SMC Discussion Areas

Guys,

As some of you know, I've taken huge steps to break into the plating market. Until this week, I have not been happy
with the results. Those of you who know me, understand that I WILL NOT send out something, that I wouldn't use
myself. I've done "practice pieces" for some of you... and I thank you. Here are pieces, that are consistant, clear,
and ready to use. These are "hard plated" and done in my small tanks. Here are some that are finished...

and what they started as......

Looks Great! I am sending stuff on Friday or saturday! 

Sounds good Josh....I look forward to it!

how much approx. to chrome the pieces on the front of a vendo 39?

That's the same question I have.

I have a few pieces needing re-chromed too.

Hey guys...

Typically, we're looking at between $25 and $40 each piece.

Give me a call during the week or mail me a few pictures
of what you have.

Eric

Eric, can you explain  the hardening process?
I spent over $600 on chrome for a Seeburg G last time out, and even then some pieces like the coin slot still had a few pits.

Okay...

Here's my take on the pitting, and I'm NO expert...yet  :Oo:

Chrome plating is a triple plate process...right? We get the part, clean it, buff and polish the part until it is as
smooth as we can get it (crap in the tank...crap out). Then it has to be degreased and scrubbed. Any polishing
compound left...no plating will stick. Then it's copper plated, usually about 30-40 minutes. At this step, we can
take care of the pitting (to a point). There are 2 options... buff all the copper plate off and what's left in the pits,
will remain. Copper plate again. Buff again, and keep doing this until the pitting is gone or almost gone. The 2nd
option, after copper plate, heat the piece and solder the pits. Buff again and replate.

Now, the million dollar problem...(and I've pulled out most of what hair I have left)... If the piece is a coin
bezel, It's going to be pot metal. Plating has a tough time sticking to it. Repairing it is not and option. Any heat,
it turns into a melted pile of goo. Too much buffing friction, it warps. The pits are there, probably because of the
effort, time, and nature of the metal. I will never promise to remove all of the pitting...I can't... and the last thing
I need, is to destroy someone's bezel, on a rare machine, trying to do so.

Oh... after all of the above... then you nickel plate, another 45 minutes. Buff again.
Then, when all is "right with the World"... off in to the chrome tank... oh, and yes....buff again.

and I wanted to try my hand at plating....what was I thinking!!!!  :darn:

I have a piece that is brass. Can u replate that? Maybe copper plate it and leave it alone? Got any pictures of the process you do?

Matt,

what size of object do you want
copper plated? Is it smooth or full of pores?
picture?

Eric,

It is a lion head off of a Mills Electricity is Life machine.  Probably 3" long by 2" wide. It looks like it was broze or antique brass color. On the top of the lion there is a piece that was chromed that will come off. 

I would like to do the handles on the machine too. Let me know wha you think.

Matt,

Will the handles and lions head come off the box?
Everything has to be 100% clean and buffed.

I can do hard nickel, copper, chrome and 24k.

Lion head, 24k gold and chrome top maybe?
Handles, ?

I want to chrome the handles and the coin slot. The lions head i want broze color like the picture. Yes everything comes off. What do u think it will cost?

I don't know Matt... let's try $95 plus postage.

I can only do copper or gold...
the chrome won't be a problem.

i will send it out next week

Eric, done right by me, back in June, I sent him a coin bezel from my Cavalier USS96  that was in very bad shape, on the top where the thumb would hit the chrome was completely gone.  He send it back to me and it was 110% better, it was now fully chromed with a few very minor pits (for me it was very acceptable)  Surprising along with the money I send him for the job,because it was "pot metal" and wasn't chromed up to his high standards.  You can't ask for a more honest guy.  I highly recommend him for any chrome job, he will have my business again.

Ray 

I totally AGREE!!  Eric did some work for me on parts for my Vendo 110.  He is TOP notch.  I have finished tearing down my Cavalier 51 and will be giving him a call this week to send stuff to him.

This is great news to hear! It's always good to have an additional asset that you already know and trust.  :biggrin:

Get ready Eric. Have some parts coming to ya

Sounds good Buddy...I'm ready....

can you plate aluminum ??

Yes...

my studio is set up for small pieces, like trim, bezels, etc.
It needs to be "pickled" then zinc plated. Afterwords , plating as usual.

If it's a larger piece, say larger than 6x8...6x10... then I could go the
spray route. Not quite the same finish, but nice and shiny. Colors too
if  desired.

some of my trim pieces are maybe 36" long, i have 2 of those and 2 smaller pieces, about 18" maybe.   how much would it cost to get them plated?   they're about 3" wide.  give me some idea, i might like to get them plated.   

Did you have a price list?