Metal finishing Q&As since 1989
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Setting up for casket-handle chrome-plating
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We produce caskets for local sales and export to Europe. We also sell, on a small scale, casket handles.
At this time we purchase handles from a US manufacturer with a decorative chrome (yellow or nickel) type of finish. I calculated we now use a surface of about 1,700 sqft (300 sets) of handles per month (850 sqft double sided). Price of buying the product finished or plain steel-stamped, non-finished, is about $3,500 more.
We are considering to do chrome plating in house. I know of the principle of chrome plating, and I am an engineer and willing to learn, but we have no in-depth knowledge of the chrome plating system yet. We do have low-cost labor, so we prefer a high-labor manual system to an automated one.
So I'm looking for knowledge on:
- What is the best system to install in my case, brush, tank or other type of plating?
- Ease of setup vs. an acceptable quality fast.
- Would the expense be better vs. what I pay now to buy finished product. How much does plating cost per sq. ft. using the various systems?
- If I use brush plating, I only have to do the outside, is this material savings substantial enough to consider it vs. tank plating?
I appreciate your help, and information for us to make a decision on the subject of starting our own chrome plating.
Stefan V
casket manufacturing - Port-au-Prince, Haiti
2005
A. Plating cost very much depends on volume and type of plate or plating system. To give you an idea, Electroless Nickel, which is among the most expensive platings besides precious metals, of course, should be around US$10.00 per sq.ft. for very high volumes apart from secondary operations such as pre-polishing and buffing. Your estimate of $3,500.00 a month seems very low to justify a plating shop no matter yours is a low labor cost country. You may prefer to go shopping elsewhere for your finished parts and hopefully find better prices.
Guillermo MarrufoMonterrey, NL, Mexico
A. Whilst not offering a cheaper plating price, I am running the risk of taking this subject someplace else.
The cost for EN in India with present Nickel prices would be about 3.5 US$ for 10 microns per sq.ft.
Khozem Vahaanwala
Saify Ind
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
A. Dear Mr. Vahanwala,
Thanks for the follow up. I made a mistake and forgot to say that the US$10.00 per sq.ft. figure is per thousand of an inch or per 25 microns, which is pretty close to your figure.
Regards,
Monterrey, NL, Mexico
A. Stefan,
I would suggest asking someone like Mr Vahanwala to sell you plated casket handles.
He will be happy to do it economically.
Asif Nurie [deceased] [deceased]
- New Delhi, India
With deep sadness we acknowledge the passing of Asif on Jan 24, 2016
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