etching 0-1

F

floatlikeariver

Joined
Sep 6, 2006
Messages
29
I want to compare notes on etching differentially hardened 0-1 blades in feric chloride or other etching agents. Any different methods that have worked better or worse for you? Neutralizing? Soak times? Different suppliers? Any responses would be appreciated
 
FC neutralized with Windex. Dark grey that you can rub out with steel wool and a little oil for a medium to dark coloration. Or you can wet sand with 1200 grit for a light to medium. Check my fighter in the gallery. I rubbed it out with 1200.
 
floatlikeariver said:
where can i find said fc?
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At your local Radio Shack. They have it in 16oz bottles and call it "PCB Etchant Solution". Radio Shack P/N 276-1535.

I mix mine 1 part FeCl to 2-3 parts water for my damascus etching. I prefer to go slow and take my time with it rather than etch it all at once by using it full strength.

-d
 
Some Radio Shacks don't carry the ferric any more. I tried 3 in my area with no luck. Finally got some from a friend and like it. Before that I used regular 15% vinegar with great results. With both ferric and vinegar it's critical to totally degrease the blade. Acetone works very well. With ferric just put the clean blade in and give it 3-5 minutes depending on how dark you want it. With vinegar I put the vinegar in the microwave and heat to boiling. Put the blade in and give about 20 minutes for the etch. Like Deker said, Windex (with ammonia) will kill the etching process. 0000 steel wool works to get the black off. I clean with Dawn detergant/water and then do a final rub with the 0000 steel wool and oil.
Rick
 
That's pretty much what I do.
Mix ferric chloride 50/50 with water. (by the way, radio shacks will usually order this stuff if you pay for it ahead of time. )
I either sand to 600, or buff, clean with soap and water, then rub down with acetone.

Initial soak the blade for 2-3 min, rub the oxides off with 0000 wool under running water, repeat until you like it. The oxide layer will prevent further etching so make sure you get most of it off before dipping again. You'll be suprised what you will discover under that next layer of oxide. I like to sand with 1500 grit after a few etchings to bring out some underlying features.

The good thing is, if you sand too much off, you can always start over.
 
Dave Bowen said:
(by the way, radio shacks will usually order this stuff if you pay for it ahead of time. )
Click to expand...

Yup! Also, at least around here, the Radio Shack in the Mall is less likely to have it than the stand alone/strip mall ones. They target the ones in the mall more to the soccer mom/cellphone crowd than the electrinocs geek.

Either way, it's in their catalog so they'll order it. That's why I made sure to include the part #.

-d
 
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