TS 670 > . ( ^^ ^ %• 'T'^ ^>^ ^ ^/^M^^^\ ^j .-^ THE ELECTRO-PLATERS' GUIDE; OR, Electro-plating Made Easy. A COMPLETE MANUAL OF INSTRUCTION m THE ART OF Gold, Silver^ Nickle, and Copper Plating. ^^ NE"^ TOEK: FEEDERICK LOWEY, MAXUFACTUKER OF ALL K!NOS OF ELECTRO PLATERS' SUPPLIES P.O. Box 4-210. 75 Nassau Street. /P >w '^O,^ 1S73- ^ Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1876, by Fkkdeiuck Lowey, in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at "Washington, D. C. .s AN INTEODUCTION THAT WILL PAY FOR EEADING. The art of electroplating is an invention of modern date, and has hitherto been kept in the hands of a few, who have monopo- lized the whole business. But now an op- portunity is offered to all to acquire this very simple and lucrative business. There is scai'cely a town or village in the United States but would give sufficient employment for at least one operator. The uses of electro- plating are constantly extending. To meet a want that has long been felt, has been the design of the author of this little manual, who can well remember the trouble that he had when a boy to get the apparatus that was wanted to perform simple experiments in chemistry. No small or cheap sets of apparatus were then known, and not having a pocket full of money he had to con- struct his own. Having had to make oxygen 1^ INTRODUCTION. gas at one time, and having no apparatns at hand, he took the chimney from his mother's lamp, put a cork in the upper end of it, then taking a basin of water he tilled the chimney with water and inverted it in the basin ; to generate the gas, he took a three-drachm vial and half filled it with chlorate of potash and peroxide of manganese in about equal proportions; having placed a small glass tube in a cork, he placed the cork in the bot- tle, and taking a small rubber tube he con- nected the bottle with the mouth of the chimney. Everything was now ready /or starting. Taking the small bottle up in his hand he held it over a kerosene lamp, and in a few moments the gas came bubbling over into the chimney, displacing the water in it, and in a few minutes it was full of gas. Now taking a small piece of cork, he placed upon it a little piece of phosphorus, and touched it with a hot wire, which ignited it; then he lifted up the chimney and placed it over the cork, and the result was a light of dazzling brilliancy. This is one of the most brilliant experiments that is performed upon INTEODUCTION. '^ lU the lecture table ; and in this way he had to proceed in all his studies. So that he is able to fully appreciate the difficulties which young students have to encounter in their studies, and will even hold himself ready to help them, not only in selecting apparatus, but also in showing them how they can con- struct their own apparatus, and thus save their money. It is his cherished desire to foster in the youth of this country a stronger desire for scientific studies, to take the place of the light and vile matter which publish- ers claiming to be Christians are spreading broadcast over the land, and which is killing the rising generation. For this purpose the author is getting up sets of cheap apparatus, with which any one can perform some of the most brilliant and beautiful experiments known in natural and chemical philosophy, so that they will be- come so interested in the study that one ex- periment will drag them into another, until finally they will have brought themselves through a thorough course of study in the natural sciences. IV C INTEODUCTION. It was this that prompted him to make these small batteries, so that boys and even men might take hold of one of these and learn the whole ins and outs of one of the most interesting as well as one of the most profitable trades. "With one of these batte- ries any one with ordinary brains can set to work and plate knives, forks, spoons, rings, and various other small articles, to the in- tense interest of the whole family, who are gathered around to see the article gradually assume a silvery white a'ppearance, and who wonder why it is they can not see the little grains of silver flying through the solution to fasten itself to the article. Now where money is an object, this is just the thing. Where is there a place that will not support at least one silverplater, to say nothing of the large cities, which caa sup- port hundreds. Then there is electrotyping, a trade that paid in this city to a good electro- typer $40 and even $50 a week, and they are hard to get even at that money. Now what is there to prevent you from studying up this subject with one of these small bat- INTRODUCTION. V teries? You will have everything that is necessary, with a press and melting-pan, to go through the whole operation of an elec- trotype foundry, only on a small scale, but you can get as good an impression as they can, only not so large. Thus, with a little practice you will be able to fill a lucrative position in some silverplating or electro- typing foundry. This is a business that is very easily learned, is light, easily started in, and pays largely. Such offers as this have never been made before. Think over it, and see if you do not think it will pay you to send for one of these bat- teries. Now, friends, do not be afraid to write to us, for nothing will please us half so well as to think that we have been the means of helping some student along, for we well re- member that we were once a student, and would have been thankful for an ofler like this. Feedekiok Lowet, P.O. Box 4210. 75 Nassau Street, New York. THE ART OF ELECTEOTYPING. THE THEOrvY OF THE ELECTBOTTPE PEOCESS. The electrotype process may be defined generally as the art of depositing metals upon suitable surfaces by means of a current of voltaic electricity. What voltaic electri- city IS. and how it acts in producing metallic deposits, may be easily shown by a few simple experiments. Fici. Place a clean slip of zinC — say a couple ol inches long and an inch wide — upon your tongue, and a silver coin — a dime, for in- stance—under it, taking care not to let the metals touch each other. As long as the coin and the zinc are separated, no percep- tible effect is produced ; Jut allow them to touch each other, as shown in Fig. 1, and you will esperiencG a peculiar tingling sen- sation in the tongue, accompanied by a me- tallic or saline taste. These sensations are repeated as otten as tlie two metals are joined or separated. In this simple experiment lies the whole principle of the production of voltaic elec- tricity, and the effects experienced depend on the following laws: — I. Whenever two different metals are placed in a liquid and joined, electricity is generated on the surface of that metal which is most easily acted upon by the liquid, and flows toward the other. For example, in the pre- sent case the zinc is more easily acted upon by the saliva than the silver, the consequence being that a current of electricitj^ starts from the surface of the zinc, travels through the saliva and the tongue to the silver, and so round to the zinc again, in the direction of the arrows in Fig. 1. In passing through the tongne,the current stimulates the nerves of that organ, and slightly decomposes the saliva, giving rise to the sensations already described. It will be as well to impress firmly on your mind the course taken by the ciirrent, as you will find this knowledge exceedingly useful in future experiments. The positions of the metals* may of course be reversed without in any way altering the effects of the experiment. By varying this simple experiment in one or two ways, we may gain a little more in- formation on the subject. Vash the mouth out with salt and water, and repeat the experiment. You will now find that the sensations you formerly felt are increased, owing to the fact that the salt and water acting more energetically on the zinc than plain saliva, and consequently produc- ing a stronger current of electricity. This experiment enables us to lay down another law: — II. The stronger the chemical action on the zinc, the greater is the amount of elec- tricity produced. Secondly, we may substi- tute a piece of gold or lead for the silver coin. In the case of the gold, we shall find an increase of electrical power, while with the lead we shall find, on the contrary, a decrease. The reason of these changes will require a little explanation. "* I have before said, and we have found it to be true by the first experiment, that when zinc is acted upon by a liquid it throws off a current of electricity. Now, this is not only true of zinc, but also of iron, lead, silver, gold, and all other metals, but to a much less extent. When, therefore, a plate of lead 6 is used with the zinc, the saliva acts on both, a strong current of electricity being set up by the zinc, and an opposition weak one by the lead ; the real value of the zinc current is consequently reduced by that flowing from the lead. With silver, the opposition current is still less, silver being only very slightly influenced by the saliva ; while with gold, which is practically uuafi'ected, we obtain the zinc current in its fullest intensity, with scarcely any diminution or drawback. "V^*- can now lay down a third law : — 111. — That the most energetic effect is produced when the two metals used differ as widely as possible in their capacity for being acted upon by the liquid in which they are immersed. •'he following list of common metals, ar- ranged in the order in which they are acted upon by dilute sulphuric acid, will enable U8 to see this a little more clearly : — Gold Imperceptibly. Platinum Hardly at all. Silver Very slightly indeed. Copper Very slightly. Tin Slightly. )Lead Somewhat strongly. Iron Strongly. ZiNO .,i Very strongly. Potassium Very strongly indeed. If, therefore, we wish to malro ilie stronf^- est possible voltaic pair that the above metals will afford, we should use gold and potas- sium ; but as these metals are exceedingl}'" dear, we use ziucin combination with plati- num, silver, or copper, according to circum- stances. There is one substance, however, which beats even gold when used with zinc, and that is carbon or charcoal, which, although not a metal, acts as one in a voltaic combi- nation. This may be tried by using a piece of well-burned charcoal instead of a silver coin in our first experiment. Here, then, we have all the conditions heretofore laid down for forming a voltaic pair : — First, a plate of metal, such as zinc, which is easily acted on chemically ; secondly, an- other plate of metal, such as platinum, silver, or copper, which is attacked with great diffi- culty , thirdly, a liquid such as saliva, water, solution of salt, or of some acid, to act upon the zinc ; and lastly, a vessel of some kind — preferably, not the mouth — to contain the whole. These conditions are admirably fulfilled in the zinc and platinized silver battery which 8 is known by the name of its inventor, Mr. Alfred Smee, of which the following is a de- scription : — tS FIC.2. FIC,3, El P-> Fig. 2 is a frame, F F' F" F'", containing a sheet of platinized silver, P, to which is attached a binding screw, S (not shown in Fig. 3 ), into which may be fastened a wire. Fig. 3 shows the frame in section, with the zinc plates attached. Z Z are the zinc plates I not shown in Fig. 2), which are kept in their places by the clamp, C (not shown in Fig. 2). On the top of the clamp is another binding screw, S', which serves to hold an-, other wire. The whole is immersed in the jar. J Tnot shown in Fig. 2.), which contains Bulphuric acid and water. Here we have the perfect representation of the Yoltaic pair we formed in the first ex- periment, only we have a convenient vessel instead of our mouth, and solution of sul- phuric acid instead saUva. We also have the power of prolonging our plates by means of binding screws and wires, so that we may lead the force generated by the zinc m any direction we please. For instance, if yoii place the two wires in your mouth, you will notice the same sensations as in our first ex- periment, but in an increased degree. It may possibly puzzle you to understand ■why two plates of zinc are used instead of only one, and also how it is that the current only passes when the zinc and silver plates are connected. The following explanation will make this clear to you. When a plate of zinc is immersed— say, m dilute acid, electricity is immediately gene- rated on both of its surfaces ; but if there be nothing to collect and convey this electricity away, il; remains where it is. If, however, a plate of some other metal is placed m the liquid, it collects the electricity generated by the zinc ; but even now the current will not flow except communication through a conductor be made between the plate and the zinc. ' - Going back to our fii-si experiment, let ns 10 see what happened. You first laid the zinc on your tongue ; but although chemical ac- tion took place, you felt no electrical current, neither did you when the dime was placed under it ; and it was not until the dime and the zinc touched that you experienced any manifestation of electricity. As it is the surfaces of the plates that are concerned in generating or collecting the current produced, we prefer in the battery I am describing to make the platinized silver — which is vei'y much dearer than the zinc — do double work, and collect electricity on both its surfaces. We consequently use two plates of zinc, so that there may be electri- city generated on both sides of the platinum plate. ,i4 Eere, then, are two more important facts for you to recollect : first, that no electricity passes until the two plates are connected, either by their free ends, as in our first ex- periment, or by wires, as in all ordinary batteries, when it instantly begins circling round and round until all the zinc is dis- solved, or the acid becomes so weak as to act on it no longer; secondly, that it is on the surface of tlie zinc next the inactive collect- ing plate that the current of electricity is produced. 5 In the present* instance we might make one zinc plate give out electri- 11 city from both of its surfaces by using two plates of platinized silver ; but as that ma- terial is "worth some hundred times as much as the zinc, it is better, as I have before said, to make the dear material do the double work. It is hardly necessary for me to say that the amount of electrical effect that may be produced by a zinc plate is entirely in pro- portion to its surface, and has nothing to do with its thickness. Thus the thin plati- nized silver plate is just as effective as if it were half an inch thick. In the case of the zinc, we use pretty thick plates, simply be- cause they take longer to dissolve away than thin ones. The ordinary commercial zinc used for batteries is very impure. It contains nume- rous particles of lead, iron, and carbon, which set up little opposition voltaic currents on their own account as soon as the plate is immersed in the acid. To obviate this, the zinc has to undergo the process of amalga- mation by being rubbed over with mercury before it is fit for use. The mercury fonns with the zinc a semi-fluid compound, which spreads over the surface, and covers up the little particles of other metals, and prevents them from being acted on by the acid. The process of amalgamating the zinc is 12 very simple, and will be described further on. Having now made ourselves pretty well acquainted with the construction and action of the voltaic battery, w^e will make a few experiments on its effects. In our first ex- periment we found that the saliva on our tongue was slightly decomposed. The de- composition of substances through which the current passes is one of the most charac- teristic effects of the voltaic battery. The Smee's pair, already described, has hardly power enough to effect the decomposition of water, — that is to say, to separate it into its component gases, oxygen and hydrogen ; but there are other substances so easy of de- composition that we may decompose them with our slip of zinc and dime. Dissolve a few crystals of sulphate of cop- per, which is composed of copper, oxj'gen, and sulphuric acid, in a cup of water ; throw into it a silver coin, and leave it there for a few moments. On lifting it out, the coin is as bright as it was before. But create an electric current through the sulphate of cop- per solution by touching the coin with a slip of zinc as it lies at the bottom of the cup, and you will shortly find a deposit of met- allic copper covering the silver. By im- mersing the zinc in the sulphate of copper 18 solution we have created a current of electri- city, which passes through the liquid, de- composing it, tJie copper going to the silver, and the other components of the sulphate of copper — sulphuric acid and oxygen — going to the zinc, which is gradually dissolved. Now we ma.j do precisely the same thing with our Smee's pair. "We may conduct the electricity generated by means of wires into a solution of sulphate of copper, and decom- pose it, one wire becoming coated with cop- per like the dime, and the other becoming oxidized, and dissolving in the liberated sul- phuric acia. Next we may attach to one wire a coin, to the other a piece of copper, to supply the place of that deposited on the coin, and we may allow the current to pass until the de- posit on the coin is thick enough to remove ; or, lastly, we may substitute for the coin a wax mould, made conductible by black lead, and so obtain an electrotype copy of it in copper. Here, then, we have the whole theory of electrotyping, and we have arrived at it in a truly philosophical manner, beginning with one simple experiment with the zinc and dime, and working gradually onwards step by Etep. 14 I will now describe to you what is known as the single-cell Daniell's battery — a form of voltaic combination much used by begin- ners. It may have occurred to you while endea- voring to coat your dime with copper that a piece of zinc, with a wire attached to it carrying a black-leaded mould, might bQ immersed