Replies

1. 
   RickL | Jun 15, 2006 07:14pm | #1

   We used to send our custom metal to a local plater. Typically there was a copper base for nickel. We used a brushed nickel finish a lot. Bright nickel requires a perfect polished surface. Black nickel was especially nice.

   Try http://www.caswellplating.com  Haven't tried the kits myself so can't give any recommendation.

   Woodworking Machinery Technician
2. 
   rarebear | Jun 15, 2006 07:44pm | #2

   I seen tools nickel plated in that method and they dont look original..

   They have to be FLASH Plated with no base and no polish..

1. 
   mvflaim | Jun 15, 2006 08:06pm | #3

   What's Flash Plated mean? Is that where the piece is stuck in an oven and cooled quickly?

2. 
   RickL | Jun 15, 2006 08:11pm | #4

   I've had some Stanley nickel plated parts  that were peeling and they had a copper base and were finished with a dull nickel.

    

   Woodworking Machinery Technician

   Edited 6/15/2006 1:18 pm ET by RickL

3. 
   PADDYDAHAT | Jun 16, 2006 06:07am | #5

   myfiaim? I have a bunch of Stanley #45/55 that are very clean , one pure copper plate but it seems that the new enviormental laws are so bad that it isn't  possible for a little guy to plate and be in the code with out extraordninary expense. Pat

1. 
   mvflaim | Jun 16, 2006 03:59pm | #6

   That's very true Pat.. didn't even think about that.. People would probably be wondering what I was doing and end up calling the cops on me thinking I was making a meth lab.

4. 
   mbholden | Jun 16, 2006 10:12pm | #7

   I am heavily involved in plating bumpers.

   The Chrome finish on bumpers is actually a cosmetic coating over the nickel coating that provides the corrosion resistance.

   So any local chrome plater, the guys who plate motorcycle and hot rod parts, can nickel plate. They will just not put the part through the chromium bath.

   Be aware that the brightness is directly related to the metal finishing done prior to plating. For bumpers we abrade the show surface with 600 grit flapwheels followed by, and this is very important, sisal flapwheels. The abrading raises small "slivers" or "fines" that while cannot be seen or felt, can stick up through the plating and provide an avenue for corrosion. If you have ever seen a chrome bumper with what looks like an outbreak of acne, that is an unbuffed or improperly buffed bumper. (you can also use an anodic acid etch, but the EPA has shut down most platers that used to use that)

   Anyway, look for platers in the yellow pages or stop by your local Harley dealer and ask who plates or replates parts. Follow the platers directions on prepping the metal.

1. 
   mvflaim | Jun 16, 2006 11:58pm | #8

   Thanks mbholden! Stopping by a Harley dealership is an exellent idea.