Etching machine transformer question?

[IFLY4U]

Will a model train transformer work for an etching machine? I have an opportunity to buy a 120W Kline train transformer with a varible power control from 2 to 18 volts for $49.
Gary

 

[B Finnigan]

The etcher I have is both DC and AC. I can't remember which gives depth and which gives darkening but a model train transformer is usually just DC.

 

[Teknition]

If you are just etching your logo on your blade and not planning on doing any anodizing, you can get a 2 amp transformer from radioshack much cheaper than that. You want an A/C transformer and a full wave bridge rectifier to convert the A/C to D/C, That way you can get both A/C and D/C out of your etcher. D/C etches the steel and a/c darkens the etch.

There are a few free plans out on the web to build an etcher, heres a link to one the one I built and it works very well. The tutorial has a radioshack parts like included.

http://www.chriscrawfordknives.com/CCK/Etcher_Tutorial/Default.asp

Heres a link to my to one of my blades that shows the logo etched with that etcher.

http://andersonknives.ca/Fillet - Logo Picture.html

Hope that helps you out.

Brad
www.AndersonKnives.ca

 

[dannyvp1]

Thanks Brad, Is the the way to go? Im new to this.
Im just started looking at marking my blades.
Anybody have anything else?

 

[B Finnigan]

I got tired of botched etches and went and got and H. Evers stamp made.

 

[Teknition]

Thanks Brad, Is the the way to go? Im new to this.
Im just started looking at marking my blades.
Anybody have anything else?

In my opinion, the etcher is the way to go, although I've never used a tang stamp. Since I burn all my own stencils, I find that to be the biggest advantage of the etcher over the stamp. If I want to change my logo, mark the type of blade steel on the blade, or put the customers name on the blade, it takes me 15 minutes or so and I have a stencil ready to go. I usually burn a new stencil for every blade I make and haven't had any problems. The stencil material itself is cheap (10-15 bucks for a 8-1/2X11 sheet) so I dont find it worth the risk of a botched etch to reuse my stencils. The average size of the stencil I make is about an inch square, so you can get alot of stencils out of one sheet.

There are advocates for stamps as well as etching, you just have to find what works for you. Probably the most cost effective way I've seen to get your mark on your blades is the way that Ariel Salaverria does it. He uses premade stencils from a sign maker and etches the logo with acid. Heres a link to his tutorial page where you can find his makers mark tutorial as well as a few more.

http://www.aescustomknives.com/docs/tutorials.htm

Brad
www.AndersonKnives.ca