Build Your Own Barrel Plater

[lcaswell]

Seanc, a regular contributor on our forums and zinc plating expert has constructed a small, cost effective barrel plating machine to plate batches of parts without the need to wire each one up.

See Plating Barrel | zinc plating

As Sean stated:

"I had hoped to get others involved in the technical aspects, perhaps come up w/some improvements or better methods/components. I'm sure with enough "bright minds" thinking about it, it could be improved significantly."

[NOL4154]

Sean,
Looks good and very creative. Questions, how do you maintain the temperature of the zinc bath? Question two where did you purchase the basket, motor, etc...
Nol4154


As Sean stated:

"I had hoped to get others involved in the technical aspects, perhaps come up w/some improvements or better methods/components. I'm sure with enough "bright minds" thinking about it, it could be improved significantly."

[seanc]

Originally Posted by NOL4154

Looks good and very creative.

Thank you. It has some limitations, but works well enough.

how do you maintain the temperature of the zinc bath?

When needed, I use simple aquarium heaters.

where did you purchase the basket, motor, etc...

One of the design goals was that everything should be off-the-shelf at typical retail stores.

While I did use some pieces that I had on-hand in my scrap bins (metal pendulum weights, plastic spacer bits, tie-wraps, copper braid, etc.), they could be bought cheap at any typical hardware store.

The rotisserie motor I got off ebay, but again, could be bought locally (most likely at higher cost though).

Everything else I purchased at local hardware & grocery stores.

All outlined on the "How it's made" pages.

Sean