Classic Rotary Phones Forum

Telephone Identification, Repair & Restoration => Technical "Stuff" => Topic started by: dencins on April 23, 2011, 07:20:08 PM

Title: Ringer Box Bells & Parts - Nickel Plate
Post by: dencins on April 23, 2011, 07:20:08 PM
Thanks to Bill Geurts (phonesrfun) for supplying the parts I was able to nickel plate a set of parts from a ringer box.  The process for all the parts except the eschusion plate was strip nickel, buff, nickel plate then polish.  Because the eschusion plate is so thin, that process was strip nickel, buff, copper plate, buff, nickel plate then polish.

These are the before and after pictures...

Dennis
Title: Re: Ringer Box Bells & Parts - Nickel Plate
Post by: Phonesrfun on April 23, 2011, 08:04:25 PM
I am so VERY pleased with the results.  Now the 295A box begs to be refinished now that it's sporting new bells.  Here is the before and after on the same bells but on the box.

Dennis, this is stunning.  Thanks again!

Title: Re: Ringer Box Bells & Parts - Nickel Plate
Post by: JorgeAmely on April 23, 2011, 08:29:25 PM
Dennis:

You should have warned us about the plated parts.  Now I will be blind for the next few hours.  ;)
Title: Re: Ringer Box Bells & Parts - Nickel Plate
Post by: bingster on April 23, 2011, 10:40:08 PM
Really beautiful.  It's been mentioned that the process involves stripping the old nickel off the parts, but how is that done?
Title: Re: Ringer Box Bells & Parts - Nickel Plate
Post by: dencins on April 23, 2011, 11:53:56 PM
Quote from: bingster on April 23, 2011, 10:40:08 PM
Really beautiful.  It's been mentioned that the process involves stripping the old nickel off the parts, but how is that done?
I use a product called MetalX B-929 that I bought from Caswell.  It makes one gallon of solution that I store in bottle that had distilled water.  When I use it I put it in a 2 gallon stainless steel cooking pot on a hot plate heated to 140 degrees F with heavy aeration.  It comes with instructions.

Dennis
Title: Re: Ringer Box Bells & Parts - Nickel Plate
Post by: djtownsend on May 07, 2011, 02:10:40 PM
As for restoring the wooden box, if you sand it down to bare wood, you have the option of using Tung Oil as a finish.  It brings out the natural beauty of the wood.  It then needs multiple coats of poly.

My 2 cents.

Dan