Caswell zinc copy-cad plating kit....

[Jim V.]

Been I-ballin these kits for awhile now... Is the caswell rectifier required or is there another less expensive option...?

What other so-called options are required? I am trying to get the full picture on startup costs for doing my own zinc and possibly black oxide and black phosphate plating for my current 65 resto.

Thanks

[Jack H.]

Re: Caswell zinc copy-cad plating kit....

There's nothing 'secret' about a regulated power supply that lets you independently set output voltage and current. Any good used laboratory bench grade power supply with a DC voltage range of 0-6 or 0-10 VDC and an adjustable current range of 0-6 Amps will do the trick. My favorite is the HP 6281A that you can find up on eBay and typically ****** for something like $50.

On what your total start-up costs will be, it depends on how much capacity you're after. A 1-gal system will do the lion's share of small parts (nuts, bolts, and items up to 6-8 inches long). Figure you're looking at something in the range of $200 to get up and running...

[Donald T.]

Re: Caswell zinc copy-cad plating kit....

Jim,

A rectifier is not required, but I would highly recommend it. It makes controlling the current much easier. It's possible to use batteries as a power supply, and a series of light bulbs to control current. However, it becomes a complicated science project. There are other alternatives listed in the Caswell manual as well, but they all complicate the process. There is enough of a learning curve as it is, without complicating matters further.

Also, not just any power supply will produce optimal results. First, you need a rectifier that is precise enough to control output to a fraction of an amp. Second, power supplies will create ripple when they convert AC into DC. Ripple is AC current that remains unconverted in the output, and it can affect the plating finish. A purpose built plating rectifier will be designed to reduce ripple, and should produce better results. Batteries are pure DC and will produce ripple free current, but contolling the current becomes complicated.

The bottom line is that it's best to pony up the $100 for the 3 or 5 amp recitifier sold by Caswell. It takes some practice, but once you get the hang of it, you can produce excellent results with the kit.

Good luck!

[Randy R.]

Re: Caswell zinc copy-cad plating kit....

I ordered black phosphate solution from Shootersolutions.com. The illustrations show the solution being heating on a burner in a stainless container. I heat it in a plastic bowl in a microwave. I have given up heating the zinc plating solution with an aquarium heater. I also heat this in a microwave. This is a time saver.

I would recommend the 5 amp size power supply.

Randy

[Gerard F.]

Re: Caswell zinc copy-cad plating kit....

Jim,

In addition to Jack's HP power supply you could look for a Kikusui 8-5 or 16-10. (The numbers are max. volts-max. amps) The 8-5 has a very fine adjustment.
With the new Caswell mixes, and larger parts, a power supply is a must. You can't really get anything done (except very small parts) with the AC adapter they give you with the kit.

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[Greg L.]

Re: Caswell zinc copy-cad plating kit....

Hi Jim,

Check this out!

https://www.ncrs.org/forum/archive29.cgi?review=254506

You should be able to get going with the black oxide and phosphate for around $50. That should include the solution and flea market type crock pots.

The Caswell kit will be a lot more but I don't think you will ever regret the investment... I'm still finding the odd piece of hardware that needs to be plated so I just do them as I find them rather than run to the platers every time I need something done.

Depending what size and amount of parts you plan to plate at the same time I wouldn't consider anything less than 20amp(the link will explain why)! Caswell has also changed their solution and the new one requires a lot more current so that is why I'm saying 20amp minimum. I actually have a 30amp one but have yet to try it because my set-up is in the garage and it's been well below freezing for the past few months.

I would say that the cost to set up is more like $400 or so but if you are doing a full restoration it's well worth it as it's very hard to put a price on convinience and piece of mind that nothing will get lost at the platers!

Let me know if you have any questions.

Greg

[Greg L.]

Re: Caswell zinc copy-cad plating kit....

Hi Jerry,

I just remembered that Caswell doesn't even include the AC adapter anymore due to the increased power requirement of the new solution.

