Author Topic: Chrome plate a beer can mortar? (Read 827 times)

Blaster · « **on:** February 19, 2006, 02:44:17 PM »

I have seen CW's posts where he indicated that he had the mortar shown in his avatar, chrome plated. I am going to check a chrome plating firm up in Pueblo CO to see what they'd charge and see if I can get their assurance that they can do a good/satisfactory job. Anyone know of any disadvantage of having one chromed?? I don't want to totally screw up the very neat beer can mortar that I got from Powder Keg so if there are any negatives, let's hear them before I get carried away. I'd like to have the trunion welded in addition to the big cap screw that currently holds the trunion to the tube but will the welded area also take and hold the chrome plating OK?? Thanks for any responses you guys care to offer. Blaster (Bob in So. CO) :grin:

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #1 on:** February 19, 2006, 04:07:42 PM »

Here are a couple of close-ups for comparison:

(Note the added touches from my wife, as the the 4.5" is in the foyer).

Bright chrome Â– beer can caliber (the real steel beer cans)

Industrial hard chrome (Armaloy) Â– 4.55Â” bore (next to it are the zinc cannon balls, a candle-pin bowling ball and an iron sphere found near a foundery.

My pesonal feeling is that chrome is a bit much for a mortar, none of the two dozen or so I've made since these were chromed. What does one do when it gets scratched? If the tube is painted or in-the-white it's an easy restoration.

GGaskill · « **Reply #2 on:** February 19, 2006, 05:03:55 PM »

There is a risk when plating steel of hydrogen embrittlement. This is caused by the acid in the plating baths. It can be reversed by baking the piece after plating. I think 400Â°F is the temperature to bake at but you should talk to someone in the field to be sure.

claypipe · « **Reply #3 on:** February 20, 2006, 06:52:47 AM »

Quote from: blaster

I have seen CW's posts where he indicated that he had the mortar shown in his avatar, chrome plated. I am going to check a chrome plating firm up in Pueblo CO to see what they'd charge and see if I can get their assurance that they can do a good/satisfactory job. Anyone know of any disadvantage of having one chromed?? I don't want to totally screw up the very neat beer can mortar that I got from Powder Keg so if there are any negatives, let's hear them before I get carried away. I'd like to have the trunion welded in addition to the big cap screw that currently holds the trunion to the tube but will the welded area also take and hold the chrome plating OK?? Thanks for any responses you guys care to offer. Blaster (Bob in So. CO) :grin:

Well, it can affect your bore diameter, as you are adding metal to the surface. Chrome and nockel plating in the late 1800's was done to hide tool marks and shorten production time. Much like the use of parkerizing today.

CP

Artilleryman · « **Reply #4 on:** February 20, 2006, 11:41:56 AM »

If you go to all of the trouble to try and have your mortar accurately scaled and as authentic as possible, why do something to the appearance that wasn't done orginally. How about brass plating?