Home plating systems
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 199
Likes: 2
From: Suffern NY
Home plating systems
I am thinking about purchasing a home plating system for small parts...nut, bolts, etc.
I'd like some advice from those who have used either the eastwood system or the caswell copy cad. There is a siginificant difference in the price of these systems and I will mainly be doing small parts...nuts, bolts, washers. Can you get good results with the eastwood?
Thanks for sharing your experiences. Please post pics of your results if possible.
I'd like some advice from those who have used either the eastwood system or the caswell copy cad. There is a siginificant difference in the price of these systems and I will mainly be doing small parts...nuts, bolts, washers. Can you get good results with the eastwood?
Thanks for sharing your experiences. Please post pics of your results if possible.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
I have used the Eastwood Zinc plating systen as well as the black oxide. They both work well as long as you have the parts clean. I used a wire wheel on a bench grinder to clean the rust from the bolts etc. Also used a glass bead system to clean brackets that I Zinc plated. It looks good, but I doubt if it will last long in salt spray.
I zinc plated the steel pivot shafts shown in this photo. And the black bolts in the background were done with the Eastwood black oxide kit.
I zinc plated the steel pivot shafts shown in this photo. And the black bolts in the background were done with the Eastwood black oxide kit.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,315
Likes: 4,420
From: Westminster Maryland
When I use my Eastwood system I use a 2 quart container. The pictures I've seen of the Caswell system show a 5 gallon bucket being used. I think this tells the difference in the capacity of the two systems. The Eastwood system does work the way they say it will, though. Duke's point is MOST important.... parts must be clean!!!
Regards,
Alan
Regards,
Alan
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 27
From: Eastern North Carolina
I agree, the most important step when plating is the prep of the part to be plated. I have used the Caswell Copy Chrome kit with great success. I have heard from the Caswell forum that the zinc kit is also good.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 1
I got the caswell black oxide kit for nuts and bolts. I probably have a lifetime supply after purchasing the small kit, so if you'd like to do a test run on a few nuts and bolts of yours, send them my way and I'll treat them for you.
I was surprised at how quickly the parts blackened and how simple it was to do. I haven't yet treated all the parts I intend to, but with a small mix in an old mason jar, I'm ready to go anytime and can refresh/replace the mix any time.
I was surprised at how quickly the parts blackened and how simple it was to do. I haven't yet treated all the parts I intend to, but with a small mix in an old mason jar, I'm ready to go anytime and can refresh/replace the mix any time.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 199
Likes: 2
From: Suffern NY
Thanks for the replys. I too have used the black oxide kit from eastwood and it works great.
After alot of consideration, I've ordered the copy-cad system from caswell. It seems to be more versatile and their tech support seems solid.
Now I am debating power supplies. The 3 amp from caswell isn't cheap and from what I read on their forum, is only good for small parts. I'd hate to spend over $120 and only be able to plate a few nuts at a time.
I've found an inexpensive 5 amp power supply (see link below).
http://www.buyreliant.com/psupplies/ps32lab.htm
Anyone with knowledge of plating power supplies think this will work well?
After alot of consideration, I've ordered the copy-cad system from caswell. It seems to be more versatile and their tech support seems solid.
Now I am debating power supplies. The 3 amp from caswell isn't cheap and from what I read on their forum, is only good for small parts. I'd hate to spend over $120 and only be able to plate a few nuts at a time.
I've found an inexpensive 5 amp power supply (see link below).
http://www.buyreliant.com/psupplies/ps32lab.htm
Anyone with knowledge of plating power supplies think this will work well?