I regards to my "Tim Allen(MORE POWER)" 30amp power supply, I hope(fingers crossed) that I will be able to fine tune it down enough to do small items like a screw or a bolt... I was told that it will work just fine turned way down but it's always in the back of my mind....

[Jim V.]

Hey Greg...I mean Tim......

So where do you get one of those Binford power supplies? 30 amps!!!!! Are you doubling as the the regional electric chair executioner?

It seems where ever I go you have been there...done that. And yes I have many concerns.... first is what do I need and second is how can I get it for cheeeeep....Yes I am dollar challenged.

Thanks

[Greg L.]

Re: Hey Greg...I mean Tim......

Hey Jim!

executioner? hmm ya don't need 30amps for that! ...even my old 3 amp one got my attention a time or two...or was that the rust removal trick with the battery charger? I seem to have an attraction to electrcity and water for some reason!

I bought mine off of ebay for around $250 or so. It is a Mastech so if you search under that name you should find one. I think any 30 amp variable power supply should work so don't restrict yourself to Mastech. You may not even need a 30 amp one but I just had so much grief trying to do smaller items with the 3 amp one that I figured I had better go hard or go home! I also read someplace that you don't want to run a power supply continuoisly at more than 80% of it's rating so a 3a one shouldn't be used at much over 2a...which is probably why I SMOKED my original 3a one!!

I would think that for most items a 20a would be just fine but I still have to do my vacuum actuators so given the size of them, 30a should JUST be able to do it with the new solution. I have a little buffer here because I am using the OLD solution.

If you want a cheap one just keep searching ebay or maybe phone around to electronic repair stores because they may have an old unit that is no longer used. I wish I could recommend a size for you but untill I try my 30a one all I can say is that a 3a one will barely do a vacuum advance unit! Jerry has done far more than I have and to be honest I learnt most of what I know from him, with "seanc" on the Caswell forum helping me out with my power supply problems. Like I said, a 20a will probably do you just fine...I just wanted to make sure that I could plate my vacuum actuators and for the little extra it cost to upgrade from 20a to 30a I decided to go for it.

I guess the reason it seams like I've been there and done that is because I am cheap and also want to do as much as I can myself. I find that being cheap where I can allows me to be able to bite the bullet when I have to like on a alternator(not cheap)! It's also so easy just to ask for help on this forum because there are so many knowledgible people here! Without the help of these people I'd still be missusing a spray bomb for a lot of my resto!

One thing I learned years ago is that there is cheap and there is economical. The set up cost for the Caswell kit may seem expensive but if you add up all the running around to the platers for missed items plus what they charge along with the convienience of being able to cad and zinc plate pieces yourself at home, the cost of the set up isn't too bad.

Have a look at the link I posted AND the link on it to the question I posted on the Caswell forum because there is a weath of info on both of them.

If the "learning curve" concerns you, don't let it. With Jerry's help and the instructions in the kit, it is almost fool proof because I had no problems with small items right off the bat. The problems came when I tried to use Caswells "out in left field" power requirements!

Did you ever get manage to get to the Winter Regionals?

Tim

[Jim V.]

Re: Hey Greg...I mean Tim......

Yep...I did make it down to the sunny south for the FLNCRS and a family visit. Hope you also enjoyed the event. Sorry I never got it together to contact you.

I am trying to get my firewall & forward project moving to enjoy this coming season. The motor, front frame, and front suspension are all in the works. Plating fasteners is part of the reassembly issue. The budget is blown....and there are a lot of compromise decisions to be made. I am especially tied up in engineering the motor rebuild....especially dynamic compression and cam issues. So....thanks again. There is something spiritual about renewing stuff....suppose you know what I mean?

You coming to BG here in Chicago?

thanks and regards
JimV

[Greg L.]

Re: Hey Greg...I mean Tim......

Hey Jim,

Yes it would have been nice to grab a beer or coffee with you in Orlando but maybe next year! ...I think I'm hooked on that Winter meet!

I'm going to try and get to Bloomington, Boston, and/or Carlisle this year. I can't afford them all and Carlisle is first on my list so I might have to flip a coin on the other two!

Cheers,

Greg