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Nickel plating buckles

Timeband

Renowned Member
9/3/10
556
4
0
Hi Members,
here is my newest project. Some guys asked for nickel plated buckles on their straps.
I thought that it couldn’t be that difficult to plate my brass buckles myself.
Bought 250ml Nickelelectrolyte from a supplier next to my hometown.
Bend some Cri Ni wire to have a plus pole in the fluid.
Bend a supporting wire to hold a hook and clamp on the batteryclamp
Bend a hook for dipping the buckle into the fluid with contact to the minus pole
Used my 12V 8A Battery charger ( for car batteries )
And an old Tupperware container, use one with a lid to store the fluid

Here is the victim, a brass buckle, polished, heattreated and degreased with acetone.

nickel1.jpg


The nickelelectrolyte must have a temperature from 70 degrees Celsius, I took the bin into the microwave BEFORE installing the CriNi wire.
Installed the wires in opposite to each other. Avoided contact .
Hung the buckle with a hook on the upper wire. it must be completely covered with fluid

nickel2.jpg


The wire with the buckle needs contact to the minus pole, the other one is clamped to plus pole

nickel3.jpg


If everything is done right and the charger works, it must look like an aspirin in green water.
I gave it 5 minutes to get plated

nickel4.jpg


Switched off the charger and grabbed the hook with pliers, because it was HOT.
The hook, not the buckle.

nickel5.jpg

nickel6.jpg


And here is the result:

nickel7.jpg

nickel8.jpg


Here are some other buckles I’ve plated with nickel
SN205431.jpg

SN205434.jpg

SN205453.jpg

SN205458.jpg

SN205463.jpg

SN205464.jpg



Wear gloves and eye protection, do this job not in closed rooms.
And don’t drink that electrolyte ;)

Thank you for looking
Greetz
Uwe
 

ThinkBachs

Mythical Poster
DO NOT TRADE WITH ME
9/2/09
8,915
85
48
Love to see people play with chemicals! Thanks for showing us how you do it. :)
 

trailboss99

Head Honcho - Cat Herder
Staff member
Administrator
Certified
30/3/08
43,582
17,229
113
do this job not in closed rooms.

VERY IMPORTANT! You do NOT want to breath the fumes folks. Not if you wish for a long life at any rate. They will kill you!
 

Timeband

Renowned Member
9/3/10
556
4
0
Done with pleasureTB.

Youre right Boss, it is dangerous and not healthy to handle this stuff.
Greetz
Uwe
 

Wiz

Mythical Poster
9/8/09
6,706
24
0
Thanks a lot for another great DIY, we're very lucky to have you here Uwe!
 

Timeband

Renowned Member
9/3/10
556
4
0
Thanks a lot wiz,
I am glad to read this from a member like you.
I also got a lot of insipirations from your postings.
Greetz
Uwe
 

rol_man

Respected Member
Supporter
Certified
25/7/08
4,754
148
63
Interesting to see how this can be done. Will leave it to the "pros". Thanks for sharing!
 

Timeband

Renowned Member
9/3/10
556
4
0
That is why I love this forum,
share your knowledges and get input from other members.
There is always something we can learn from each other.
Greetz
Uwe