$5 DIY etcher

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rashid11

Joined
Dec 8, 2005
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Mereckons one should be able to get one built for $5. That's right. All you need are 2 voltages: AC and DC. DC etches the depth, AC deposits black.

So, next time you're at a flea market, pick up (they sell them for $1 most of the time) 2 "charger" power supplies - 12VDC and say 12VAC.

All you need now is a DPDT switch On-Off-On. To the 2 contacts in the iddle you attach 2 wires - one goes to the blade, another one to the pad.

To the "top" pair of contacts on the switch you attach 2 wires from AC power supply. To the bottom pair - 2 wires from DC power supply. Done .

If you want to get fancy, fashion a shoebox enclosure. Add a fuse.

To operate, flip the switch to DC and get some depth. Then flip to AC and deposit some black. Of course, make sure you get the polarity right when in DC mode (which wire from the 2 on the middle 2 contacts goes to the blade vs pad).
 
You may need a more power than those will provide or it may take alot of time to make the etch. If you can get a 1 amp power supply for cheap it should work.
 
They sell these at all kinds of amperages - same low price :) . Some are not phone chargers per-se but power supply bricks for all kinds of electronics
 
I cannot do a search but somebody a while back posted a build thread using a computer PSU
 
J.S. Carter said:
what about a computer power supply? say a standard 500 watt model. would that work?
Click to expand...
Yes and no.

If you have an older "AT" style that used a "hard" power switch, yes.

If you have a newer "ATX" style that uses a "soft" power switch, not really.

A switching circuit COULD be made to use a newer ATX power supply, however unless your good with electronics and electricity, it'd be more of a pain then it'd be worth for most people.

You can tell the difference between the AT and ATX power supplies by looking for a black switch cable in addition to the main power cables. If there is a separate switch cable, you're fine, if not it uses the "soft" switch.

Warning: Computer power supplies are "switching power supplies" which as far as your concerned, means you can't turn the PSU on WITHOUT having a suitable load on it.

Warning2: Unless your insane and don't care about your personal health, don't open the PSU. There is no transformer. The 120 VAC is rectified directly, which means the main capacitors, have 120VDC sitting at them which is very very dangerous.

As far as getting your 12VAC goes... transformers are EASY to find. No need to use a "wall wort". You can find suitable transformers in almost any electric device that plugs in the wall.

I'll be happy to answer any other power supply questions, I don't want to see anyone hurt themselves :)
 
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