Anode + tank bar question

[WolfeMacleod]

Ok, time for my second stupid question.

I received the nickel plating kit today. I'm impressed withthe speed of Caswell's service.

I've read the manual and set up the tank to what I believe to be correct. Cut the strip down the side of the anodes, bent them back into a hanger. I've made my "tank bar" to hang items from.

My question is: Does the tank bar need to be in contact with the anodes? Or can it hang only it contact withthe tank/bucket? Reading through the manual, some things seem to suggest anode contact, but I cannot find anything that actually says so.
I did find something that suggests only one anode is needed, and to connect positive to the anode, and negative to the tank bar (or was it the other way around?)

I must admit, I have problems with manuals. I find it nearly impossible to learn by reading, and have a very easy time learning by watching and doing. I'm a very visual learner.

I will be plating nickel silver parts that have already been polished to a mirror shine (you can see one just off the end of the tank bar in the picture)

Here's a picture of the setup as it is now, without anything connected to the anodes.:

[KCV6]

Definaltely the tank bar must not come in contact with the anode plates, if it does you will short out the power supply/rectifier.

I would suggest rotating the tank bar 90 degrees so it runs between the anode plates parallel and positioned evenly between the plates.

Hope this helps

Cheers Mark

[WolfeMacleod]

Originally Posted by KCV6

Definaltely the tank bar must not come in contact with the anode plates, if it does you will short out the power supply/rectifier.

I would suggest rotating the tank bar 90 degrees so it runs between the anode plates parallel and positioned evenly between the plates.

Hope this helps

Cheers Mark

Thanks, Mark
I sorta got it figured out about an hour or two ago and have been tinkering ever since. My wife read part of the manual, she's better at reading stuff like that than I. I used a pair of alligator clips to make a connection between the two anode plates.
So far, I've suceeeded in plating a nice brass rod.

And this, which I was pleasanly surprised at it's reaction when I turned up the juice. It looks like burning the item may be useful to me, if I can figure out how to control the reaction....

[MrPontiac]

wolfe, don,t fill bad, i have the same problem you have, i hate to read sometimes, Ive leanred so much from this forums and buy my mistakes, only way to learn i guess, Im still having a few tiny bugs to work out but nothing hard to figure out. Your not showing what rectifier you have and using. If i can help in anyways, fill free to ask away, if i don,t know the answer ill be truthfull with you.

[MrPontiac]

Wolfe, thought id drop you a note to say, i learned the hard way, do not leave your anodes in the solution will not in use, won,t last very long and at 40.00$ a pot well its not cheap either. I take mine out each time, wash em off with hot water, air dry.

[WolfeMacleod]

Originally Posted by MrPontiac

Wolfe, thought id drop you a note to say, i learned the hard way, do not leave your anodes in the solution will not in use, won,t last very long and at 40.00$ a pot well its not cheap either. I take mine out each time, wash em off with hot water, air dry.

Yeah, I was curious about that last night and did some searcing. Although I left them in last night, I think I'll take them out tonight and for the future.
I got two "OK" platings on a couple small brass peices last night. Not great, but OK. I wasn't using the agitator though, because there's not much room left once it's put in the bucket. I'm trying another one now, with the agitator, to see how well it works.

So, the anodes themselves...are they just plain nickel sheets?

[KCV6]

Yep, the anodes are nickel sheet.

I found the best thing is to just be risigned to the fact that it will only get better with time. I am now turning out some very good pieces but still have the occasional oooops LOL.

cheers