So I copper plated some bullets today

[Dolomite_supafly]

I was talking with Caster about a new BLK bullet but the problem with the bullet is it has a boat tail. Not exactly the best design for a cast bullet that may be pushed a little. We were discussing ways to make the bullet better suited. The the conversation of plating came up.

So after a little bit of research I realized it is very easy but most importantly cheap.

The solution you use is Zep Root Killer from Home Depot for $12.98.

http://www.homedepot.com/buy/cleaning/drain-openers/zep/2-lb-root-kill-62964.html

Next I needed a small container for the solution to be put into and I picked one up for a few dollars at Dollar General.

Then I stripped the coating off some copper wire and placed it into the bottom of the container with one end hanging outside. Then I placed a metal rail across the top of the container for the bullets to hang from. I stripped some more wire, cut small 5" pieces and twisted them around the bullets to be plated. I then hung them from the top rail.

I mixed the Zep Root Killer with hot water, 1.5 cups to 1 gallon. I shook well to make sure it was disolved. I then poured it into the container until it covered all the hanging bullets.

Now to energize. I connected the NEGATIVE terminal of a car battery to the rail the bullets were hanging from. Then I connected the POSITIVE terminal to the wire in the bottom of the container. Then I wait and after about 5 minutes you begin to notice the bullets turning a different color. After about 15 minutes they are done and I have added about .003" of copper to the outside of the bullets I cast. And once I size them back down the bearing surfaces get as smooth as a jacketed bullet.

Here is a picture of the container:

And some bullets:

The color is actually more pink than in the picture. And the one on the left has not been sized. They feel rough but they are plated with copper.

Even if you had to buy everything here is would still be under $30. now I just need to buy the BLK mold, oh yeah and build a gun to shoot the BLK round.

Dolomite

[Guest pfries]

Casting for glocks....

I might have to play with this although not for glocks

Thanks for the post G.

[gregintenn]

You sure come up with some interesting projects. I believe there's a lot of money to be made out there by people with imaginations like yours. Thanks for sharing.

[QuietDan]

How cool is that!!

How much of a chance is there of blowing yourself up or electrocuting yourself if you're not careful?

[Caster]

It's DC voltage. Electrocution not really possible. There is a fire hazard though.

Edited June 27, 2012 by Caster

[gregintenn]

Could they be tumbled to a smooth exterior?

[Dolomite_supafly]

Could they be tumbled to a smooth exterior?

I might plate enough to tumble just to see.

Dolomite

[Dolomite_supafly]

I bet if I just let them kind of flop around in the bottom of the tumbler without any media they will chine up some.

We will see.

Dolomite

[Guest Lester Weevils]

That is neat, Dolomite!

[MacGyver]

The nice thing about copper sulfate is that it's not especially toxic, either. It's been included in chemistry sets for children for decades.

You do need to be careful on disposal, though. It'll kill trees if exposed to the root system.

[smopoim86]

I should bring you a lab power supply to see what effect different voltage has on the process.

[Dolomite_supafly]

I should bring you a lab power supply to see what effect different voltage has on the process.

I was going to buy one from Radio Shack. I know if you go too fast you get microscopic air bubbles under the plate.

Anytime you want to come you you are more than welcome to. Any friend of Jeff's is a friend of mine.

Dolomite

[Guest nysos]

I did electroplating for my 5th grade science project. Didn't think about using stripped wire for the copper, I always just used a small section of copper pipe.

I wonder what the results would be like if you used ceramic polishing media in the tumbler vs no media? Post some more pics up after you try your tumbling.

[Dolomite`s Breezy]

He asked me like 10 times if I had anything he needed to plate for me..lol..

It is a neat process. I ma rather impressed by it.

[atlas3025]

So is the coating coming from the wire, the drain cleaner, or both? Would copper algaecide for swimming pools work even better?

[Guest nysos]

So is the coating coming from the wire, the drain cleaner, or both? Would copper algaecide for swimming pools work even better?

My facts may be a little incorrect as I am trying to recall this from memory, buuuut -

It has to be copper sulfate, at least for it to be cheap/easy in the home. Copper algaecide has many other additives in it and it would not work.The copper actually comes from the sulfate solution before it is deposited on the item. The copper pieces are used to replace the copper in the solution. The second method is using an acid bath with copper on one end of the current, the reaction that takes place actually creates copper sulfate.

[Dolomite_supafly]

The wire is just there as the positive electrode, not a sacrificial anode. The Root Killer is 99.9% Copper Sulfate and the other .1% is inert ingredients. As the positive ions move towards the negative electrode it grabs copper and deposits it ont the negative electrode as well as anything touching it that is conductive.

I messed with the currents some more. I was able to figure out a setup that deposits the copper in a very uniform and smooth manner. It no longer has a rough finish. It takes a little longer but gives a much nicer results.

I did try a high amperage setup and the bullets turned black and were coated with copper withing 20 seconds. But the problem is doing it that fast the copper doesn't adhere as well. As a matter of fact you can shake the bullets under water and the majority of the copper will fall off.

I also reversed the polarity with the high amperage setup and that smoothed the surface of the bullet. And when I plated the bullets after that step they turned out very nice. I am not sure about have lead pulled from the bullets and into the solution or how that is going to affect it.

The "high" amperage setup was a 7.2 volt and 2,200 MaH batteyr from an RC car. It would literally boil the surface of the bullets. The "correct" amperage is a 4.8 volt with .9 amps. Even the car battery worked but it was too fast and made the surface too rough for my tastes.

I have used this method before except to deposit steel onto steel. With that one I use washing soda to make the water more condictive. I had steel rods as the positive and were sacrificial. The more you plated the more they were eaten away and the material deposited on the negatively charged items. It actually replaced rust with steel and worked really well. I took some guns that were so rusty they could not be cocked or even opened. After about 20 minutes in the slution at 55 amps and 220 volts the guns came out and were able to be cocked and opened.

Dolomite

[Guest nysos]

Dolomite,

Did you do anything to prep the bullets/clean the surface before plating?

[Dolomite_supafly]

I just plated them as they were cast. They were cast a few weeks ago so some may have had some oils on it from my fingers but it still coated the bullets pretty well.

Like I said if I do a high amp reverse polarity for about 30 seconds it seem to help the copper adhere to the lead in a more even manner. It is still not as pretty as commercially plated or jacketed ammo but I suspect mine will work as good as those for keeping the lead from fouling the bore.

Dolomite

[Guest bkelm18]

It's DC voltage. Electrocution not really possible. There is a fire hazard though.

Well... it's low voltage DC. DC voltage can most certainly be lethal in high volts/high amps given the right conditions, but not likely from a car batt. Maybe just a "I'm not gonna do that again" moment.

Edited June 28, 2012 by bkelm18

[Garufa]

Do you think the copper fouling would be any more or less that factory bullets?

[Caster]

Do you think the copper fouling would be any more or less that factory bullets?

Not if he loads with SMP-842!!!

[jb980]

How well do the rife bullets shoot ?

[Jonnin]

If you didnt say it --- you said they were rough? Maybe tumble them afterwards?