etching problem

chuckM

chuckM

Joined
Feb 16, 2000
Messages
31
help! have experienced difficulty with my etching. i am useing a chem-etch personalizer plus with stencils made for me by chem-etch, have had very good results overall and until now been quite pleased with this system.my last 4 blades that were A-2 have been very nearly ruined- its lucky that these were not intended for any particular person and i have given two of them away with apologies for the nasty marks. i have gotten new electrolyte (SC-E4) and still the "bite" is too agressive, i have even tryed masking, but still get extra etching along the edges. the etch worked fine on 440V. any suggestions?
 
Chuck, might you be leaving the electrode on the blade too long?? Also, can't you buff or grind the etch back off and refinish that side of the blade?? Take care! Michael

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A2 has quite a bit less chromium than 440C so will be more vulnerable to the etching salts and electro corrosion caused by the voltage. The rate of etching(corrosion) can be slowed down by reducing voltage or reducing concentration of the electrolyte.

By the way there are special solutions for tool steels, you might try them if the above does not work.

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george
www.tichbourneknives.com
sales@tichbourneknives.com


 
also, how big is the carbon block you are using, i grind mine back tillthey are just a little bigger than my logo....try using thinner felt too, i put about 10 drops on the felt, swipe the bottom of the logo so it will stay put while im doing it...and dab the thing about 3 times slowly...then switch to ac....and do the same. plus what L6 said, i make sure to clean off the solution immedialtely after finishing with wd40 or acetone.

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http://www.mayoknives.com




[This message has been edited by tom mayo (edited 02-21-2000).]
 
Tom, what did you mean when you said you swiped the bottom of the stencil to make it stay in place? I use a Personalizer with Marking Methods stencils, with the stencils held in place with electical tape, and sometimes get some bleed over that has to be buffed out and re-done. Thanks
 
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