On Sun, 27 Dec 1998 22:24:30 "Phil T. (VE3OZZ)" <phil@vaxxine.com>
writes:
>
>
>>Good info Dick but possibly regional in availability. I have been
>using
>>Tarn-X for several years now but Wal-Mart is the only place within
>about
>>20 miles of here that carries it. The instructions say not to dip
>silver
>>into the solution but I find that sometimes is the only way that
>works. I
>>pour some into a small plastic container and use an old toothbrush
>to do
>>the cleaning. You can reuse the solution several times if you filter
>thru
>>a paper towl or coffee filter but eventually it has to be thrown
>away.
>>
>>For polish, I use BLITZ brand Silver Care with tarnish retardant also
>at
>>Wal-Mart but only $2.97 for 8oz.
>>
>>Does that Silversmith stuff really work for RF use? I've no personal
>>experience with plating but have read several posts elsewhere over
>the
>>years that real electroplating is the only proper procedure.
>>
>>Which brings up another question. I am considering building a basic
>>electroplater for silver. Do I need pure silver or can I use plated
>stuff
>>for the source? If I cant use plated scrap, what is required to
>seperate
>>the silver from the copper or whatever? Any books to check out of
>the
>>library?
>>
>>73 Carl KM1H
>>
>Carl, you don't need pure silver. The most common electroplating
>solution
>for silver plating is silver cyanide. Cyanide gas is evolved during
>the
>electroplating process so it should be done in the garage with the
>doors
>open, or on the deck or patio or whatever. If you use a pure silver
>electrode, you still need potassium cyanide for the electrolyte.
>Might as
>well buy the silver cyanide solution already made up.
That makes sense Phil. I have a bunch of old silver plated stuff that I
was hoping had some use in an electroplating project.
>
>I have a friend who is head of the electronics lab at a local
>university.
>They have an electroplating kit they use for for plating rf parts and
>connectors with gold and silver.
Ask him why the silver plated parts cant be used in the potassium cyanide
or how would I strip and convert to silver cyanide. What to the precious
metal salvagers use?
Not that I cant go and buy the right stuff but this would be an
interesting learning experience.....outdoors of course!
He's offered to loan it to me but I
>haven't taken him up on it yet. Why don't I borrow this thing and
>the
>solutions and get all the particulars (voltage, current, time,
>solution
>souces etc). I'll pass the info along and maybe save you some time.
Possibly many of us Phil.
73 Carl KM1H
>
>I've learned from this guy that a "matt" finish is far superior to a
>"mirror" finish for rf work - apparently better conductivity and
>longevity,
>and the film is thicker which is important for rf. Mirror finish is
>good
>cosmetically, but not AS good as matt finish for rf. I recently
>looked
>inside an AL-1200 and saw that the tank L had a matt finish.
>
>Phil
>
>
>
>
>--
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>
>
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