it myself, looks like around 500 bucks to buy everything I need, and it'll be nice to produce nice shiny nuts, bolts, spokes etc whenever I need them. Cheers, Terry. 

[DonDDR]

Here are a couple sites that are helping me get going

http://www.thisoldtractor.com/gtbender/zinc.htm

Great basic info.

Here is another site that goes a little deeper into equipment, but little info on the actual process. I think I will build it like this but use a stainless basket and drive tube. Smaller holes and easier electricity transfer than the dangler, but I havent watched the videos.

http://www.nulltime.com/zincplating/site_map.html

As far as the after plating polishing fun, thinking of making a polishing tumbler like you would use for rocks. Fine sand? Soda? Like it says in the first article, the polishing phase removes some of the plating, so you dont wanna over do it.
          Intelligent replies welcome.

[jaguar]

ive been thinking about getting into it as well

[johnrdupree]

I, too, have thought about this.  Caswell seems to have all the stuff and know-how for hobby level plating.  Here's a link to their zinc kits:

http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/zinc.htm

They also have a forum (you know, for all those nerdy forum types):

http://forum.caswellplating.com/

Let us know how it goes,
~john

[lone*X]

"As far as the after plating polishing fun, thinking of making a polishing tumbler like you would use for rocks. Fine sand? Soda? Like it says in the first article, the polishing phase removes some of the plating, so you dont wanna over do it.
          Intelligent replies welcome. "

Walnut shells.  They are not as abrasive as sand or soda but do a nice job of polishing.  Available at harbor freight or any where that sells reloading supplies.  Larger items and odd shaped items may not "tumble" very well.  For that you need a vibrating instead of rolling tumbler like the ones used for ammo reloading.

[gonzobrian]

I have tried a cheaper kit from Eastwood and was not very impressed.  The parts came out kinda chalky.  I used a cheap Harbor Freight tumbler with walnut shells and Autosol which helped but still not the results I was looking for.  I would be interested to see the results of the better kit.

[johnrdupree]

You can also get crushed walnut shells at pet supply stores.  It's used as bird cage litter.  They have smaller bags in case you don't need 25 pounds of the stuff.

~john