[Jewelry making - Article 00013] - Re: [Orchid] Re-plating a water pitcher

[David L. Huffman]

========[ Invite a Friend - http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm  ]========


>         I was wanting to re-plate a silverplated water pitcher. Roughly
>     it is about 10inches high with a 7inch diameter and a handle. the
>     guy i talked to online told me it would cost anywhere between $150.
>     and $300 to replate and i thought that was outrageous as i can buy
>     a good eloctroplater and all the stuff i need to do it myself for
>     about $300 to $400 mike in michigan 

    Hi Mike; Sorry to inform you of this, but those prices are probably
    the best you'll get.  Re-plating these things and getting it to look
    like what your customer expects is not easy without the right
    equipment and training.  The old plating has to be removed.  Part of
    this process is electrochemical, and part is plain old hand work. 
    The plating equipment is quite sophisticated, not the kind you can
    get from a jewelry supply catalog, as it plates for a while, strips a
    while, then plates a while, to keep the plating from building up
    faster along edges.  Temperatures are tightly controlled. Cleanliness
    is very thourough.  Cyanide is involved, so the ventilation is
    critical.  There are often strike coats of copper involved.  Yes, I
    agree, the price is discouraging.  Your best bet is to find out the
    price of a new article of similar size and quality.  Then let your
    customer decide if it's worth it.  Most of the plating companies
    offer very attractive guarantees for the customer.  They do a great
    job.  Don't take on this project unless: 

    A. your customer doesn't want to spend the money and will let you
    "experiment" on the piece. . . they agree to take what they get,
    even if it's a mess. 

    B. you're interested in taking up an entirely new career and can lay
    out the cash for the equipment and training (and get the customer to
    wait till your ready for your first work. 

    Otherwise, you'll spend a lot of time and some money and get some
    pretty dismal results.  Now if I turn out to be wrong and you find a
    way to make it work, you can string me up for a public flogging. 
    Best of luck. 

David L. Huffman


____________________________________________________________________
T h e   O r c h i d   L i s t
Open Electronic Forum for Jewelry Manufacturing Methods and Procedures
____________________________________________________________________
Orchid FAQ:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/faq.htm
Orchid Archives:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/archive
Orchid Galleries:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/gallery.htm
Invite a Friend:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm
____________________________________________________________________
Tips From The Jeweler's Bench - Article Archive
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/tip_sear.htm
The Jeweler's Selected Bibliography List
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/jewelry-books
Buy Orchid Jewelry:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/shop
____________________________________________________________________
-Unsubscribe:
-Email: orchid-request AT ganoksin.com Body=unsubscribe subject=blank
____________________________________________________________________