New Guy with a million questions

[superglide56]

Hello everyone.

I have been wanting to buy a Caswell plating system for several years. Found one on ebay a few weeks ago. It is the Triple plating system, which included tanks already containing chemicals (Cu, Ni, Cr) and the SP. Also a pretty good inventory of unused chemicals. The system included a 10 amp rectifier and 100 amp rectifier. And a pretty well built cabinet for the tanks with lighting and exhaust. Paid $450, not sure how well I did.

The Anodes were left in all the tanks, which he said has been for about a year. From what I read in my Caswell manual, the Anodes for the Cu and Ni should be ok, but the Cr might be a problem. Any advice?

Should the solutions be ok?

I have a lot of questions, but will try to find the answers myself before troubling anyone on the forum.

Superglide.

[superglide56]

Was hoping for a response or two on this forum. Tested a 4x4 piece of copper sheet today in the Nickel bath. Heater did not work, and the pH was 5.6. Can't find anything on what to use to lower pH. ?

[moto-chrome]

Superglide,

WElcome to the club. To start with you made a good buy because just the 100 amp rectifier is a very costly item. My nickel bath is at 5.8 and I get good results. Never tried to adjust it but I believe the Caswell manual suggests using Ammonia. The heaters, well they don't last that long. Lately I have been using Aquarium heaters - the AquaClear 70 model from Hagen. If you clip off the protrusion on the adjustment knob it allows you to boost the setpoint to 110 deg. and they're glass so they last forever.

If you've never done this before you will most likely have problems getting a good waterbreak test. I suggest you immediately buy a bottle of CeramaBryte or other ceramic stovetop cleaner available in your area. These cleaners contain small amounts of Nitric acid and they do a great job.

[moto-chrome]

Rectification. if you want to lower the pH of bright nickel solution you should use Muriatic acid. If you have a Caswell manual you'll find instructions on page 6.