etching with 12volt?

L

L.K.Smithy

Joined
May 22, 2007
Messages
273
i just scrounged a lamp base thats a transformer for 110 to 12volt, dont some etching processes use 12 volt? i dont know much about doing etching but i want to learn. all i can use it for is making iron oxide for thermite, learned that in my anarchist cookbook days. still have bags of the stuff ha. thanks for any input or ideas.
-Lou
 
yes 12v will work. one thing to remember the higher the voltage the more heat is created at the etching spot. my home made etcher will go from 0 volts up to 50 volts at around 15 amps or more. its a beast. i useto use wax and carve my logo through it and etch. but any thing higher than 5v would melt the wax. now i use nail polish. just paint it on your blade and let it dry. when it most of the way dry but not hard use somthing pointy and carve your name through the polish. let it dry the rest of the way.
 
then use a damp cloth or something on the negative lead, to etch? or is this where the etching solution comes into play? thanks
-Lou
 
is your transformer ac or dc. what i do is use paper towel and fold it up a few times so its thicker. put it on your name and put some salt water on the paper towel. not so much that it drips out, just enought to get it damp. then positive wire to blade and negtive wire to a 1/2" stainless steel bolt. use the flat head of the bolt as the etchinq pad. push the head of the bolt onto the damp paper towel. you should hear some sizzling sounds and the paper towel will turn black. this works good with O-1
 
yea, it transforms 110 ac to 12v dc. does it matter? thanks much for the tips, i think i'll be plaing with this tomorow.
-Lou
 
yes it maters very much. ac does not etch it oxidizes. dc etches. ya try it out on some scrap first befor you etch your blade.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top