NICKEL PLATING CAST IRON 2. AFTER MACHINING, BEFORE PLATING
by John
johnsmachines
machines which I have made, am making, or intend to make, and some other stuff. If you find this site interesting, please leave a comment. I read every comment and respond to most. n.b. There is a list of my first 800 posts in my post of 17 June 2021, titled "800 Posts"
johnsmachines 
Just like wood turning eh Stuart L. Except that those rounds and curves are achieved by taking multiple straight cuts. Like multiple x multiple straight cuts, then filing the ridges, then using emery paper. About a whole day to turn this. And it is very dirty. Leaves the skin black for days.
And that external cast iron skin is tough tough tough. Much harder than ordinary steel. High speed steel bits wont touch it. Requires carbide tools, and it gets through a few of those. More difficult than wood turning? Absolutely.
Then it gets surface rust. Hence the nickel plating. Some modellers paint the columns, but I really prefer the metal look.
LikeLike
He he- point taken (even if it was tongue in cheek on my part…..or was that giving cheek? Either way!)
Glad to see you are back in the workshop (I assume with doctor’s permission? 😉 )
See – I’ll just have to come down for some ‘education’ some time soon!
LikeLike
The fridge is stocked and the door is open.
LikeLike
Will the column have flutes on it? Have you seen my page on flutes on conical surfaces.
john f
LikeLike
Hi John
I considered fluting the column, but decided against on the grounds of being undecided, and could always add them later.
I read your pages and if I do add flutes I will go back to your info, thank you. There is possibly a CNC mill in my future, and that might also alter the equation.
I made a staircase for our house years ago, and fluted all of the ballusters. I mention that fact because it was an immense job, and only undertaken because I really like the look of fluted columns.
John
LikeLike
It would take me longer to produce a drawing that could be used to produce the G-code needed than to machine the column straight off.
john f
LikeLike