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Require different thickness of silver plating on the same part

I have copper parts that require additional thickness of silver plating for grind finish to close tolerance, yet in the threaded holes the plating must kept to a minimum. I have both fresh parts and parts with minimal plating. What process(es) is/are required? I have gotten conflicting answers from vendors. Please help. Thank you. Fred

Frederick E. Peters
precision mfg. - Rochester, New York
2006

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First of two simultaneous responses -- 2006

Frederick,
Before we can give you an educated answer, we would have to know the minimal silver plating thickness required on the threads, and the silver plating thickness for the surface of the part. Surface to hole plating thickness varies anyway. The threaded hole is considered the low current density area on the part, so naturally it would have a lower plating thickness than the surface.
What are the thickness requirements for each?

Mark Baker
Process Engineer - Syracuse, New York

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Second of two simultaneous responses --

Why not just plate to the thinner spec and then mast holes with vinyl plugs and plate the rest of your thickness? What am I missing?

Neil Bell
Red Sky Plating

Albuquerque, New Mexico

2006

I agree that you should plate to your thread thickness and then plug the holes with plastic plugs. After the plugs are in place you can finish the job by plating the part to your final thicknesses. Don't make it harder than it has to be.

Gregg Matti
Plating/Finishing - Hampton, GA, USA
2006

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