in a jar of sulphate of copper so- lution, and constitute a rude electrotype apparatus. Such an idea would be perfectly correct in theory, but in practice you would find that the zinc itself would in turn become coated with copper, and that very soon all action would cease. Provide some means, however, by which the zinc would be pro- tected from the action of the sulphate of copper, and we get a very efficient appara- tus for ordinary purposes. The following is a description of the ordinary single-cell Daniell, which is so much used for electro- typing small objects. But I should advise you most strongly to put your trust entirely in Smee. The Daniell is certainly cheaper at first, liut the contimial breakage of porous pots, and the uncertainty with which it works, render it dearer in the end. *^ It consists (Fig. 4) of a jar, J, containing a porous pot, P, within wHch is placed a 15 cylinder of zinc, Z. To this' is attached by means of a binding screw, B, a wire, W, carrying the black-leaded mould, M. The outer jar is filled with a solution of sul- phate of copjoer, the porous pot with dilute sulphuric acid. You will, no doubt, at once think that this cannot be a voltaic pair generating a current of electricity, there being no inactive plate to collect the electricity devel- oped by the zinc; but a little reflection will show you that the black-leaded mould is the collecting plate in this instance, becoming covered with copper as long as the current flows. A little more reflection is liable to raise a new difficulty as to the pos- sibility of the electricity generated by the zinc passing through the porous pot, which is a non-conducting material ; but if we ocly consider that the two liquids pass through the pores of the clay, and mix together very slowly, the difficulty vanishes. Q One more explanation, and I am done with theory. In using the Smee with a separate cell, it often puzzles one to know upon which wire to hang the mould ; but if we only take 16 the trouble to trace the course of the current, aud to recollect that it is at that particular spot where the current leaves the liquid that the metal is deposited, you will have no diffi- culty in remembering to which wire to attach your mould. The following diagrams show the course taken by the current in the three electro- \ping arrangements that we have been con- sidering, beginning with the zinc and dime. In Fig. 5 it begins at the /inc, passes through the sulphate of copper solution into the coin, leaving a de- posit of copper behind it, rind so upwards into the zinc again. In Fig. G it begins with the zinc, and travels through FIG. 6 17 the snlphnric acid solution, sulphate of cop- per, black-leaded mould, copper wire, and binding screw, to the zinc once more. In Fig. 7 the course is FIG. 7. through the zinc, sulphuric acid, platinized silver, bind- ing screw, wire, copper < plate, sulphate of copper solution, and zinc. In this last arrangement I have only shown one zinc plate, in order to avoid confusion. Let us now sum up the theory of the elec- trotype process. I. — When a plate, of zinc is immersed in a liquid which acts upon it chemically, elec- tricity is developed on the surface of ihe metal. II. — If we place opposite to the zinc an- other metal only slightly acted on by the liquid, and connect it with the zinc by means of a wire, the electricity developed by the' zinc \s set in motion, and a current is gen- erated which lasts until chemical action ceases. III. — "When a current of electricity is passed through a liquid, the liquid is decom- posed, provided the current is sufficiently strong. IV. — If the solution through which the 18 cnrrent passes contains a metal, it will be deposited at the point where the current passes out of the solution. V. — The electric current will pass with more or less facility through all the metals, charcoal, black lead, and most liquids, but nearly all other substances interruj^t its pass- age. Bodies of the first kind are called con- ductors, the rest non-conductors. So far the theory of the electrotype pro- cess, without some knowledge of which no one can hope to succeed in obtaining good results. THE PRACTICE. One of the first things the electrotyper will have to practise is the art of making moulds of the objects he wishes to reproduce. When first the electrotype process was dis- covered, the electrotyper was obliged to confine himself to the use of moulds in metal, it being erroneously supposed that deposi- tion would only take place on metallic sur- faces; the discovery, however, that any surface well rubbed with plumbago or black lead was thereby made conducting, freed the art at once from many of its trammels and enabled the operator to use almost any ma- terial that would take a sharp impression of the object he desired to copy. 19 For seals, coins, and medals, nothing is better thun ordinary white wax of good quality mixed with a little flake white. We will suppose, if you please, that you are de- sirous of making a copy of the Goddess of Liberty on the back of the fifty-cent piece. The first thing to do is to procure good wax. The common white wax sold at the oil-stores is generally adulterated with tallow or fat, and is a soft yielding material, utterly unfitted for the purposes of the electrotyper. You had better purchase your wax from the apparatus maker who supplies you with your battery ; you will pay perhaps a higher price, but you will have the satisfaction of getting an article that is reliable. This remark will apply to nearly all the materials that you are likely to use. As a rule wax works much better when mixed with about oue-twentiethof its weight of flake white, which may be purchased at an oil-store very cheaply. Put the wax into an ordinary earthen pipkin, and place it near a rather low, clear fire, free from smoke, taking care that the heat is onl}' jast suffici- ent to allow the w ax to melt. When quite liquid throw in one-twentieth of its weight of flake white, and stir the whole with a glass rod or clean tobacco-pipe stem. When fully mixed pour the wax out on a clean 20 plate, and, when cool, chop it up into little pieces and re-melt it. Repeat the cooling and melting once more, and the mixture is ready for use. You need not be particular about adhering to the exact proportions of wax and flake white given above ; for in- stance, a quarter of a pound of the former and a quarter of an ounce of the latter form an excellent compound, are easy quantities to purchase, and consequently save the trou- ble of weighing. Of course it is better to make a large quantity of the mixture at once, and keep it in cakes ready for use. The coin from which you are about to take a cast should be rubbed over with a small quantity of sweet oil taking care that it penetrates into all the finer parts of the work. As much as possible of the superflu- ous oil is then removed with a pledget of cotton wool, the fine details being cleared with an ordinary sable or camel's-hair pen- cil. The object of oihng the medal is to prevent the wax from sticking to it. by the interposition of a very thin film of greasy matter. , You next surround the coin with a slip ot thin card, about an inch or an inch and a half : in width, and of sufficient length to overlap about an inch. Wrapping the card round ! the coin, mark with a pencil the line where 21 the edge overlaps. You now tack together the top and bottom of the cardboard hoop with a needle and thread, so as to form a little cell for the reception of the coin, which will be retained in its place by the natural spring of the card. If the coin is heavy it will be better to wind some thread round the whole, so as to make assurance doubly sure. It is almost unnecessary to warn you against touching the face of the coin with the finger, as you will no doubt have guessed that the slightest mark will appear in the electrotype copy. Having melted sufficient wax for the pur- pose you require, heat the coin by placing it on the hob, or holding it over a gas or candle flame, until it is just warm enough to prevent the hot wax from being suddenly chilled when poured upon it, and yet it must not be so hot as to dissipate the film of oil with which it is covered. The coin is now held steadily in the left hand and slightly sloping in that direction, in order that the melted wax may flow over the surface evenly and gradually. Pour in the wax gently and continuously until it rises nearly to the top of the cardboard. The whole is now put aside to cool, an operation that will take at least two hours ; in fact, it is almost better to make tl:3 moulds over night and allow 22 them to cool until the next morning. Wheii the wax has become solid the threads fasten- ing the card may be snipped and the card- board peeled off, — the mould, with the coin adhering to it, being placed aside in a cold place. At first you will find some difficulty in , getting perfect impressions, but the failure can only result from three causes. First, air-bubbles may be formed through the coin being too