Maxamillion
Super Member
I'm in the process of upgrading my RSIIb's (outboard crossover, internal bracing, new wiring, etc.), and awaiting the news from Graz from Apogee Acoustics as to whether he can make new EMIM and EMIT diaphragms for us. Since the drivers are out of the speakers, I decided to disassemble one of the EMIMs and take a peek. All looks OK except that the plating on the magnets is peeling off (see pictures). In the second picture, the magnets on the right have been brushed lightly with a soft bristle brush on a Dremel to remove the peeling plating, the magnets on the left are as found. In a few places the peeling plating was actually contacting the diaphragm - not good!
From reading on this subject I believe my EMIMs have the neodymium magnets, which are nickel plated. It seems like a simple solution to carefully remove as much of the loose material as possible, then have the magnet assembly re-plated at a local shop. I'm assuming that the plating can be done without removing (ungluing) all the magnets from the metal backing plate, as I'm sure that would break most if not all of them into pieces. I suppose an alternative would be to paint them with a thin coating of chrome paint, but I'd rather nickel plate them if that's what they had originally. I'm afraid the chrome paint might decrease the magnet strength versus plating them.
Has anyone ever done this?? Any watchouts regarding the plating process, especially for magnets??
From reading on this subject I believe my EMIMs have the neodymium magnets, which are nickel plated. It seems like a simple solution to carefully remove as much of the loose material as possible, then have the magnet assembly re-plated at a local shop. I'm assuming that the plating can be done without removing (ungluing) all the magnets from the metal backing plate, as I'm sure that would break most if not all of them into pieces. I suppose an alternative would be to paint them with a thin coating of chrome paint, but I'd rather nickel plate them if that's what they had originally. I'm afraid the chrome paint might decrease the magnet strength versus plating them.
Has anyone ever done this?? Any watchouts regarding the plating process, especially for magnets??