Does anyone know of a company that does brass plating at a reasonable
price?  I've checked with two companies in the Chicago area and their
pricing is _outrageous!_  One plater I contacted wants between $400
and $700 to do 27 [spoolframe] parts.  I have a nickel plater in
Chicago that has done work for me for years (and for all the other
restorers in the area including Dave Ramey) whose charges are very
reasonable.  I've been to his shop when he was doing plating for me so
I know how much work is involved from cleaning to stripping to copper
flashing to the final nickel.

This brass plating outfit that wants the above prices will be making
$250 to $300 per hour.  I explained I wanted them to clean, strip off
the old plating and re-plate with a very thin layer of brass.  No buffing
or polishing is needed.  $150 to $200 for those parts would still be
highly profitable for them.

Another plater in Chicago that does brass charged Dave Ramey $80 to do
one door hinge from a coin piano cabinet.   Those kinds of prices are
outrageous.  And brass is the easiest plating to do.

I stress that I have plenty of experience in getting things plated.
I know how much work is involved.  We're not restoring fine antiques
here.

Dave Krall