Etcher - Sticker Shock

Fiddleback

Fiddleback

Knifemaker
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Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Oct 19, 2005
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I'm going to break down and buy or build an etcher. Then I got a quote for $500 to buy one.

Are they worth that? Is there some trick to the applicator that I won't be able to get from building?

Got links to plans?

I've been putting off marking my blades for a long time, and its time to get'r done.

But $500 sounds outrageous. I was an electronic engineer for 5 years, and can solder pretty dang good. So my question is basically about the applicator. (Is there anything special about it, or is it just some cotton saturated with solution?) And the schematic and part list? Anyone got one?
 
Before I knew much about what was out there especially when it came time to get an etcher I went with the best Marking Methods had to offer. I got the best they had. Shortly after I found I could have gotten one for about a 4th the price. Ron Clayborne makes a goodone. At the time he was out so I went with the Personalizer Plus. Shortly afterwards I found out from a friend that salt water works great as an etchent and can be made for penny's. Pretty sure at the time my Personalizer was $180.00. Neither will stand up to a fire.
 
Thanks Ray. I just tried contacting Ron Clayborne, and his e-mail and phone # were both no-go's.
 
Ron is often working in his shop and doesn't hear the phone. If you leave a message and a call-back number he will return your call. Ron makes a good etcher. I have one. It's sweet...

Dan
 
I've been useing an etch-o-matic cheepo. Works great with pro made stencils. Big thing is keep the screen clean and good pads they are also cheap.
The most important thing is well made stencils.
 
Build your own. I built mine about 4 years ago from these plans - http://www.chriscrawfordknives.com/CCK/Etcher_Tutorial/Default.asp -

I got everything from Radio Shack except for the power cord (that came from an old appliance that I scrapped), and the etching pad ( I made my own from a piece of Oak wood and a piece of brass).

I spent around $50.00 four years ago, but things have gone up in price since then.

I had a ball building it, and it works like a charm.

Robert
 
There are plans in the stickies here I believe. I built mine for about $75 and it works just fine. I had stencils professionally made and have had no problems.

Knowing what I know now there is no way I'd spend $500 on one.

SDS
 
dkaschner said:
Ron is often working in his shop and doesn't hear the phone. If you leave a message and a call-back number he will return your call. Ron makes a good etcher. I have one. It's sweet...

Dan
Click to expand...

It said his # was out of service, and his e-mail bounced. If you have good contact 411, PM me. Please.
 
Robert Dark said:
Build your own. I built mine about 4 years ago from these plans - http://www.chriscrawfordknives.com/CCK/Etcher_Tutorial/Default.asp -

I got everything from Radio Shack except for the power cord (that came from an old appliance that I scrapped), and the etching pad ( I made my own from a piece of Oak wood and a piece of brass).

I spent around $50.00 four years ago, but things have gone up in price since then.

I had a ball building it, and it works like a charm.

Robert
Click to expand...

I wish he had a schematic.
 
i'll build ya one for $150, or if i can find my plans, i'll send them to ya for nutt'en.
 
I built mine from the chris crawford plans. From Radio Shack the total was about $75. Get good stencils. I tried the 'type your own" and they looked crappy. Got mine from TusTech. Clean, crisp and each one is good for about 20 etches. Since you are only running low currents, the quality is the stencil.
Chip Kunkle
 
i bought the base model Personalizer for $130. The Plus is like $200 and has the variable output control. I have done a few knves with mine and am rather pleased. Still figuring out the etching times, but it sure beats the old stamp.
 
Built a couple of them for less than $55 basic stuff, the next one I have planed will have Variable voltage control for both DC and AC with a Meter to tell what the voltage is. can probably build that for about $75 my cost. Not hard to do at all.
 
Fiddleback said:
I wish he had a schematic.
Click to expand...

You're in luck. I created a schematic when I built my etcher from the Chris Crawford site.

Here you go. . . My Web Page that Contains the Link to the PDF document.

A direct link to the Diagram.

Good luck. It will save you lots of cash to make your own, and it works great. I only used 12 volts off of the amplifier instead of 24 volts, because the higher voltage was burning through my stencils.

EDIT: I bought my stencils, electrolyte, and cleaner from Dave Badt at LectroEtch.com. I also bought their DEP (Deep Etch Hand Pad) so that I didn't have to mess with making one myself (on this page: http://www.lectroetch.com/hand.html). After talking with Dave, I also bought a couple of square yards of felt material for less than $5 from them. I've got enough etch padding material to last for life, and I replace it each time I etch a new blade.

Mike L.
 
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Well, I went ahead and built one myself. Thanks to you all for the help and links to the How To and schematic!

nin013-vi.jpg


nin014-vi.jpg


nin017-vi.jpg
 
You got any pictures of the process, if not atleast take a pic of the finished etcher. What was the final cost of the parts and where did you buy them all? I am thinking of doing the same thing.
 
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