i did edge quench on my first Damascus and below the hard line the etch is not to good above it looks great etch is circuit board acid mix is 100%. i used 01 an 1018 quench fluid vege oil, beeswax, an trans oil how to fix next time dip the hole thing right????
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bad etch?
- Thread starter mike buss
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- Aug 16, 2001
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- 852
Hello Mike. The normal ratio for etchant is 3 to 1. Three parts water to one part etchant. I usually clean the blade, (acetone, and dawn) so there is no oil on the blade at all. Then do a series of etches, usually three for ten minutes each, with checking in between. I would probably just re-hand rub the blade and do it again. And yes, I do submerge the whole blade.
Brion
Brion
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- Oct 3, 2002
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Yes, harden the whole blade, with damascus it will etch/look better. And like Brion said, mix 3 parts water to 1 part etchant, it will etch much better.
Also, your steel mix might be part of the problem. And I would get some quench oil or at least do the veg oil or ATF but not mix all that stuff together, no need for the bees wax.
Also, your steel mix might be part of the problem. And I would get some quench oil or at least do the veg oil or ATF but not mix all that stuff together, no need for the bees wax.
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith
ilmarinen - MODERATOR
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Hardened steel etches slower than soft steel, usually.So, if you did an edge quench, the two hardnesses will etch at different rates and colors.
You might get better results on that blade with an even higher dilution. Try 5:1 (water to PC board etchant). Take the blade out of the etchant every couple minutes and scrub it with Scotch Brite pad, then put it back in the etchant ( wear good rubber gloves, unless you like orange/brown fingers).
When the etch looks a little more than you want, wash the blade, scrubbing well with steel wool or Scotch Brite, and neutralize the FC with Windex or ammonia. A light sanding with 400 grit will clean up the etch. Stop when it is the way you want. If you over-sand, just re-etch for a few minutes.
Stacy
You might get better results on that blade with an even higher dilution. Try 5:1 (water to PC board etchant). Take the blade out of the etchant every couple minutes and scrub it with Scotch Brite pad, then put it back in the etchant ( wear good rubber gloves, unless you like orange/brown fingers).
When the etch looks a little more than you want, wash the blade, scrubbing well with steel wool or Scotch Brite, and neutralize the FC with Windex or ammonia. A light sanding with 400 grit will clean up the etch. Stop when it is the way you want. If you over-sand, just re-etch for a few minutes.
Stacy
- Joined
- May 23, 2008
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- 115
Related question-
I am using the Radioshack PCB Etchant, which is actually already a solution of water, FC and a couple other things. Do you dilute this solution just like you would with straight up Ferric Chloride?
I am using the Radioshack PCB Etchant, which is actually already a solution of water, FC and a couple other things. Do you dilute this solution just like you would with straight up Ferric Chloride?
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2002
- Messages
- 12,297
Yes, straight out of the bottle doesn't work very well.