cold, pouring the wax with an un- steady hand, or from too great a height; secondly, the wax may adhere to the mould i BO firmly as to resist all endeavors to sepa- rate them without destroying the impression, a misfortune that can only arise from not having left sufficient oil upon the coin ; thirdly, the impression may be blurred and i indistinct through the use of too much oil. An excellent way to obtain a good impres- sion of a coin, medal, or like object, which i will be found less tedious, is to melt yourr wax in a shallow vessel ; set it aside to cool ; meanwhile, oil your object. When the wax has become pretty hard lay the object on the wax and squeeze it down with a carpen- ter's clamp. In this way we have obtained good sharp impressions. f Having perfected yourself in the art of casting from metal you should next try to 23 cast from plaster. This is a somewhat diffi- cult operation, but it is one to be learned — plaster copies of some of the finest works in the way of coiilB and medals being pro- curable at the Italian image-shops for a few cents. Having everything ready for casting, place the plaster impression, face upwards, in a saucer containing sufficient hot water to rise to half the height of the cast. Watch the surface of the plaster until it just begins to look wet. It is then taken out of the water, surrounded with cardboard, as in the case of the coin, and cast from in precisely the same way. Here, again, judgment is required ; for if the plaster is made too wet the impression will be blurred, if it has sucked up too little water it will absorb the wax when poured upon it. Some electrotyp- ers saturate the plaster with oil, but this method, although good for casting, spoils the appearance of the original cast. How- ever, the best thing to do is to experiment upon both processes and choose the one that gives the best result. For small seals and coins ordinary sealing- wax may be used, the seal being made in the usual manner, but very much thicker from back to front. Before use the card or paper should be soaked off in cold water. Moulds of exquisite sharpness are made in 24 beeswax and an alloy of bismiith called fusi- ble metal ; but the former is difficult to work without special appliances in the form of powerful screw-presses, «nd the latter is too dear for ordinary use. If you know a friendly working stereotyper you may get him to cast from your plaster impressions in stereotype metal, which is peculiarly adapted for ob- taining sharp copies of such objects. If you can not get the cake wax a good substitute will be found in wax candies ; this will be found easy to work in as the mould does not stick so much. Before commencing electrotyping it will be as well for you to practise casting until you have acquired the method of producing good impressions of all sizes, and from botn plaster and metal. In fact, you may accu- mulate casts during the time that you are saving up your dimes to buy your apparatus. Too many beginners electrotype from bad casts, the results being of course bad copies, to say nothing of the waste of time and ma- terial. Your next step will be to set your battery At work. In all probability the zinc plates will have been amalgamated by the maker ; but, whether they have or not, it will be as well for you to perform the process upon them. Make a mixture of one part by measure of 25 sulphuric acid and four of water, taking care to pour in the water last. The water must be poured into the acid very gently, other- wise so much heat is produced that the mix- ture spirts over the hands and clothes. Sulphuric acid, or oil of vitriol, as it is gen- erally called, is exceedingly poisonous and corrosive. Whatever it falls upon it destroys; and although there is but little fear of any person drinking it, it should be always kept strictly under lock and key. The mixture of sulphuric acid and water having become cold — for no matter how cautiously you pour the water in, a certain amount of heat will always be generated, — pour it into a plate or saucer, and place the zinc plates in it for half a minute or so if the plate has been amalgamated, and for a longer time if it has not. In the latter case, it should remain in the acid until it looks pretty clear. You will do well to notice the little bubbles that form upon the zinc, and rise to the surface in thousands. These are caused by numberless little voltaic pairs that are formed between the zinc and the particles of foreign metals with which it is contamin- ated. Every one of these decomposes the water into oxygen and hydrogen, the former gas uniting with the zinc and becoming dis- solved in the acid liquid, and the latter effer- 26 vescing off in little bubbles like chfimpagne. This does not occur with zinc which has been amalgamated. The zinc is lifted out of the acid, and a small quantity of mercury is poured Tipon it and gently rubbed over the surface with a piece of rag, taking care not to let the acid touch the fingers ; for al- though it will not do them any harm, it is apt to produce dirty stains that take a long time wearing out. You may, if you like, make a little rubber by stuffing a piece of rag into a clean tobacco-pipe bowl, reserving the stem for stirring your solution As soon as the zinc is perfectly bright in every part, the superfluous mercury should be removed with the rubber, and the plate washed in clean water and wiped. It generally hap- pens that with new plates there are certain spots that will not amalgamate, in which case the plate should be returned to the acid solution until they take the mercury as read- ily as any other part. It often puzzles young beginners to know when these plates want re-amalgamating: to this query one might really reply by saying — always ; in fact, the zinc plates used by some of the electric tele- graph companies alwiiys stand in a .ittle gutta-percha trough of mercury, so that the metal very gradually creeps up their surfaces. You may easily tell if a plate requires re- 27 amalgamation or not by lifting it out of the cell, washing it in plenty of cold water, and pouring on it, when drj^ a few drops of mercury. If the mercury flows readily over the surface, the plate is still in working or- der ; if, on the contrary, the mercury refuses to unite with the zinc, you may know that re-amalgamation is necessary. For using the battery two solutions are required — one a solution of sulphuric acid, for creating chemical action, and, conse- quently, electricity on the surface of the zinc ; the other, a solution of sulphate of cop- per, from which we are to draw our supply of metal for covering our mould. The acid solution for exciting the zinc is made by mixing one measure of sulphuric acid with twelve of water, care being taken to add the water last, as when you were am- algamating. An egg-cup forms an excellent measure for this purpose, and any quantity of acid solution may be made at a time by adhering to the proportions given above. It is a good thing to keep a stock in hand, in a large bottle, so that the acid solution in the battery may be changed at a moment's notice. Some operators have a slovenly habit of pouring strong acid into the spent solution, the result being that they get themselves into most unexpected difficulties. 28 When the exciting solution is exhausted, it should be thrown away and replaced from your stock. Sulphuric acid is very cheap, a pound weight of it being sufficient to make five pints of solution. The sulphate of copper solution is made by pouring boiling water on a quantity of the salt — say a pint of the former upon a pound of the latter. The solution should be well stirred with a glass rod or tobacco-pipe stem, in order that the hot water may dis- solve as much as possible of the salt. When perfectly cold, pour off the blue solution from the undissolved sulphate of copper (which should be reserved for future use), and add to it one-fourth of its bulk of the di- lute sulphuric acid you use for exciting your plates. The acid is added in order to in- crease the power of the solution for conduct- ing electrical currents, as it is a better con- ductor than either water or sulphate of copper solution. Sulphate of copper, blue vitriol, or bluestone, is generally met with in a pretty pure state. The solution it forms is sometimes cloudy at first, but subsidence and careful decantation easily remedy this evil. We have now prepared our moulds, zinc plates, and colutions, and need only render the surface of the wax capable of conducting 29 electricity to begin operations. This is effected by first gently wiping the wax im- pression with a tuft of cotton-wool, to re- move any dust or oil that may be on its surface, and then applying black-lead to it with a soft plate-brush until a black and brilliant gloss is produced. The brush should not be too hard, or the face of the mould will suffer ; and the best black-lead, bought at the instrument-maker's, should alone be used. The common quality, sold at the stores for domestic purposes, is quite useless, being