Etching blade...Flitz before or after?

[Dan Gray]

You'd think with a degree in chemistry I would've been able to figure it out for myself, but I guess not. Dummy. It just isn't a stong acid in terms of what I've dealt with in a lab situation, so I figured the can would be no problem. In the past I've always used plastic and glass to keep it in, so I didn't even think about it. I just figured it would be shot for etching in the future, but it was just a little bit so I didn't care. I wish I would've cared!

the tin can will work holding FC
if the FC can etch enough tin to dilute itself from working before the holes start
I'm just not sure how thick the tin can has to be to do that though

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Having been a research chemist back in the late 60's,I know to keep my ferric-Cl in a plastic jug.And that jug gets stored in a drywall bucket.Nasty stuff when it gets its teeth into any iron product.Even the vapors will corode anything near it.Store it sealed,and away from your steel rack.Don't use old plastic bottles (clorox,etc.)They are too thin and the vapors can permeate through the sides.Pin holes are a big risk with salvaged bottles.Get a one gallon chemical grade polyethylene jug from your pharmacist or any chemical supply.Your shop equipment is too valuable to risk on a $2.00 savings.