All chrome parts were dropped off at plater's early this morning to be stripped as I've decided a heated acid strip to be safer, more effective at removing ALL plating layers without destroying threaded screw bosses and other tiny machined mechanical features CNC'd into the case under the top. Bead blasting risks eroding the internal threads in the underside of the cover and packing the remaining soft aluminum threads with grit making all threads feel gritty and coarse when installing/removing screws. It would also tend to leave plating in small, tight corners, recesses & crevices that the blast gun can't get into due to space constraints. Of course I could thread sacrificial machine screws into those threaded bosses while blasting but then that will leave all the magnetic plating layers in all the threaded bores when finished. Sure it would be a small amount to be sure but "zero" case magnetism is my target! Why would I go to the added expense of 100% non-magnetic screws only to thread them into plated magnetic threaded bores!?! And who better to remove chrome plating than by someone who plates for a living since they frequently have to strip and re-do even their own chrome plating work due to errors. Additionally an acid dip leaves the aluminum in its polished state whereas bead-blasting would've left an exceedingly coarse almost smooth concrete-like surface that would have to be brought back to a smoother more acceptable satin sheen. That would add a ton of additional work for me. Of the two two stripping methods available to me this simply makes the most sense and cost runs within 15-20% of each other. The only concession I'm making is time. With blasting I could've dropped it off this morning and picked it up 3-4 hours later. Plater said "3-10 business days."
The 3-4 layers counting chrome on the case and rear cover shield are the most concerning parts to me as they are the only aesthetics displayed when finished. I want to get them out of the way first. Then I can enjoy more 'downhill' work on the remaining few cast parts that go inside or underneath and remain primarily hidden from view. It will also be easier for me to start machine tools into pure softer aluminum than on the chromed parts if no chrome remains as I don't have to punch thru that much harder multi-layer plating first. I suspect the aluminum will return from plater in a darker color than normal state which won't hurt anything as its just a temporary surface corrosive patina left over from the acid bath that will go away after I media blast the fine satin finish sheen similar to the remote knob on the outer surface.
I'm on 'cruise' for the time being not wanting to get ahead of myself but will certainly find things to putter with along the way.
But I won't do any machining until ALL parts are satisfactorily stripped, then I'll machine, media blast for a smooth satin finish, then anodize and reassemble. Today I'm planning rear/bottom-to-top/front convection air pathways. 75% of that airflow over the PCB tops with 40-45% of that airflow directed "thru" the PS and 25% airflow under the primary PCB then all air collected and discharged at top front face of Devialet
The 3-4 layers counting chrome on the case and rear cover shield are the most concerning parts to me as they are the only aesthetics displayed when finished. I want to get them out of the way first. Then I can enjoy more 'downhill' work on the remaining few cast parts that go inside or underneath and remain primarily hidden from view. It will also be easier for me to start machine tools into pure softer aluminum than on the chromed parts if no chrome remains as I don't have to punch thru that much harder multi-layer plating first. I suspect the aluminum will return from plater in a darker color than normal state which won't hurt anything as its just a temporary surface corrosive patina left over from the acid bath that will go away after I media blast the fine satin finish sheen similar to the remote knob on the outer surface.
I'm on 'cruise' for the time being not wanting to get ahead of myself but will certainly find things to putter with along the way.
But I won't do any machining until ALL parts are satisfactorily stripped, then I'll machine, media blast for a smooth satin finish, then anodize and reassemble. Today I'm planning rear/bottom-to-top/front convection air pathways. 75% of that airflow over the PCB tops with 40-45% of that airflow directed "thru" the PS and 25% airflow under the primary PCB then all air collected and discharged at top front face of Devialet
Statements in my posts are opinion only, not to be construed as fact. Any projects I engage in are at my own risk! Their outcome cannot be assured and may result in success, small/no change or catastrophic failure. I encourage no one rely on anything I say or do as gospel and to realize your mileage may vary!
