Plating lots of brass screws

[boxmaker]

Hi

I need to plate lots of small brass screws and was thinking getting a thin strip of steel with holes drilled in it to hold the screws.

What I want to know is as brass has to be activated will the steel do this for all the screws and will the strip of steel plate as well? So when I need to plate more screws will the strip, which is now plated, still activate the brass? Or clean the nickel of the strip back to steel?

hope thats clear

boxmaker

[KCV6]

Having plated many small screws and the like, I would recomend using copper wire. wrap around one thred once and twist once and repeat at intervals so they are not touching each other. I usually plate for about half the required time, then take the wire string out and turn each screw a thread or two then degrease activate and finish plating. this ensures all surfaces are plated.

A great cheap source of copper wire in varying thicknesses can be purchased at the hardware store, or electrical supplies store, as mains power and earth wire. Just strip the outer sleeving off and use the strands, they are not coated.

Cheers Mark

[boxmaker]

Thanks Mark

I didnt know the copper would activate the brass for nickel plating.

Now I do.

Cheers

Boxmaker

[KCV6]

Damn My bad.. I should have read your question better LOL.

I now assume you are using electroless nickel?

The copper should still be ok to wire it up, but you may still need to "steel strike it to get the process to start. The wire will plate as well. advantage of using thin copper wire is you waste less nickel plating stuff other than the items you want plated. You may want confirmation of this from one of the Caswell people.

Cheers Mark