Way Tubes - Satin Chrome Re-Plating

dpjbmac · Post by **dpjbmac** » Thu Mar 08, 2012 1:22 pm

I am preparing to reassemble my early 1980's version Shopsmith 520 after making some additioanl upgrades. I noticed some surface indications on the way and bench tubes. I went to a local polishing and plating shop and they felt the indications had penetrated the plating and were into the bare metal.

Upon inspection the shop owner identified the plating as a satin chrome finish. Unfrotunately he got out of the electo plating business years ago due to environemtal issues.

Does anyone have experience having the tubes re plated. I hate to have the machine taken apart and not take the opportunity to reapair the tubes if possible.

Thanks,

Mac

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Thu Mar 08, 2012 2:41 pm

dpjbmac wrote:I am preparing to reassemble my early 1980's version Shopsmith 520 after making some additioanl upgrades. I noticed some surface indications on the way and bench tubes. I went to a local polishing and plating shop and they felt the indications had penetrated the plating and were into the bare metal.

Upon inspection the shop owner identified the plating as a satin chrome finish. Unfrotunately he got out of the electo plating business years ago due to environemtal issues.

Does anyone have experience having the tubes re plated. I hate to have the machine taken apart and not take the opportunity to reapair the tubes if possible.

Thanks,

Mac

IMHO those dings are not something to worry about. They will not cause any malfunction.

They are an open door to rust, but keeping them waxed will prevent that!

The bench tubes are not 'functional' other than as a spacer.

So polish them, wax them and use em!;)

SDSSmith · Post by **SDSSmith** » Thu Mar 08, 2012 4:04 pm

dpjbmac wrote:I am preparing to reassemble my early 1980's version Shopsmith 520 after making some additioanl upgrades. I noticed some surface indications on the way and bench tubes. I went to a local polishing and plating shop and they felt the indications had penetrated the plating and were into the bare metal.

Upon inspection the shop owner identified the plating as a satin chrome finish. Unfrotunately he got out of the electo plating business years ago due to environemtal issues.

Does anyone have experience having the tubes re plated. I hate to have the machine taken apart and not take the opportunity to reapair the tubes if possible.

Thanks,

Mac

I do not believe that Shopsmith way tubes are plated. Shopsmith did plate the bench tubes on some models over the years. I would expect that the way tubes are a chrome moly steel.

wannabewoodworker · Post by **wannabewoodworker** » Fri Mar 09, 2012 10:21 am

[quote="JPG40504"]IMHO those dings are not something to worry about. They will not cause any malfunction.

They are an open door to rust, but keeping them waxed will prevent that!

The bench tubes are not 'functional' other than as a spacer.

So polish them, wax them and use em!]

Couldn't agree more. No need to dump money into those needlessly. I chucked mine up in another SS using the lathe and polished them up shiney bright and with occasional waxing they have stayed shiney bright.