ADVANTAGES OF ELECTRO-PLATING. 121 



thus they were fused together. When fusion was effected the 

 metals were subjected to the dilating process of heavy rollers, the 

 dimensions in length and width being regulated according to the 

 articles to be made. This sheet formed the base or foundation 

 of every article, of whatever shape or form, and however it was to 

 be ornamented when finished. 



To produce ornaments, leaf silver was stamped in iron dies re- 

 presenting the ornaments required, which, when removed from the 

 dies, were filled with an alloy of lead and tin. These were then 

 soldered upon the flat or shaped plain surface with soft solder, which 

 melts at a very low temperature : thus were produced the silver edges, 

 or mounts. 



The quality of the ornament depended entirely upon the price 

 of the article ; but whatever the quality, all ornaments in the old 

 mode of plating were thus made, the only difference being the 

 thickness of the silver leaf used : Ornamental feet, handles, knobs, 

 &c., were made in the same manner, being struck up in two parts, 

 filled with lead and tin, soldered together with soft solder, and 

 afterwards soldered to the main body. Articles (such as table 

 candlesticks) which would be too heavy if filled with lead, were filled 

 with rosin, pitch, or any other similar substance, for the purpose of 

 preventing the article being flattened by pressure. Hence it is evi- 

 dent that no solid article could be made by the old mode of plating, 

 the only way of producing articles being to work them up by the 

 hammer, or to strike them in dies from a flat surface : and being 

 restricted to the use of soft solder, on account of the plated metal 

 and the shells of silver, forming the edges, not supporting the 

 required heat to melt silver solder, it is equally evident that the 

 joinings so constructed would be easily removed either by force or 

 heat. 



The nearest approach to solid articles made by the old method of 

 plating, were forks and spoons : these were generally made of iron, 

 thin silver being soldered upon the surface, which was afterwards 

 dressed smooth, and polished. 



The heat used in this operation was merely that of an ordinary 

 soldering iron ; because, were a greater heat applied, the silver 

 would form an alloy with the tin and lead of the solder, and melt : 

 the same heat that cemented the metals in the first instance would 

 be sufficient to disunite them; and thus, when these forks were 

 exposed in hot gravy, the solder was liable to become soft, and the 

 silver covering, yielding readily to the knife, to peel up or 'become 

 abraided, in consequence of the soft intervening metal. 



Advantages of Electro-plating. The advantages offered to the 

 plater by the electro-process are many, arising from the fact of the 

 articles being plated after, instead of before, being manufactured. 



