I am a hobbyist trying to learn/apply a nickel electroplating process that I can safely do at my shop. My substrate is a machinable non-stainless steel with unknown carbon content, and I'm looking to do a close variation of the "Watts Bright nickel" formula. I have a 99.9% pure nickel anode, nickel acetate, nickel chloride, boric acid, sulfur powder, saccharin and coumarin powders.

The formula calls for nickel sulfate; is it possible to simply add the powdered sulfur to the solution, or do I have to use a different process to synthesize the nickel sulfate? If so, can I do so with the materials that I have? Also, the Watts formula does not include the saccharin or coumarin, but I know that these chemical additives will increase the odds of a smooth mirror like finish.

Also, is there a recommended quantity range, or at least a starting point, for these two chemicals for this application? Any insights here from an experienced chemist/electroplater would be greatly appreciated.

Edit: I was now looking at doing the conventional sulfamate method. How is nickel sulfamate different from nickel sulfate? And I am curious if this chemical is easier/safer, or more challenging/dangerous to synthesize. Also, can I do this synthesis with nickel acetate, sulfur, and/or nickel sulfate?

I am a hobbyist trying to learn/apply a nickel electroplating process that I can safely do at my shop. My substrate is a machinable non-stainless steel with unknown carbon content, and I'm looking to do a close variation of the "Watts Bright nickel" formula. I have a 99.9% pure nickel anode, nickel acetate, nickel chloride, boric acid, sulfur powder, saccharin, and coumarin powders.

The formula calls for nickel sulfate; is it possible to simply add the powdered sulfur to the solution, or do I have to use a different process to synthesize the nickel sulfate? If so, can I do so with the materials that I have? Also, the Watts formula does not include saccharin or coumarin, but I know that these chemical additives will increase the odds of a smooth mirror-like finish.

Also, is there a recommended quantity range, or at least a starting point, for these two chemicals for this application? Any insights here from an experienced chemist/electroplater would be greatly appreciated.

Edit: I was now looking at doing the conventional sulfamate method. How is nickel sulfamate different from nickel sulfate? And I am curious if this chemical is easier/safer, or more challenging/dangerous to synthesize. Also, can I do this synthesis with nickel acetate, sulfur, and/or nickel sulfate?

I am a hobbyist trying to learn/apply a nickel electroplating process that I can safely do at my shop. My substrate is a machinable non-stainless steel with unknown carbon content, and I'm looking to do a close variation of the "Watts Bright nickel" formula. I have a 99.9% pure nickel anode, nickel acetate, nickel chloride, boric acid, sulfur powder, saccharin and coumadin powders.

The formula calls for nickel sulfate; is it possible to simply add the powdered Sulfur to the solution, or do I have to use a different process to synthesize the nickel sulfate? If so, can I do so with the materials that I have? Also, the Watts formula does not include the saccharin or coumarin, but I know that these chemical additives will increase the odds of a smooth mirror like finish.

Also, is there a recommended quantity range, or at least a starting point, for these two chemicals for this application? Any insights here from an experienced chemist/electroplater would be greatly appreciated.

I am a hobbyist trying to learn/apply a nickel electroplating process that I can safely do at my shop. My substrate is a machinable non-stainless steel with unknown carbon content, and I'm looking to do a close variation of the "Watts Bright nickel" formula. I have a 99.9% pure nickel anode, nickel acetate, nickel chloride, boric acid, sulfur powder, saccharin and coumarin powders.

The formula calls for nickel sulfate; is it possible to simply add the powdered sulfur to the solution, or do I have to use a different process to synthesize the nickel sulfate? If so, can I do so with the materials that I have? Also, the Watts formula does not include the saccharin or coumarin, but I know that these chemical additives will increase the odds of a smooth mirror like finish.

Also, is there a recommended quantity range, or at least a starting point, for these two chemicals for this application? Any insights here from an experienced chemist/electroplater would be greatly appreciated.

Edit: I was now looking at doing the conventional sulfamate method. How is nickel sulfamate different from nickel sulfate? And I am curious if this chemical is easier/safer, or more challenging/dangerous to synthesize. Also, can I do this synthesis with nickel acetate, sulfur, and/or nickel sulfate?

I am a hobbyist trying to learn/apply a Nickel electroplating process that I can safely do at my shop. My substrate is a machinable non-stainless steel with unknown carbon content, and I'm looking to do a close variation of the "Watts Bright Nickel" formula. I have a 99.9% pure Nickel Anode, Nickel Acetate, Nickel Chloride, Boric Acid, Sulfur powder, Saccharin and Coumadin powders.
The formula calls for Nickel Sulfate; is it possible to simply add the powdered Sulfur to the solution, or do I have to use a different process to synthesize the Nickel sulfate? If so, can I do so with the materials that I have? Also, the Watts formula does not include the Saccharin or Coumarin, but I know that these chemical additives will increase the odds of a smooth mirror like finish. Is there a recommended quantity range, or at least a starting point, for these two chemicals for this application? Any insights here from an experienced chemist/electroplater would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I am a hobbyist trying to learn/apply a nickel electroplating process that I can safely do at my shop. My substrate is a machinable non-stainless steel with unknown carbon content, and I'm looking to do a close variation of the "Watts Bright nickel" formula. I have a 99.9% pure nickel anode, nickel acetate, nickel chloride, boric acid, sulfur powder, saccharin and coumadin powders.

The formula calls for nickel sulfate; is it possible to simply add the powdered Sulfur to the solution, or do I have to use a different process to synthesize the nickel sulfate? If so, can I do so with the materials that I have? Also, the Watts formula does not include the saccharin or coumarin, but I know that these chemical additives will increase the odds of a smooth mirror like finish.

Also, is there a recommended quantity range, or at least a starting point, for these two chemicals for this application? Any insights here from an experienced chemist/electroplater would be greatly appreciated.