Etching question

[Taz]

I use a cricut vinyl stencil for my mask. I coated the sides of the blade with nail polish, but some of the side of the blade got etched, so now I do it before I finish the blade grind so I can clean up any over etching.

 

[Natlek]

It isn't. Depositing oxidized particles is less durable than oxidizing in situ. And AC doesn't change thickness. Doesn't mean that DC will not make it good. One could consider plating if reverse polarity is a choice.

How did I not think of that until now ? Now I'm in trouble ,I must try that

 

[JoeBusic]

,I must try that

Imagine this. Damascus blade. Etching your sign. Nickel plate. Acid etch the blade. Polish. Nickel plating would look awesome. Gold over nickel even better.

 

[Happychicken]

Yep cost me 13 dollars plus 1.75 for 2.1 to alligator adapter and it just etched like a charm

 

[Taz]

Craig, search "MRC Model Train Transformer dual 770N" or "HO scale Athearn SDK-789 model train railroad powerpack transformer" on the 'bay. Some model train transformers are crazy expensive (Lionels), but others will be in the $30-40 range shipped. Look for AC connections, usually on the sides of the unit, not on the top.

Lab bench power supplies are also out there, which sometimes have AC outputs. I found an older, used one on the 'bay for $60 shipped. These are fairly big units.

Found this one as well! I think this will work for etching??
"AC/DC Power Supply - 12.6VAC @ 1A, unregulated / DC output of 3,4.5,6,7.5,9,12V" on the bay looks like it should work as well?

 

[Crag the Brewer]

Craig, search "MRC Model Train Transformer dual 770N" or "HO scale Athearn SDK-789 model train railroad powerpack transformer" on the 'bay. Some model train transformers are crazy expensive (Lionels), but others will be in the $30-40 range shipped. Look for AC connections, usually on the sides of the unit, not on the top.

Lab bench power supplies are also out there, which sometimes have AC outputs. I found an older, used one on the 'bay for $60 shipped. These are fairly big units.

Found this one as well! I think this will work for etching??
"AC/DC Power Supply - 12.6VAC @ 1A, unregulated / DC output of 3,4.5,6,7.5,9,12V" on the bay looks like it should work as well?

Thank you for more Direct info. That's what I want, literal and direct.
I will look those up.

I want etching & darkening. Hopefully in one unit.

 

[Taz]

You're welcome!! It's hard sifting through the different stuff out there sometimes! I am very happy with my setup. I learned to wash the felt pads out frequently or the machine doesn't work well. Lower voltage seems to give less deposits on the pads (less washing the felt), but takes longer to etch, so it's a balancing act.

 

[dhalpin22]

Here is a good etching solution for $125. I'm posting this because it took me a while to sort though this etching noise as well, so hopefully it helps somebody.

Solar ES2500 booster pac + hobby daubers. This unit does not have the safety mechanisms that look for a partiallly charged battery, or reversed polarity etc.. It's just old school jumper pac, it doesn't even have an on/off switch. Works very well. Just get some salt water and etch away. Helps to have a Cricut to make stencils..

https://www.amazon.com/Booster-ES2500-1100-Peak-Starter/dp/B0002SQTYG/ref=asc_df_B0002SQTYG/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=241994092016&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4421632993726431324&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9009955&hvtargid=pla-491970503279&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/TCP-Global-Wool-Daubers-Brush/dp/B08HNBC2Z3/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=hobby+dauber&qid=1679057924&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&smid=A23ADOZFIJNPFB&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFaSlROTUJXWktGUjEmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA2NzEyNjIyVjU0M0RERzhUQ1ZLJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAwOTU1NzcxRjBPN1BRVk04V1AzJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==