Hi Don,
This is a great series and highlights how much work you're putting into these pieces. Keep up the good work!
How do you maintain or re-establish concentricity between the pinions and wheels after dismounting/remounting them? Do you top the wheels after remounting them?
I was under the impression that standard ETA wheels are made of glucydur or some other copper beryllium alloy. If the ones you're using are glucydur, they shouldn't need to be plated at all, but extreme care should be used when filing or otherwise grinding them, as the dust is highly toxic.
_john