Etchant question

D

DHackney

Joined
Jul 12, 2004
Messages
178
Hi folks,

I've been trying to find some ferric chloride and have come up empty-handed. I tried serveral Radio Shack stores and they no longer carry the stuff. I've heard that some folks use muratic acid but thought I'd ask if there was any other media type that one can use that would do a good job of bringing out the hardness line.

Thanks,
Dana Hackney
Monument, CO
 
From what I have read vinegar is used quite often. I have not tried it so I cant speak for how well it works. I purchased some FC from radio shack about 2 weeks ago, so some are still carrying it. I'm sure you could probably order from their website if you dont mind waiting for it...just have to worry about paying shipping but try here...


Ryan
 
You can get a good antique etch by coating with Birchwood Casey Superblue and then soaking in bleach (sodium hypochlorate solution). Leave it in the bleach until it get all rusty looking, then use 0000 steel wool to clean it off and sand it to your satisfaction. Kill the reaction by washing it in water and bicarb. Put a thin coat of oil on it to protect it.

I got this method from Chuck Burrows (aka Wild Rose). It was used a lot by the late, and missed, Gib Guinard-Cactus Forge.
 
:thumbup:

I was able to find some ferric chloride at a Radio Shack near where I work in Denver.
Should I use this stuff at full strength or dilute it some?

Thanks guys,
Dana
 
It seems sometimes to work better mixed with a little water. Best way to find out is to just do it. Hot water ,cold water , sometimes I take a q-tip soaked in water and dip it in a dixie cup of FC then paint it on.
Many different ways to do it.
 
Go back to Radio Shack and ask for "Printed Circuit Board Etchant". They don't know it as ferric chloride.
 
I use 1 part FeCl to 3 parts water. I use distilled water since I have had varying results with tap water. (I always know how distilled water will work).


One trick you can do on a small blade is to edge-harden with a torch. This will usually leave a temper line but...if you etch in muriatic acid for a few minutes (check regularly), then neutralize it and wash it off well, then blue it.

This leaves no temper line in your damascus.

Craig
 
I just ordered two bottles of it from a Radio Shack in Pa. Like Stacy said, ask for circuit board etch. Thanks Brian Goode for the instructions. ;)
Scott
 
ferric is the way to go I think. I want to try muratic too - Anyone have dilution ratios for it?? :D
 
I just bought 2 bottles.

They call it PCB etchant in the catalog.

Dilution:

50 percent water and 50 percent etchant works great .

Some folks heat it to 150 degrees before using it.

An aquarium heater works great for heating it up.
 
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