I do all of my own nickel plating and my experience may help others
decide if it is worth the trouble.  The main advantage is that it
allows me to do a lot of parts that I would not send away to be plated due
to fears having irreplaceable parts lost.  This does happen.  Doing my
own plating also allows me to plate new parts that sometimes need to be
made, e.g., tracking devices.

The steps involved are relatively simple.  Thorough cleaning, rust
removal, cleaning, removal of old nickel (I use a chemical stripper for
this), another cleaning, polishing and buffing, into 30% HCl acid for ten
seconds then plating.  However each stage involves learning the tech-
niques involved and also learning what to look for.  Although my plating
supply company was most helpful, a lot had to be learned by trial and
error.  A frustrating process.

The major costs associated with doing plating at home are the setting up
of the equipment needed.  Each round of plating is relatively cheap after
this (especially if you do not count your time).  The equipment I use
consists of 2 buffs (i.e. four mops) although a third buff would be
useful, amperage regulator, the bath, nickel solution (this comes with
brighteners already added), a submersible pump which provides good
agitation, and a heating element.  I use nickel beads in titanium baskets
to plate from.  Numerous waxes are used for polishing, wire wheels, sand
paper wheels, copper wire for suspending items etc.

Another drawback for the home plater is that on some items minimum
quantities must be purchased.  One such example is the nickel stripper.
This consists of two acids which are mixed.  I recently had to buy 25
litres of each (cost $480) and I use approximately 1 litre per player
action.

Although it is difficult to give an accurate amount, I estimate I spent
about $2000 setting up a bath which holds 25 - 50 litres.  Most of my
work can be done in 25 litres of plating solution.  As a professional
restorer I have been able to recover these costs, but I do not see how
this would be possible for the hobbyist doing one-off restorations.  Some
companies offer 'plating kits' but you still need your buffs etc., and
most of your equipment.

Although I am quite happy to help others set up their own plating works,
I do not accept plating jobs.

Herbert Miller
http://penscape.com.au/coolmill