Electroplating

Deano · Member

Electroplating

Possum3 · Guru

G'day Deano, I can't help with suggesting plating - I have a set that are well over 50 year old, at least 100, they a kept in metal case with just a kero rag clean after use - they are tools not display pieces. The slight film of oily dust doesn't cause any damage.

I think you will find McPherson's were the retailer that had them made by Precision Tool & Die.

-- Edited by Possum3 on Saturday 14th of January 2023 08:32:07 AM

Whenarewethere · Guru

I have quite a few tap & dies, mostly taps. I use cutting fluid will them, mostly tapping M6, then M4, largest one I have is M10. Also have some Whitworth taps, often use these for brackets for photographic equipment custom mounts.

If you are tapping a lot of holes the edge of the tap does get a bit tired, even being careful using a Taper, Intermediate & Bottom tap with cutting fluid.

The taps are high speed steel, none of mine are plated, it serves no purpose, just keep some oil on them so they don't rust.

Whenarewethere · Guru

Another very useful tool is the Sutton cross hole deburrer. Much better than a 3 flute deburrer in a lot of situations.

But all these taps & deburrers are consumable items in the long run.

If you need a really precise tapped hole, just buy a new tap, it's not worth a second rate thread using an old tap.

I would suggest after about 100 taps relegate the tap to less critical jobs. Also depends the material you are tapping.

Always use cutting fluid. Also good for drilling holes in metal.

KJB · Guru

Deano wrote:
Hi, I have two 50 piece Tap and Die sets. So my problem is I chose to test clean the Die's from one set using vinegar, ( I now know useless idea). So the vinegar has stripped the coating of the die's left them soaking overnight. I'm wondering if anyone would be able to help with a suggestion on how to replace this chrome looking coating that was on them. Trying to get information on maybe electroplating them. Have spoken to a couple of electro-platers and they needed to know what coating was originally on them. They have been in the family since new & were made by Mc Phersons P/L 50 years ago. Any help would be appreciated, to get another coating back on them. Regards

Wipe with WD40....will keep rust at bay until you work out the plating issue.........

Ask about Cobalt Nickel Plating ... looks better than Zinc or plain Nickel, cheaper and easier than Chrome....buffs nicely.

-- Edited by KJB on Saturday 14th of January 2023 09:41:53 AM

-- Edited by KJB on Saturday 14th of January 2023 11:06:31 AM

Mike Harding · Guru

Most of my taps made their way to me via my father although I have bought some new ones; I didn't realise taps were played? I should think the plating would quickly wear off, would it not?

Also I am very surprised an acid as weak as vinegar would damage plating in a few hours?

Ivan 01 · Guru

Hi Deano,

I missed you post from a few days ago but there are ways to replate many items. Tools are a popular item to replate.

Have a look at this video. It is less than ten minutes and the process can be done at home with very basic products.

Your tap and die set will be restored.

https://youtu.be/G-PtnwtOR24

Good luck with it.

Cuppa · Guru

Ivan 01 wrote:

Have a look at this video. It is less than ten minutes and the process can be done at home with very basic products.

Your tap and die set will be restored.

https://youtu.be/G-PtnwtOR24

A good video.

Plain Truth · Guru

Whenarewethere wrote:
Another very useful tool is the Sutton cross hole deburrer. Much better than a 3 flute deburrer in a lot of situations.

But all these taps & deburrers are consumable items in the long run.

If you need a really precise tapped hole, just buy a new tap, it's not worth a second rate thread using an old tap.

I would suggest after about 100 taps relegate the tap to less critical jobs. Also depends the material you are tapping.

Always use cutting fluid. Also good for drilling holes in metal.

I find the best tap to use for holes that go right through are "spiral point thread taps" and the best tapping paste is Trefolex.

Possum3 · Guru

Great video to assist those manufacturing bits for caravan that are exposed to weather.

KJB · Guru

Some Zinc Plating I have carried out over Christmas (engine bay parts for a car restoration Project..) Still learning but pretty happy with my results......

Zinc Fuel line i (3).jpg Zinc Plating 20221125.jpg

Ivan 01 · Guru

They look great KB.

Another use for such simple technology is to etch volumes or other information on Stainless Steel.

Just ensure you passivate the work with lemon juice or acid of some kind. Lemon juice is easily available.

https://food-hacks.wonderhowto.com/how-to/etch-permanent-volume-markers-into-your-cooking-pots-using-salt-vinegar-0151657/

I made a dip stick for a boat fuel tank with a strip of stainless steel for my son. It is far safer than the length of wooden dowel he was using. cry

-- Edited by Ivan 01 on Wednesday 18th of January 2023 05:45:45 PM

Hylife · Guru

Visit Caswell, they have low cost DIY electroplating kits.

https://www.caswellplating.com.au/

I buy their home brand version "Muggy Super Alloy" for low temp (180C) brazing metal repairs to things like cast steel or aluminium radiators.