Electroplate silver onto brass

[nyulpista]

I wonder if anyone knows a hobbyist chemist who could electroplate silver on brass. I have an electronics project that has a small contact roller machined from brass, about the size of a penny. It would need to be silver plated for good electrical RF contact, along with a 3/16" 5" long brass rod. I looked at the local companies in South-West Ontario -small and large- and they would not or cannot do it. Youtube describes various dubious or outright dangerous processes and chemicals. I am accident-prone when it comes to mixing chemicals, so I would rather pay someone who knows through his/her experiments how to do it. Looking for some advice or a willing fellow hobbyist who could do it. Thanks for reading my post.

 

[Tom O]

Could you use stack a few Pennie’s to make a copper one instead of silver or maybe a gold plating.

 

[Canadium]

Interesting problem! I am currently experimenting with nickel electroplating a process which I think would be nearly identical except for the electrolyte and the material being plated. As with most things it seems to me a bit trickier to get a top notch result than one might think. With silver plating I believe the electrolyte has a cyanide component which is definitely a hazardous chemical and would require appropriate precautions.

If it were my project I would still go the DIY route as silver plating electrolyte is readily available ready made for the jewellery trade. But then I have a degree in sciences and have experience playing around with exotic chemicals.

 

[pdentrem]

I bought a Caswell kit to do nickel. They sell quite a number of different metal plating kits.

Plug N' Plate Silver Kit - Caswell Canada

The great new way to brush plate small parts.Ideal for repairing antiques with wear damage.

caswellcanada.ca

 

[darrin1200]

I wonder if anyone knows a hobbyist chemist who could electroplate silver on brass. I have an electronics project that has a small contact roller machined from brass, about the size of a penny. It would need to be silver plated for good electrical RF contact, along with a 3/16" 5" long brass rod. I looked at the local companies in South-West Ontario -small and large- and they would not or cannot do it. Youtube describes various dubious or outright dangerous processes and chemicals. I am accident-prone when it comes to mixing chemicals, so I would rather pay someone who knows through his/her experiments how to do it. Looking for some advice or a willing fellow hobbyist who could do it. Thanks for reading my post.

I’m not sure where you are located, but as mentioned by canadium, try a local jewellery maker. They may do it, or will point you to someone in the area that can. There are a few techniques that hobbiest jewellers use for small projects.
(See pdentrem’s post above)