Etching Damascus -

[rlinger]

Tryed the vinagar. Doesn't work well on mine. I guess Radio Shack might still sell ferric cloride. Been along time since I etched circuit boards. They used to sell the stuff.

Anyhow, I plan to just experiment on the stock before doing any shaping. Should I start out full strength or cut it?? Cut it with water?? Also, I presume I shape the piece completely before etching and only buff for a finish, no sanding, or very fine sanding, after etch (right)??

P.S. It's for bolsters.

Thanks.

Roger

 

[fitzo]

Hey, Roger,

You might also try lemon juice, it's pretty acidic. Even cola drinks will work, but slowly. pH is lower than vinegar, though it is phosphoric acid in soda.

Radio Shack has supposedly discontinued the Archer Etchant, but they are selling out the stock slowly from the stores. Try diluting it with about 3-5 parts DISTILLED water. Etch 3-10 minutes, take out and wash off with water then wipe it with either fine steelwool or 800 grit paper to remove the oxide, then back in for another round until you get the depth of etching you want. Leave it at that, would be my suggestion. Have it to finish before etching. I'd also recommend a baking soda, ammoniated window cleaner, or some other caustic treatment after you're finished to neutralize the acid. Liquid Plumber works fine, too.

If you can't find etchant, ferric chloride can be ordered as the dry crystals, though a ridiculous hazmat fee applies. They used to sell it in the hobby shops, too, for kids' chemistry sets, but I suppose litgation probably made those extinct some while back.

Has anyone tried potassium permanganate as an etchant? It's a pretty potent oxidizer, too.
If all else fails, get some muriatic acid brick cleaner fom the harware store, it's hydrochloric acid with out the nail dissolved in it (etchant). Gotta dilute the heck outta that, though, it's quite concentrated.

 

[Gabe Newell]

I have been using the Radio Shack etchant mixed 50/50 with vinegar.

I get a really dark etch, but it comes off pretty easily. This is after 15 minutes.

I will try iterating with etch/steel wool and see if I can't get a more robust etch.