generally adulterated with grilty matter. Black-lead, or plumbago, was at one time supposed to be a compound of iron ; but modern research has proved that it is non-metallic in its nature, being a peculiar form of carbon— the chemical name for pure charcoal. It may interest you to know that coke, lamp-black, charcoal, black- lead, and diamond, are only different forms of carbon. Plumbago, although not a metal, is an excellent conductor of electricity, and an electric telegram might be sent through a series of black-lead pencils as easily aa through an iron wire, . The surface of the mould, therefore, when well brushed over with plumbago, becomes just as great a con- ductor of electricity as if it were gilt or sil- vered. You must be very careful to use 30 sufficient black-lead, so as to produce a con- tinuous coating, — indeed, it is hardly possi- ble to use too much. The edges of the mould should be black-leaded about half-way down ; but the back, of course, is left in its natural condition. Nothing now remains but to connect the mould with the battery, and see the latter in action. Supposing you are using a single-cell Daniell, pour the sulphate of copper solution into the outer jar until it reaches within an inch of the top, and place the porous cell in it Pour the acid solution into the latter, taking care that the two solutions are level with each other. Next slightly warm the wire connected with the zinc, and insert it in the edge of the wax mould about half-way between the back and front. When cool, make the electrical connection between the wire and mould continuous by black-leading the point of junction vigorously. Bend the wire into the shape of a long fi, so that the face of the mould may be opposite the mid- dle of the flat part of the zinc plate, and as near to it as possible. Immerse the zinc in the porous tube, and, if necessary, bring the mould nearer to it by bending the wire. The mould may possibly carry down with it a number of little bubbles of air, but these 31 may be generally got rid of by tapping the wire with a key or knife. If they should resist this treatment, the mould must be moved up and down until they disappear ; for, if allowed to remain, you will find per- fect copies of theni on the surface of your electrotype. A little muslin bag of crystals of sulphate of copper should be hung just below the top of the copper solution, so that supply may be kept up. If everything has gone right, metallic copper of a beautiful rose tint will gradually spread over the mould, beginning with the part in connection with the wire, and by de- grees covering the whole of the black-leaded surfaces. The deposition does not begin immediately; but when once it commences, it goes on continuously as long as any is generated. The mould may be lifted out and the deposit examined with ifnpunity, as long as it is not touched with the fingers. The amount of time necessary for the deposi- tion varies with the size of the mould and the power of the battery, from twenty-four to forty-eight hours, or even longer. If the time is extended beyond twenty-four hours, it is better, if tbe mould is large, to pour away the acid solution in the porous tube, and replenish it from stock. ULet me here say that every time you re- plenlsh the solution in the porons cell yon should brush off the black fur that has formed upon the zinc, otherwise your battery will not work well. When the deposit is snflSciently thick, the cast may be removed and another substi- tuted for it. If j^ou are careful, you may re- move the electrotype from the mould with- out injuring it ; so that, af^r being freshly black-leaded, it may be used again. If a Sraee's battery is used, the copper solution is poured into a separate vessel. An ordinary jelly-jar answers the purpose. This separate vessel is termed the decompo- sition cell. The battery is excited with the dilute sulphuric acid for the Daniell. Yoti must take care that the ends of the screws and wires that come into contact are kept clean and bright, otherwise the current is greatly enfeebled. The battery being filled mth the dilute acid, the wire from the zine is attached to the mould as before. The wire from the silver is fastened to a piece of copper plate, about twice the size of the mould to be covered. The two wires are then bent over, so that the copper plate and mould may be exactly facing each other, and about an inch apart. As the copper plate dissolves away, it ^ust be replaced by a fresh one. You must 33 also recollect that every gram of copper dSsolvedis reproduced on the monld; so fiat here is uo necessity in ha^ang a bag of crystals in the solutions, as in the case of the Daniell arrangement. The battery solution should bo changed everv forty-e)ght hours or so. , ^ . At first, no doubt, the young electrotyper will succeed in obtaining excellent resuUs; bat as he continues his experiments he yll find that instead of getting a mce even flexible coating of metallic copper, he ^Mil obUm either a'crystalline bnttle deposi^^^ or else a dirfey brown powder forms on the Burtceof the mould.' These failures occur from the electrical current being either too weak or too strong. , ,, . . If all is not going well the best hing to do is tore-amalgamate tlie zmc plates and chanee the exciting solution. If these rem- eteilo not have the desired effect we must examine the result and endeavor to discover iu what particular we have failed. I.— The copper deposit refuses to cover the whole of the mould. i. • « This generally arises froni there being a deficiency of black-lead on the surface of the wax The remedy is obviously to litt out the mould, wash it in clean ^vater dry it carefully with blotting-paper, and black-lead 34 it afresh. There is, of course, no need to i-emove any of the copper that has ah-eadv tormed as it Avill unite with the new de"- posit It may as well be mentioned that this faihn-e is one of the most common with beginners. 1 Vt'^^^ copper deposits in the form of a aark-brown poM-der. This is caused by the electrical current being too strong for the size of the mould Ihe remedy is manifestly to lessen the amount of electricity received bv the mould which may be done in several ways :— (a) By pouring away some of the acid solution, aud so lessening the surface of zmc acted upon. (b.) By separating the mould and the zinc by a greater interval in the case of the Dan- iel], or by removing it to a greater distance irom the copper plate, when using the Smee's arrangement. This has the effect of giving the electrical current a larger mass of liquid to traverse, causing some of it to be lost in tne way. (c) By diminishing the size of the copper plate when using the Smee. This cause of failure frequently happens <^'Iien the reproduction of small seals are the object of our labors. The batteries des- cribed are sufficiently powerful to deposit 35 copper on a mould as large as two inches square, or even larger. Any mould smaller will generally require the power of the battery to be diminished before a good re- sult can be obtained ; or, when the moulds are small, several may be attached to the same wire. Ill, — The copper deposits in a brittle, crystalline mass. The remedies for this failure are so ex- actly the reverse of those to be applied in the second case that it would be only wast- ing valuable time to detail them. In cold weather the deposit sometimes becomes brittle from the action of the acid solution in the zinc being slightly diminished, the apparatus should therefore be kept at a little distance from the fire. This description of failure may also occur from the connecting wires not being clean and bright when they touch the binding-screws, or from the screws not being screwed sufficiently tight. You will see that I have given you exam- ples of every kind of failure that can occur, with several remedies to be applied in each case. The choice of these must be left to your own judgment. One good rule to bear in mind is that the surface of the zinc acted upon should never be more than three times, or at most four times, that of the 36 medal to be copied. If this mle is adhered to, aud the directions for preparing and re- newing the solutions are complied with, there is really hardly a possibility of failure. Having succeeded in obtaining a deposit of sufficient thickness, the copper impression is carefully removed from the mould, trimmed with a sharp pair of scissors and a fine-cat file, and well washed with soap-and- water aud a soft brush. It may then be cleaned with a little rotten-stone or fine (vhiiing made into a paste with water, a sofb clean piece of chamois-leather being used to give it a final polish. The bright copper surface thus obtamed is very beautiful, but it unfortunately soon becomes tarnished by exposure to the air, except, indee-d, it be kept in an air-tight case. It is advisable, therefore, to give it an arti- ficiiJ tarnish, so to speak, in order to allow it to be exposed with impnnity. This is effected by the use of a bronzing liquid. Of these there