 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: wjk
Date: 2003-01-23 18:56
I'm evaluating a selmer series 9 that seems to have lost some plating on the Ab key (or the plating is faded on the side of the key). Can the key be re-plated or replaced--- or is it "fine the way it is" ?
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2003-01-23 19:26
Replating of keys (either nickel or silver) can be done in the neighborhood of $200 or so. That's for all the keys. I don't know if shops do individual keys. I suppose they could.
Yeah, that throat Ab key is always the first to go.
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Author: Bob
Date: 2003-01-23 22:31
Re-plating of individual keys is probably impractical for a number of reasons but mainly because of the cost. Replating of all keys,posts,etc on a horn is something most people would probably only consider on a very special horn. If you simply "like" the horn just live with it.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-01-23 22:40
It should be fairly easy for a local jeweler to replate with a 'pen' method. Caswell Electroplating sells kits for this purpose.
Remember - the plating layer will only be as smooth as the base layer below. If that surface is rough, the plating results will be rough also.
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2003-01-24 04:21
Synonymous is correct that "pen" plating is a viable option for the replating of a single key. In fact, the key would not even have to be removed from the instrument if care is taken. The only problem is that the amount of silver deposited by this method is very thin, so do not expect the plating job to last forever -- or even very long. Fortunately, it's rather quick and inexpensive. You might consider investing in the equipment and solution yourself. The cost is reasonable.
Regards,
John
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Author: Wes
Date: 2003-01-24 04:27
Anderson Plating in Elkart, IN does great work on key plating and would accept a set of key parts sent to them to be plated at a reasonable rate.
"Spot plating" can be done to single keys but it is very time consuming to get a thick coat on them. They can be plated on the instrument. I've done this with a setup that included a 12 volt battery charger, a flat electrode covered with a piece of thick cloth epoxied on it, two wires, a 50-ohm resistor, and a bottle of plating solution(probably silver nitrate). Since the plating is thin, it will probably wear off soon. Good luck!!
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Author: Bob
Date: 2003-01-24 13:26
I agree with the comments above re spot plating and would be happy to be proven wrong about individual part cost based on the Elkhart deal. I forgot to mention previously that I did correspond with a metal clarinet enthusiast at one time who routinely took old horns to Brazil for replating at reasonable cost.
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2003-01-24 15:35
Notr really surprising, Bob. The value of the silver that's deposited is negligible, as silver costs only a few dollars an ounce. A pound of the stuff would be about as much as dinner for two at a moderately-priced restaurant. The biggest costs involved by far are for handling, processing, and the overheads necessary to deal with toxic materials when large amounts are involved..
Regards,
John
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Author: jbutler
Date: 2003-01-24 19:37
It's not the cost of the materials to plate that is expensive. It is keeping up with all the EPA requirements that costs money. I looked into starting a small plating operation two years ago just to plate clarinet keys....well I guess I could have done it clandestine, but with all the local/state/federal fees and guidelines it was going to cost somewhere between $11,000 and $12,000 US just to get started. Needless to say, I'm not plating keys.
jbutler
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Author: Bob
Date: 2003-01-25 16:11
jbutler is right on the mark re why plating is currently so expensive. Specific costs are partly dependent on just where,geographically, the operation is located both in the U.s. and elsewhere.
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