Well, it's been some time since my last jottings on 'Vintafaker' so I'm here now to bring you up to date with some of the happenings down at 'The Old Sidevalve Bar'. (T.O.S.V.B.)
Firstly I'd better explain to all who follow the blog... 'The Old Sidevalve Bar' ?......well it's a tiny workshop in Albert's back garden where 'Cracklenstein' creations are born. Unlike the not so famous Frankenstein what comes out of T.O.S.V.B. is all good and of immense benefit to mankind. (one week it could be huge pickled onions, the next homebrew cider, or possibly even motorcycles from scrap.... )
Anyway back to the tale........
I fancied experimenting with Nickel plating, and what better place to start than on a few pieces of 'The Picklington Precision'. It seemed easy enough.....battery, bulb, couple of bits of wire, anode and the part to plate. What could be simpler !
Well, let me tell you plating is a black art.....a secret than is kept by those in the know.....and they don't give away info to any silly old fool that fancies a quick dabble.......
The Nickel Salts I needed were purchased rather secretly, due to 'Health and Safety bollocks and the carriage by road of dangerous chemicals laws, I had to transfer money to a Chemical Co storeman who sneaked my requirements out of his place of work and posted them on the Q.T.
(What a fine fellow !)
I decided to use a Nickel plating recipe invented by a chap called Watts. Not of steam engine fame I don't think but quite a name in Nickelling. Who better than to help me mix the solution than No1 son 'Gear Gnashin Neil'... University Graduate in Science....I surely would be guaranteed sucess.
Suffice to say, there was no explosion, no huge cloud of poisionous gas, the first batch was mixed perfectly, the second batch ? aahh well...the solution didn't seem quite as clear and when poured into our storage vessel it was obvious why......the solution had eaten into the mixing pan....Oh Sh*t ! (Not advisable to mix Nickel Salts in aluminium pans dear readers.....)
The best stewpot ruined.....now I would have to confess to her who must be obeyed regarding this unauthorised use of the kitchen......sh*t and more sh*ts.....
Anyway, it's obvious that I lived to tell the tale and am now the proud owner of 5 litres of Watts Nickel Plating Solution.....
I'll keep you posted on how I get on, so stay tuned.................
