Re: [Harp-L] Re: plating reed plates

[Larry Sandy <slyou65@xxxxxxxxx>]

I agree that the chrome plating should not cause problems with properly set up reed plates because the gap is larger than 1/1000" and chrome plating can  be that or thicker.  I am not sure how the cleaning chemicals would affect the reeds but if the reeds and the mounting area could be protected from them, as well as preventing plating the reeds, that would be almost ideal.  Retrochroming reed plates is a novel idea as I see it.

Alternately, it could be extremely desirable if  just the area of lip contact could be plated to protect against brass allergic reactions. IF a small plating device is available it should be possible to carefully plate specific areas, similar to etching images on glass.

 Of course a few individuals are allergic to chrome, or one of it's components, but that is another issue.

Lockjaw Larry
Thinking outside the box daily



________________________________
 From: Michael Easton <diachrome@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx 
Sent: Tuesday, November 13, 2012 5:43 PM
Subject: [Harp-L] Re: plating reed plates
 
Hohner plates the Toots chromatic model.
I forget if it's both or just the Mellow Tone model.

The width of the long slot Toots reeds measure  the same width as long slot non C-270 reeds.

The plating is not thick enough to cause problems within the slots or the rivet holes.
If plated correctly it could tighten up the gap the same as embossing.

One has to be careful about cleaning parts throughly of finger prints before plating.
I've plated my fingerprints onto some items using silver plating in the past.
That shows you how thin you can apply plating

The buildup of plating can be  based on the amount of time you leave it in the bath and how well you prep
the item to be plated beforehand.

btw, you can plate without getting into the slots.  Just add a thin layer of wax to the areas you don't want plated.

To plate over wax you have to move to the subject of electro forming.

Someone mentioned in another post about anodizing.   Anodizing is the process of adding an electrical charge or heat to
aluminum or titanium to produce a change in color.    Electroplating is using an electrical charge to transfer metal particles from one element to the surface of another.
Stripping is a reversal of the positive and negative electrodes to draw the plating off the element.


On Nov 13, 2012, at 9:08 AM, harp-l-request@xxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> Message: 3
> Date: Mon, 12 Nov 2012 22:46:36 -0600
> From: karen mass <kdmass7@xxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: [Harp-L] Chrome plating reed plates
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Message-ID:
>     <CAG33h7ESR8DHuqenoC0jL6weOZP5Yx5XwA8x1m=s56-995mUzA@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
> 
> this isn't a very good idea.
> 
> first, it would have to be done with all the reeds removed, as the plating
> will enlarge them in all three axis, and would greatly change their pitch.
> the reeds will no longer fit in their holes.
> second, it would decrease the size of the holes, making it completely
> impossible for the reeds to vibrate in place, even if the reeds were
> removed prior to plating and replaced afterward.
> 
> after plating was complete and reassembly was attempted, the holes for the
> rivets would be too small, and forcing the rivets or screws into those
> holes would cause the plating to break, exposing the brass underneath.
> clearing the reed holes would also result in plating breakage.   in my
> experience, plating breaks like old paint chips.  irregularly and prone to
> creating strips of unplated metal.
> 
> i imagine there might be some way to mask parts of the plate (without
> reeds) to avoid these problems, but i have no idea of what they are, and i
> certainly can't see any benefits from plating.
> 
> keep thinking outside the box though.   lotsa good stuff comes from that!
> 
> iowaplayer

Take Care
Mike
www.harmonicarepair.com