Container for Ferric Chloride

Carterwhopkins

Carterwhopkins

Joined
Dec 12, 2012
Messages
238
I currently have a Rubbermaid 1 gallon pitcher that I keep my ferric solution in....works well and is certainly easy to get, but wish it was a little taller. I want to have another container of a more dilute ferric mixture and was wondering what a better solution might be. If I made one from pvc, would the ferric eat up the glue. I would prefer a vertical tube over a flat tray. Thanks!
 
I’ve had mine in black PVC for several years now with no issue. Only thing I’d change though is the cap. I got a round cap to slide on and off and it’s a tight enough fit that it’s really annoying to pull off. Instead, I’d put a threaded end on it so the cap screws on and off.

Jeremy
 
gudspelr said:
I’ve had mine in black PVC for several years now with no issue. Only thing I’d change though is the cap. I got a round cap to slide on and off and it’s a tight enough fit that it’s really annoying to pull off. Instead, I’d put a threaded end on it so the cap screws on and off.

Jeremy
Click to expand...


As said here, I did put a threaded cap on mine. Works great and easy to use
 
Plain PVC pipe (3" or 4") with a closed toilet flange for the bottom and a threaded cap for the top. If you use a push-on cap, it will get stuck by vacuum.

This is a closed toilet flange (main image is showing bottom. The PVC tube goes on the other side). This will fit either 3" or 4" PVC pipe. I like 4", but 3" will work if you only do straight blades. 24" is a good tube length.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Oatey-O...th-Pre-Installed-Testing-Cap-435572/303424694

Whole setup runs less than $15.
 
Thanks guys...looks like I will make up some pvc tubes.

Stacy, the toilet flange is a great idea, thanks for sharing.

Does any use a tube for a TSP bath?? I currently just spray my blades with Windex and then rinse in water.
 
Saw it in a John Grimsmo video...they use a baking soda solution after etching their titanium handles and blades.

I would like to build some kind of stand that would hold 3 tubes securely, but also be able to remove a tube easily for emptying/rinse/refill.....
 
Use two large head screws/bolts for each tube in a 2X12 board base. Make the screws just snug enough to rotate the toilet flange to the open spots ... and lift off the tube.
 
When I was in add Caffrey’s shop a few years back, he had two tubes. One with ferric, one with TSP. He dunked etched blades into the TSP one to neutralize. His only warning was to be very careful not to get even a small amount of the TSP dripping into the ferric solution. He felt he’d neutralized his ferric one time with some inadvertent contamination. His were affixed to the edge of his bench in one spot so they couldn’t tip over/get knocked around. I’m alfairly limited on space and used a flange on the bottom of my tube of ferric and attached that to some plywood. That way it doesn’t tip over and I can scoot it out of the way when not in use.

Jeremy
 
That is good advice....I may stick with the Windex...never had any issues. I like my FC tank to be portable as well. I may build a 2 tube holder and use Stacy's toilet flange and screw idea.
 
I couldn't find one of those closed off toilet flanges, and I'm lazy, so I just use a plastic graduated cylinder and pour my ferric chloride back into a jug for storage. It's probably way more hassle, but an alternative if for some reason building a tank is an issue.
Plastic_graduated_cylinder-1000ml.jpg
 
Thanks Milk...I did look at these earlier today on Amazon, and I do have some larger cylinders from my film developing days...good option.
 
Carterwhopkins said:
Saw it in a John Grimsmo video...they use a baking soda solution after etching their titanium handles and blades.

I would like to build some kind of stand that would hold 3 tubes securely, but also be able to remove a tube easily for emptying/rinse/refill.....
Click to expand...
I use 3 inch PVC with screw on lid, I mount the PVC to a couple of pieces of unistrut with unistrut straps. Mount the unistrut to the side of my bench "out of the way" which is to say, it's in the way all the time.
 
I've been using a minute made Orange Juice container for the last year to hold a 50/50 mix. Seems to be holding up fairly well... It was free.
 
I have looked at many of the regular containers of beverages, cleaning items, etc. around the house...the problem is, I need a taller vessel, I make chef knives and some are 300mm, the options are limited with standard containers above 200mm +/-. Think my new set will be made of pvc.
 
This is what I use. PVC container in a five gallon bucket of sand. Portable, easy to change fluid, and it doesn't drip all over the floor when you pull the knife out. Drips into the sand.

fc0001e.jpg
 
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