are great numbers in use. One of the best is that recommended by "Walker. Boil for a quarter of an hour, in aneartnen pipkin, a gill of good vinegar, one ounce of carbonate of ammonia, and an ounce of verdigris ; the two last ingredients being re- duced to powder previously. Then mix in 37 a separate vessel, a drachm of sal-ammoniac and ten grains of oxalie acid in another gill of vinegar. When the sal-ammonaic and the oxalic acid are dissolved, mix the two solutions, and boil for five minutes. When cold, pour off the clear liquid, and pre- serve in a well-corked bottle. It is used bj being brushed well over the medal sev- eral times, the latter being heated over a lamp or candle between each application. The depth of color obtained by this method is very fine. Enough now has been said to enable the veriest tyro to carry on the electrotype pro- cess with success. If, after all, failure should be the result, it will be, I fear, the consequence of the lack of one of the follow- ing good qualities, — patience, exactitude, judgment^ and perse verancs. PLATING IK SILVER. "We -will now describe the processes of silvei'-plating ; for this is what I think nearly all amateurs want to do first. But here let me recommend the student to try his hand in copper first, as it is much easier to do, and requires less experience; for, when you can take good medals in cop- per, you will find very little trouble in doing the same in gold, silver, or nickel. Silver is generally deposited upon some other metal, but it is not easy to deposit it upon them all. The best to experiment on are copper, brass, or German silver, though fill the others — as iron, lead, and pewter, — can be coated. The best way to prepare the silver s. 'lu- tion is by the battery. This is effected by dissolving one and a quarter ounces of cyanide of potassium in one gallon of water ; then take a porous cup and place within it a piece of iron or copper ; put it into the solu- tion, and fill it with the outside solution; connect the plate with the zinc end of the battery ; in the solution outside the porous 39 cnp place a sheet of silver, and connect it with the silver or carbon end of the battery. It will take ten or twelve hours to get the solution to a proper strerfgth. There are other ways of making the solution, but this is tlte readiest. Supposing that you have made the solu- tion, the next thing is to prepare the article to be placed into it. The article to be plated is first boiled in a solution of caustic soda, which will free it from any grease ; then take it out of this solution and wash it, and then put it into diluted nitric acid, which removes any foreign substance that may be formed upon the surface. When it is taken out of this solution it is brushed over with a hard brush and fine sand. The nitric acid used should be very weak. The article being now thoroughly cleaned and dried, a piece of copper wire is attached to it by twisting it aroiind the article, or by putting it into some of the open parts and twisting it, to maintain the article in sus- pension. It is then dipped into nitric acid as quickly as possible, then washed through water, and then put into the silver solution, suspending it to one of the brass rods which run across the trough, and which is connected with the zinc terminal of the battery; on the other rod is suspended a sheet of silver, which 40 is connected with the carbon or silver end of the battery. Tiie article is instantaneously coated with silver, and ought to l)e taken out after a few seconds, and brushed well with a hard hair-brush and fine sand. This brushing is done in case any foreign n*,tter may be still on the surface. After this brushing it is again washed and placed in the solution, when, after a few hours, a coat- ing of the thickness of tissue-paper is de- posited on it, having the beautiful matted appearance of dead silver. [It must be re- marked here, that, in all plating solutions, the article must be moved from time to time while the process of deposition is going on. This is necessitated in consequence of the solution in front of the article becoming ex- hausted of the metal which it holds in solu- tion.] If you desire to preserve the surface in this condition, the article must bo taken out — care being taken not to touch it with the hand — and immersed in distilled boiling water for a few minutes. On being with- drawn, sufficient heat has been imparted to the article to dry it instanth'. If it is a medal it ought to be put in an air-tight frame immediately; or if a figure, it may be placed under a glass shade, as a few days' exposure to the ail tarnishes it. If the article is not 41 wanted with a dead surface, it may be brushed with a hard brush and stale ale. It may be burnished by rubbing its surface with considerable pressure with a polishing steel or a mineral termed bloodstone. We may remark that in depositing silver, a weak battery may be used; but if the battery is too weak, the silver deposited will be very soft. If the battery is pretty strong,— say three or four of our cells, 2| by 3 inches, — the silver deposited will be as hard as hammered silver. So if your silver is soft, you know the cause ; knowing the cause you know the remedy. The average cost of depositing silver in this way is about ten cents per ounce. ELECTEO-GILDING. The operation of gilding, or covering other metals with a coating of gold, is per- formed in the same manner as the operation of plating, with the exception of a few prac- tical modifications. The best way of preparing the solution is by the battery, as in the case of silvei Say you want to prepare a gallon of gold solution, you dissolve four ounces of cyanide of po- tassium in one gallon of water, and heat the solution to 150'^ Eah.; now take a porous cup and fill it with this cyanide solution, and set it in the gallon solution ; into this cup is placed a plate of iron or copper, and attached to the zinc end of the battery. A piece of gold is placed in the large solution and connected with the silver or carbon end of the battery. The whole is allowed to remain in action until the gold (which is to be taken out from time to time and weighed) has lost the quantity 'required in solution. By this means a solution of any strength may be obtained ; half an ounce of gold to the gal- Ion will be found strong enough. The sola- 43 tion in the porous cup may be thrown away. For all operations of gilding, the cyanide solution must be heated to at least 13(P Fah. The articles to be gilded are cleaned in the way described for silver, but are not dipped into nitric acid previously to being put into gold solution. Three or four minutes is sufficient time to gild any small article The article is generally weight d be- fore it is put in the solution and after it is taken out ; in this way the quantity of gold deposited is obtained. Any means may be adopted for heating the solution. The one generally adopted is to put the stone pot containing the solution into an iron or tin vessel filled with water, which is kept at the boiling point either by being placed upon a stove or over gas. The hotter the solution the less battery is required. Generally three or four cells are used for gilding, and the solution is kept at 130'=' to 150^ Fah. But one cell will answer if the solution is heated to 200*^. Gilding is generally performed upon silver articles. When the articles are cleaned as described for the silver plating, they are well brushed with a very hard brush and fine sand, which cleans away any tarnish from the surface, and prevents the formation of air-bubbles. They are then kept in clean u -water nntil it is convenient to immerse them in the gold solntion. One immersion is then given, ■which merely imparts a blush of gold : they are taken out and again brashed. then put back into the solution, and keos there for three or fonr minntes, which will be stuSicient, if the battery and soHtion are in good condition. Iron. lead, and tin, are very difBcnlt to gild direct. They therefore generally have a thin coating of copper deposited npon them by the cyanide cf copper solntion. and immediately put into the gilding solution. For very small articles — s^^ch as medal?, tinginsr daguerreotypes, gilding rings, thim- bles. &o. — a much "weaker solntion may be nsed- The solution should be s"fficient in quantity to gild the whole article at once, othervise there will be marks left upon the article. If the positive electrode is not wholly immersed in the solution, it will in a short time be eaten through at the surface of the solution- Thi3 ai>o applies in the case of silver and copper solurions. As the solution evaporates by being hot. distilled water must from time to time be added, but never while anythinsr is being plated. The cost of depositing gold is in the neighborhood of ten cents per pennyweight. 