etching makers mark problem

L

ldoyle

Joined
Jun 29, 2010
Messages
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I use the Personalizer to mark my blades , 3 five second runs on etch cycle [for depth ]and 3 five second runs on the mark cycle [for black ] I get good clear , dark marks but I can wipe the black off the marks with a rag and end up with just a ecthed mark , not dark . This has just started recently . I tried a new stencil , made sure I had a good ground and used fresh etchant , but it still happens . Anyone have any thoughts on why this is happening ?
Thanks ,
Larry
 
try a LOT more etching runs. I do like 10 of 10-15 seconds and then at least 5 on the mark setting. When you are done, clean up the area gently with your finest sandpaper.
 
the time has always worked before , But I will give that a try and see if it helps .

I do have a habit of trying to streach the life of the pads , so I`ll try a new one and see if that helps also .

Thanks guys
 
jdm61 said:
try a LOT more etching runs. I do like 10 of 10-15 seconds and then at least 5 on the mark setting. When you are done, clean up the area gently with your finest sandpaper.
Click to expand...
This doesn't smoke your pads?
My machine would do some damage with a 15 second hold on the stencil.
Fry the stencils, and wash out the mark.
I get about .0005 per pass on depth with the electrolyte I use, and I have maybe a second of contact per touch.
What are you guys using for electrolyte?

That being said, ldoyle, I recently had the same problem.
I called TUS and asked about it, thinking my electrolyte might be bad.
They told me it was unlikely, but since I was having some stencils sent, I asked if they'd send a small bottle of fresh stuff, which they did.

Problem solved for me.

Fresh electrolyte, and I am back to having Deep, Dark marks...
 
I just bought a new bottle of electrolyte from Texas knife maker supply thinking that could be the problem . It wasn`t .
 
ldoyle said:
I just bought a new bottle of electrolyte from Texas knife maker supply thinking that could be the problem . It wasn`t .
Click to expand...

You can make the electrolyte. Just add a little salt to water.

I'm thinking you are having a problem with either your ground or your wand. Normally the electrolyte will eat away where the wire are hooked up on both.
 
I did try to lightly sand the connection on my wand to see if it would help . Maybe I need to try something besides the little alligator clip on the ground .
It must be something simple because I used to get good deep dark marks .
 
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