Etcher build question

[quint]

So I am working on building an etcher and was wondering if it really mattered what kind of metal you use for the bottom of the pad. I have scene brass and stainless recommended. Is there a benefit to a certain type of metal over another for this.

Thanks.

 

[Robert Dark]

Quint,

I can only speak for myself, but when I built mine back around '04, I used a piece of brass. I use a piece of felt between the work-piece and the blade, and after each etch, the brass tarnishes a bit. However, a quick rub with steel wool shines it back up like new.

I have etched somewhere over 300 blades and it is just like a "Timex" watch..... It takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'.

EDITED TO ADD........... The reason I used brass is because I soldered the copper wire to the brass piece using a simple soldering iron. It is a little more complex if you decide to use stainless (according to which stainless you use)

Robert

 

[quint]

OK gotcha, originally I was just going to use a piece of mild steel since I have some that is a inch wide which will fit nicely. Ive got some brass I could cut out though. Probably just do that. Thanks.

 

[tattooedfreak]

The mild steel will start showing rust very quickly, you can sand it right off but it might bother you after a bit. I used a piece of 316 sheet stainless, about 20g I guess. I used a micro torch to heat for solder, stuck the wire in and held it til it cooled. Works great. Ernie G uses brass for his and I guess it works fine as well.

 

[quint]

OK makes sense, Ill either cut down some of my 304 or just use some brass since I have some 1/8" brass sheet right now. Appreicate the help guys.

 

[Fellhoelter]

Brass works well.

Graphite works better. (motor brushes often already have a wire attached)

 

[quint]

Thanks I will have to look into finding one of those. I went ahead and used a strip of brass for now. Will see how that works out and keep my eye out for some of those brushes. See if I can maybe get a few used ones from work where we have some really big motors and generators. I think the ones on those are about 1/2" wide by about 1 1/2" tall.

 

[Atlas Knife Company]

I've found paper core q-tips work really well. They are never bigger than the stencil.

 

[Barry Clodfelter]

I used a scrap piece of ATS 34. Have 75 or so etches on it and except for the rust you have to sand off before use it works great.

 

[quint]

Well went with brass for now and the little guy etches great. I tried it out by taping off a small portion and using some salt water as the etchent. Got a nice deep etch then darkened it up really good with the AC side.

 

[Fellhoelter]

Awesome.

Now buy some commercial electrolyte.

It's almost free, and works exponentially better.

 

[quint]

Have some on the way, should be here soon. Gotta figure out now what my maker mark is gonna be. Got a little ways to go before I sell anything though so have some time to think about it.