45 ISnCKEL PLATING. Kapier, in his Manual of Electro-metallur- ^y, speaks of nickel coating ,• that it is very easily deposited and may be prepared for this purpose by dissolvinof it in nitric acid, then adding cyanide of potassium to precipitate the metal, after which the precipitate is wash- ed and dissolved by the addition of more cyanide of potassium. The cyanide of potash has proved unsuitable for nickel plating ; he says that he coated articles with nickel in 1847, and up to 1853, they ^ill retained their brilliancy and continued untarnished. Na- pier gives also the following practical instruc- tion for plating, in the following words : It is indispensable that the battery should be so arranged that the quantity of electricity generated should correspond with the surface of the articles to be coated, and that the in- tensity should bear reference to the state of the solution, that is to say, that the quantity should be sufficient to give the required coat- ing of metal in a given time, and the inten- sity such as to cause the electricity to pass through the solution to the articles It is also essential that the plates of metal form- ing the positive pole with the solution should 46 be of corresponding surface to tlie articles to be coated, and face tlieni on both sides. The main condition of nickel-plating lies in these points: 1. To have the solution always kept neutral, it is necessary to test frequently the liquid by means of litmus paper, and if the same indicates a prevalence of acid, to add sufficient caustic ammonia to make the liquor perfectly neutral ; also to re- place occasionally the consumed salts : 2. To have the materials to be plated always clean, which, if the goods are of iron, can be done by dipping them in a mixture of muriatic acid and water. The least scratches will prevent a complete coating. The chloride of nickel and ammonia is much used for* plating, requiring but four ounces of salt to one gallon of water. A SIMPLE NICKEL-PLATING APPARATUS, likewise in full operation, may also be de- scribed, as very satisfactory results are daily realized : 1. A bath or vat containing the usual nickel solution of double salt, three- quarter pounds to the gallon of hot water ; five gallons is applied to the porous cell which contains the amalgamated zinc pole three inches broad, seven inches deep, and seven inches long, but touching within one- half inch all around from the cell. The cop- per wire is connected, to hold suspended the articles, such as faucets, pistols, or other ware 47 to be plated witli nickel ; the operation gfoea on at once, and deposits the metallic nickel from its solutions in the space of three to four hours. Nagel's Process for electro-platinp: with nickel is based upon applying the double salts of sulphate of nickel and ammonia with the platinum positive pole. It consists in taking 400 parts of the sulphate of nickel and 200 parts of ammonia, dissolved in 6000 parts of hot water, and the ammonia of 0.909 spec, gravity, heated to 100= F. Mr. Beardslee, who is unquestionably the veteran in nickel-plating in the United States, says that ever since 1858 he has coated metals with electric currents ; that he has found the chloride of nickel with a certain quantity of ammonia to be of great service. He attributes any failures in depositing nickel to the following requirements : 1. Nickel must have a perfectly uniform and unchanging current of electricity ; a Smee battery with a carbon negative plate, gives a powerful and constant current of elec- tricity. 2. The nickel solutions with the chloride solutions may work better with acid instead of alkaline reaction ; he quotes, as instances, that he had 2,000 gallons of nickel solutions since 1868 and '69, in constant use without any addition, but have been correcte4 from 48 time to time in order to give them an acid reaction, as tlie tendency in working is to become alkaline. He uses two cells of the Smee's battery ; the amount of battery power required for a given amount of work to be done should be in zinc surface, equal to the surface to be coated. The surface of the nickel anode should in no case be less than the surface to be coated. The anode surface for a nickel solution may be much greater than the surface to be coat- ed, and more and better work will be the result. For a nickel solution of 40 gallons, 10 anodes of 6x12 inches are required, and in l)roportion to the greater or less quantity of gallons. By estimating 7| gallons to each cubic foot, we can determine the amount of solution that will be required for a vat of any given size. The nickel anodes are connected with the negative plate of the battery, which may be either the chromium or carbon plates; the articles to be coated are to be connected with the zinc pole of the battery. In one gallon of nickel solution, a nickel anode of 4x6 inches is employed for coating small articles from two one gallon cells of the chromium negative plate battery. 49 ELECTROTYPING FROM A PORTRAIT OR PICTURE. To do this the back of the picture is scraped at cue eud with a little sandpaper, care being taken not to toxich the foce of the picture. Flatten a piece of copper wire and solder it to the back in the following manner: Place a little fine solder on the cleaned part, and moisten it with a little sol- dering acid. The ware is then held over the lamp, about half an inch from the plate ; the heat is transmitted through the wire to the solder, which melts, and the wire is sol- dered. The back is now covered with wax, and the picture is then hung in the copper solution, the same as a metal. The met;;l is rapidly deposited ; and, when sufficiently- thick, the two easily separate, when an im- pression of the picture will be obtained, with an expression softer and finer than the original. If the electrotype is now put into a solution of gold and connected with a small battery, a beautiful gold tint will be given to the picture, which serves to pro- tect it from the atmosphere ; but even now it must be placed under a glass cover, as the air will tarnish it. 60 Having now explained the principles of electro-metallurgy in four different metals, in a manner which I hope will be efficient to the amateur as well as to the professional plater, I will now give a list of some of the apparatus and prices, together with a list of the chemicals that are sometimes used in electroplating. The prices are remarkably low, as will be seen by comparing them with those of other manufacturers. THE DOLLAR AND A HALF SINGLECELL ELECTROPLATING BATTERY. This battery is a marvel of cheapness and utility combined.. 51 With one of these bntteries all the cnts in this book have been electrotvped. which will show practically what the batteries are ca- pable of doing. This apparatus consists of a flint-glass jar 4 « 4 inches, into which a porous cnp is placed, and a square of zinc with a wire at- tached to one end for hanging the objects to, is placed in the porous cup. The battery is charged by dissolving the sulphate of copper in hot water, and adding about a half ounce of sulphuric acid to the solution, so as to increase its conducting power. Take the balance of the sulphate of copper and put it in a bag and hang it on the side of the glass, as shown in the en- graving. Place the porous cup in the glass a little on one side, with the zinc in it ; fill the porous cup up with water ; then add a few drops of sulphuric acid, and the battery will be readj' for use. Hang the article to be plated on the brass wire so that it will be covered by the solu- tion in the glass, and the copper will be im- mediately deposited. This battery will be sent to any address, packed in a neat box, with some sulphate of copper, wire, and book of instructions, for $1.50. 52 Smee Plating Batteries. The single-cell battery is not often used when there is a large amount of work to be done, as it is not so handy as the Smee, or other forms of batteries. SMEE'S ELECTROPLATING BATTERY, For deposition of Gold, Silver, Xickle, Copper, and other metals. Price §3.50. This is the smallest kind of Smee battery that we make. It has two zinc plates, 3jx2|^ inches, and carbon centre, placed in a glass tumbler, with two brass binding-posts, as slmwn in the engraving. With this battery is given a white annealed flint-glass jar, 4x4 inches, for holding the solution ; two brass 53 rods, with binding-posts on the end for con- necting the battery wire, lo one end of these rods is connected a piece of sheet cop- per, the other is used to suspend the article to be plated. Sufficient sulphate of copper to make a saturated solution, all packed in a neat box, and sent to any address for $3.50. This is the cheapest plating appa- ratus made. The same as the above, bnt with the addi- tion of a quarter pound of the best pi'epared wax, one ounce best plumbago, one soft brush, packed in a neat box, for $4.25. The same as the above, but with one quart of silver solution, one piece of sheet silver, and one hard brush, — substituted for the plumbago, wax, and soft brush, — packed in a neat box, for $5.00. Sample Shells, showing the work of these batteries, in copper, sent to any ad- dress for twenty cents; in silver, for thirty cents. Wax moulds of any cut or coin that we may have, or that may be sent to us, will be made and sent to any address at trifling cost. 54 Besides the above we mannfactnre larger sizes of Smee's battery, and other forms for manufacturing purposes. The Xo. 2 Smee battery zinc plat as, 4|x3i inches wide, iu white annealed glass jars, for $3.00. Size No. 3 Smee* battery zinc plates, 4x8 inches, iu white annealed glass jars, for $4.00. Size No. 4 Smee battery zinc plates. 