Author Topic: copper plating cast bullets  (Read 832 times)

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Offline EdSmith

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copper plating cast bullets
« on: August 28, 2004, 09:08:18 AM »
does any one know how to copper plate cast bullets? thank's ahead of time.  edsmith    :grin:
if it ain''''t broke,you ain''''t trying hard enough :D

Offline The Cast Bullet Kid

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copper plating cast bullets
« Reply #1 on: August 29, 2004, 02:14:35 PM »
Hi Ed.
My friend is head of science at a girls' high school and for the annual science fair a few years back one of his girls did a paper on just that subject.
I will chase him down and see if I can find out about it as I would like to know too.
Cheers

Jeff

Offline jhalcott

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copper plating cast bullets
« Reply #2 on: August 29, 2004, 05:27:05 PM »
We covered this a while back,but, you will need a source of copper sulphate,an electric source. a tank to hold the solution.Probably a permit to get rid of the waste when you are done,or it wears out.You might need an acid bath to etch the bullets and remove any traces of oil/grease.Your solution will have to be warmed to about 110 degrees so have a heater handy.A stainless rack to hold the bullets in solution while plating.Lots of rubber gloves as copper sulphate is VERY toxic.OOH YEA,almost forgot,the bullets will grow about 2-4 thousandths of an inch in diameter when plated.You might want some molds made up to account for this growth. In reality,plating them your self is a pain.Several companies do it for lots less $ then it will cost you. They don't seem to lead your gun,can be shot like jacketed and have astounding accuracy potential. The EPA might not allow a permit in your area though.

Offline EdSmith

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copper plating cast bullets
« Reply #3 on: August 29, 2004, 09:03:38 PM »
Thank's TCBK,jhalcott, I have some idea how to elctroplate,but I have no idea how to plate bullets, I think I will need a copper anode,no problem I am a retired plumber,the copper sulfate can be obtained at any good garden supply,i.e stump remover.it comes in crystals,I have used it to renew septic systems.as to the electric,either a 12 volt battery,or a small battery charger,I don't know how well the charger would work,it puts out pulsating d.c, the battery puts out pure d.c I could try to resize them in my lee resizer,if that dont work I would have to get smaller moulds,I like fooling around with things like that   edsmith :agree:
if it ain''''t broke,you ain''''t trying hard enough :D

Offline jhalcott

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copper plating cast bullets
« Reply #4 on: August 30, 2004, 02:34:34 PM »
you would do bullets the same way as any other electroplating.Remember ,the waste is very toxic and can NOT be dumped just any place.

Offline EdSmith

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copper plating cast bullets
« Reply #5 on: August 30, 2004, 10:07:13 PM »
as to the waste,I think I will just drink it,I'm tough :)
if it ain''''t broke,you ain''''t trying hard enough :D

Offline kapnkid

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copper plating cast bullets
« Reply #6 on: October 22, 2004, 11:48:07 AM »
I've copper plated bullets using a automobile battery charger, Copper Sulfate (Bluestone Root killer), a square plastic bucket, a BBQ rotisserie motor and shaft, scrap copper wire, and a few pieces of carbon from a battery or starter brushes.  You need to rotate the bullets in the plating solution or they grow little wires (dendrites) that make them rough and lumpy. Set up a plastic bucket with a lid on the shaft of the old BBQ rotisserie, using the adjustable prongs to center it and hold it. Pre-drill a few dozen or more holes in the bucket; the more the better. Don't make them bigger than the bullets. I used a bucket that premixed wall board 'mud' came in. The bucket has to be small enough so the motor can rotate it, when it's loaded up with bullets. The bullets go in the bucket, which rotates on the rotisserie shaft, which is supported by a short piece of copper pipe soldered or clamped to the square rotisserie shaft. The copper / shaft  rotates on a piece of graphite or starter brush on one side of the bucket, providing a bearing surface and electrical connection to the NEG  - MINUS side of the battery charger. The other end of the shaft goes in the rotisserie motor.  The solution is distilled water with a handful of copper sulfate ( experiment! ), deep enough to submerge the bullets while it rotates.  The other battery cable connection goes to a web of copper wires (scrap wire with the insulation cut off) positioned on the bottom of the square bucket to clear the bucket as it rotates. As the current flows copper will plate onto the rotating bullets and the prongs. Copper from the wires on the bottom will dissolve into the solution to replace what is plated out these are  connected to the + POS side of the charger. The wires in the bottom will get thinner as they are eaten away. You can adjust the temperature, the charger setting, the concentration of the solution, and the distance between the wires on the bottom and the bullets. The last time I did it, over 25 years ago, the bullets (.429 SWC straight wheel weights) plated to a red copper color which I couldn't dent with my fingernail, and stayed on the bullet pieces after it went through an old RR tie. The finish is not real shiny, but rather red , hard, and rough. The tumbling in the bucket puts a lot of tiny dents in the surface. After the plating, I washed them real good a few times,dried, then lubrisized them with Alox /Beeswax.  As to the toxicity of the solution, it's legal to dump the copper sulfate solution into the sewer, or they wouldn't sell it for that. The solution is reusable, as the copper is replenished by the wires in the bottom.  Just pour it into a safe plastic container. Store it away from kids, and wear rubber gloves, as it is poison.  There are many things that could improve the plating, and make it look better, but this simple process does work, and is a starting point.  If the bullets are lubrisized they should be the correct diameter. You will have to check the weight.