7^x1 H inches, in stone jars, carbon centre, for §9. Any of the parts of the above batteries will be sold separate when wanted. No. 1 battery, single cell, packed in a neat box, but with a quarter of a pound of the best prepared wax for taking impressions, one ounce of the best plumbago, and one soft brush, — in fact, everything that is ne- cessary to set to work and copper casts of pennies, medals, &c., complete, with book of instructions, sent to any address for only $2.25. 55 Bnnsen Batteries. These batteries are used whenever a very intense current is needed, as in plating Iron, Steel, Britannia Metal, &e. It is the battery that is now most generally used by the nickie platers of this city. Of this battery we have three sizes : — No. 1 consists of a white annealed flint-glass jar holding about one quart, a zinc with a porous cup fitting in the centre, and carbon with platinum connection, for $1.75. No. 2 glass holding two quarts, and other parts in proportion, for ^2.25. No. 3 glass, holding one gallon, with rolled zinc, $3.50. These batteries are very intense, and where a strong current is needed, as in coat- ing Iron, Steel, and Britannia Metal, is the one generally employed. It is this battery that we are now supplying to the nickle- platers in this city and vicinity. 56 Parts of Batteries. Any of the parts of these batteries will be supplied separately when so ordered, such as — Glasses holding one qnart, 50 cents ; two qnarts, 75 cents; one gallon, $1.25. Porous cups, for No. 1, 15 cents; No. 2, 20 cents; No. 3, 30 cents. Carbons for the small batteries, — the smallest 3^x2^, 80 cents; size 4x3, $1; sizo 5|x4i $1.5"0; size lUx7^,$3.25; 6x1), $^2.50. Carbons for the Bunsen batteries — No. 1, 25 cents; No. 2, GO cents; No. 3, $1. Brass clamps for the Smee batteries — battery 3x3. 20 cents ; larger sizes. 75 cents. Binding-Posts, small batteries, 15 cents; large, 25 cents. Connecting-Bars, with binding-posts on the end for connecting the battery wires, each 75 cents. Zinc of all kinds, for both Smee and Bun- sen batteries, 25 cents per pound. Boiled zinc cut to any pattern. We also put up sets of apparatus to meet the wants of certain classes of people in busi- ness, at very low figures. 57 Silver-Plater's Set. If persons, in ordering, do not want all the articles enumerated in the following sets, the}' can select whatever they may re- quire, which, of coarse, will make the set cost less. 4 two-quart batteriee, connections, stand, pan, thermometer, &c. 4 pints of silver solution, 1 bottle of cyanide of copper. 1 bottle of nitrate of mercury. 1 bottle of cyanide of potassa. 1 graduated glass. 1 bottle of crocus. 1 bottle of rouge. Glass sticks and wires. 1 box of sawdust. Sawdust brushes. 2 brushes. 2 scratch brushes. 2 decomposing dishes. 1 box of pumice stone. 1 box of whiting. 1 bottle bright mixture, for bright plating. 1 plate of silver. 1 copper. 24r filtering papers. 3 connecting-cups. 1 pound of mercury. 2 burnishers. 1 brass blowpipe. 1 lamp. 1 bottle gold solution. These articles are all packed in a box, with book of instructions on plating in gold and gilvei.^Price §35. 58 Set Put up for Travelling Platers. 2 Bnnsen batteries. 1 graduate glass. 1 extra glass cup. 1 scratch brush. 2 extra porous cups. 1 sand brush. 2 rods. 24 in. with cups, 1 fine brush. 2 12-ft.. conduct'g wires. I burni.sher. 1 book of instructions. 1 lb. hanging wire. 1 glass funnel. 1 box pumice stone. ^ pound quicksilver. 1 box of whiting. 1 magnet. 1 box of rouge. 1 pair of scales. 1 box of crocus. This set will be packed and sent to any address on receipt of $] ">, "We are getting wp presses for making moulds in. These presses will be made of cast iron, and will take an impression of any cut or medal, 4x4 inches. "We ■will also have soon an iron melting- pan for melting the wax in. It will be made" large enough, so as to fit the press. The wax is to be melted in the pan, sufficient Tpax being put in so as to fill the pan up to the top of the rim. When it is all melted it is to be set aside to cool ; and, v\-hen per- fectly cold, the cut or medal having been 59 polished with phimbago, is placed on the wax; the pan is then placed in the press and screwed down tight, when a sharp, clear impi-ession, will be obtained. The prices of these presses will be fur- nished on application. Acid. Chemicals. Per pound Sulphuric 10 cents. Nitric (chemically pure) 35 Nitric. 20 Hydrochloric 12 Acetic ". 20 Fuming Nitric 25 Oxalic 40 Ammonia 18 Alcohol (per pint) 40 Sulphate of copper 18 Sal ammoniac 20 Cyaniiie of potash 80 Bichromate of potash 40 Nitrate of potash 20 Sal soda 10 Bicarbonate of soda 18 Cream Tartar GO Bicarbonate potash 40 Bisulphuret of carbon (per ounce) 15 Soldering acid, of our own manu- facture, per bottle 15 60 Anodes, Gold and silver anodes rolled in any re- quired shape. Granulated gold and silver for making solutions, constantly on hand. Prices furnished on application. Pure nickle anodes, 2^x4 inches $4.(H) 2^x8 ■• 8.00 5x10^ •• 21.00 Pare nickle in grains 4. r>o Single salts of nickle and ammonia 4.00 Double '• " ^- •• .... 2.7:. Chloride of *• ■* " .... 4.00 Copper anodes of all sizes at 60 cents per pound. Solutions of all kinds on hand and made to order. Gold solution, containing 2j dwt. to the quart • $4.50 Silver solution, containing 4 ounces to the gallon, per gallon 2.00 Cyanide of copper, per quart 75 '• " per gallon 2.00 Lowey's Hydrometer, for testing the strenj^th of solutions 2. 50 61 Electroplating Materials. It is our design to keep on* hand a very large assortment of everything that is re- quired in the electro-plating line, whether mentioned in this list or not. So, if you should want anything, or desire any infor- mation that we can give, do not be afraid to write us (always inclosing a stamp when an answer is required), and we will give it our respectful consideration, no matter how trifling the question may be. 62 Burnishers. Swiss Oval Steel, two sizes. 35 to 50 cents each. French Oval Steel, in handles, curved and straight ends, 50 cents each. French Agate, in handles, $1.25 each. Stubs, steel, in handles, three sizes, from 40 to 70 cents each. Casseroles, or Coloring Pots, from 3 to 6j in. diameter, 60 cents to $2. Steel Burnishers, of any required pattern, made to order, at prices varying accord- ing to size and shape.* Bloodstone Burnishers. Eleven sizes. Prices from $1.25 to ^11. Polishing Povrders. Emery, first qualit}-, 15 cents per lb. Emery Cloth of the best brands. 10 cents per sheet. Si. 50 per quire. Emery Paper, American, best quality, all sizes. 3 cents per sheet. 50 cents per quire. French Emery Paper, first qiiality. 3 cents per sheet. 30 cents per dozen. Puraice Stone, powdered. 1 2 cents per lb, " " lumps, 10 cents per lb. 63 Rouge. Crocus, 75 cents per lb, Ronge, hard, second quality. $^1 per lb. •• first quality, $1.25 per lb. " soft, in balls, $1.25 per lb. Brushes. Wooden handles, first quality, 3 rows. 25 cents ; 4 rows. 30 cents ; 5 rows, 35 cents ; 6 rows, 40 cents. Wooden handles, extra quality. 3 rows, 30 cents; 4 rows, 35 cents; 5 rows, 40 cents; 6 rows, 50 cents. Wooden handles, goat hair, 3 rows, 35 cents; 4 rows, 40 cents. Brass Scratch-Brushes. Prices from 30 cents to $3.00, according to size. Steel Scratch-Brushes. Prices from 40 cents to $2.50, according to size. 64 Brass End-Brushes. Large. $1.00; small. 7.5 cents. Brass Scratch Wheel-Brushes. '2 rows. 3 rows, 2 inches diameter, each. . . .$1.50 $1.7.'< 3 " . " " . . .2.00 2.75 4 " " "... 2.75 3.75 Hand Buffs. LEATHEB. Plain, per doz. 75 cents ; each. 7 cents. Heavy, per doz. Si. 25; each. 12 cents. Half ronnd, per doz. $1.00: each, 10 cents. Round, per doz. $1.25; each, 12 cents. FELT. Plain, per doz. S2.50; each, 25 cents. Heavy, per doz. S2.50: each. 25 cents. Ronnd. per doz. S3. 25 ; each. 35 cents. Round Biifls, all sizes and thicknesses, to order. Steel Arbors for Buffs, on hand and to order. 65 ELECTRO-METALLURGY PRAC- TICALLY TREATED. lo2 pp. Price Si. 2.5. Contents. — Discoveiy of Electrotypino; — Quan- city aud Inteusity of Electricity— Faraday's No- menclature — Cou.staut Batteiy — Various forms of Batteiy Considered — Conductinoj Power of Solu- tions—Effects of Motion during Electro-Deposition — Electro-Deposition of Copper — Electiotyping Pro- cesses Described — Preparation of Moulds — Foruiu- Im for Mouldiuii' Materials — Bronzing Ele O o o 237 90 ^0 c « " • • O -Ay . • ^ • - ^ «^ > V * * * " o. »0 -' 5- »V HECKMAN BINDERY INC. ^ MAY 90 WvjL^^ N. MANCHESTER, ^^^^ INDIANA 46962 ♦>//^^5^\ LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 0017 110 131 1