Hey guys I just had some questions on etching. Is the only way to do a good quality detailed etch of a makers mark on a blade with a 300 dollar etching kit? It seems as though the screen print stencil and electrolysis is the only way to get any kind of detail. I looked through the stickies and couldn't seem to find any on the subject, but if anyone could point me to them or give me some tips that would be great!
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is available! Price is $250 ea (shipped within CONUS).
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/
Etching
- Thread starter Tkrocky
- Start date
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2010
- Messages
- 636
Usa knife makers has some intro level markers for much less than $300. Also look on you tube for videos on how to make your own.
I would say the $300 etchers with professionally made stencils are the way to get the best, easily repeatable marks. However, they are most certainly not the only way to do it.
Personally, I have used the Blue Lightning Stencils by Ernie Grospitch at http://www.erniesknives.com All around nice guy selling a very good product. I also have some stencils made from vinyl graphics, though I have yet to use them. I had them made up at a local sign company to use as cheap 1 use stencils since I think my current etching method is burning up my good stencils. For the power source, all I have used to this point is a car battery charger. It isn't the best option and I think it is the reason for the previously mentioned issues with stencils. However, though not optimum I can make it work and I feel at this point I am still better off funding other aspects of my hobby. For etching fluid I currently use vinegar with some table salt added. Again, not the best, but it makes due.
These are just what I have used, there are other methods/suppliers that you can search out as well. FWIW, I whole heartily recommend using a real etching machine with professionally made stencils and etching fluid for optimum results. I am just conveying some alternatives.
Here is a quick shot of a mark I made with the battery charger.
Good luck,
Chris
Personally, I have used the Blue Lightning Stencils by Ernie Grospitch at http://www.erniesknives.com All around nice guy selling a very good product. I also have some stencils made from vinyl graphics, though I have yet to use them. I had them made up at a local sign company to use as cheap 1 use stencils since I think my current etching method is burning up my good stencils. For the power source, all I have used to this point is a car battery charger. It isn't the best option and I think it is the reason for the previously mentioned issues with stencils. However, though not optimum I can make it work and I feel at this point I am still better off funding other aspects of my hobby. For etching fluid I currently use vinegar with some table salt added. Again, not the best, but it makes due.
These are just what I have used, there are other methods/suppliers that you can search out as well. FWIW, I whole heartily recommend using a real etching machine with professionally made stencils and etching fluid for optimum results. I am just conveying some alternatives.
Here is a quick shot of a mark I made with the battery charger.
Good luck,
Chris
A.McPherson
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2012
- Messages
- 2,933
You can always just use a resist and acid and avoid the electronics all together...
- Joined
- Feb 16, 2010
- Messages
- 3,668
The Atlas Mini Etcher sells for 1/3 that price. Stencils are going to run $40-50 from IMG-Electromark. Be creative with your stencils and get several different things on the same sheet when you order them. I got my name, my kids names, several different steel type, lots of numbers, happy birthday, etc. all on one sheet of stencils. If you order from IMG, tell Patricia you want to buy a couple practice stencils as well. Better off practicing/ruining something other than your custom stencil.
- Joined
- May 2, 2013
- Messages
- 1,711
The MOST important thing for a good etch is the stencil. And Ernie makes good ones. Second is the handpiece. Being able to cover the entire stencil at one time makes it easy to get things nice and even. Aside from those two things, any etching machine is just a power supply. Just don't get greedy and think 'if 9v works 36v is better.' Heat is your enemy in this process and wrecks stencils fast...
There are plans all over the web for an AC/DC machine for both marking and etching that use a transformer, full wave bridge rectifier and some switches. These are a home build version of the personalizer from Electro-Chem and work every bit as well. Otherwise for simple etching a wall wart charger works fine. Even a 9v battery will work but I have just never been a fan of shorting batteries.
-Eric
- Joined
- Nov 23, 2003
- Messages
- 773
Do a search for Chris Crawford's or Bob Warner's electric etcher plans for building your own unit. Years ago, I had trouble understanding their written instructions for connecting the wires, so I reproduced their plans with a few different items than was originally listed on the Chris Crawford website (namely the electric box and the etching pad). Anyway, I drew a diagram which detailed the electrical connections. Many people have found it useful. See the bottom of http://www.logiudicecustomknives.com/knifeshop/etcher/ for the circuit diagram which can be downloaded in PDF.
The point is . . . that you can build a "quality" etcher with less than $75. Then invest in decent stencils and electrolyte. Your final cost will be much less than $300.
I have found that a 12 volt etch at about 4 amps is ideal and will not burn quality stencils easily.
There are many lower cost options too, such as using 9 volt power supplies, using resists, salt water, etc. but I think you would be best served to build your own unit or purchase a brand name etcher if your want a high quality and repeatable etch.
Mike L.
The point is . . . that you can build a "quality" etcher with less than $75. Then invest in decent stencils and electrolyte. Your final cost will be much less than $300.
I have found that a 12 volt etch at about 4 amps is ideal and will not burn quality stencils easily.
There are many lower cost options too, such as using 9 volt power supplies, using resists, salt water, etc. but I think you would be best served to build your own unit or purchase a brand name etcher if your want a high quality and repeatable etch.
Mike L.
- Joined
- Feb 16, 2010
- Messages
- 3,668
My biggest problems with the Warner/Crawford design is the abundance of expensive parts. Here's a DIY I wrote up on making one for around $20:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-Electro-etcher-under-20?highlight=diy+etcher
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-Electro-etcher-under-20?highlight=diy+etcher
I proved last night that though while you can make it work, the battery charger with vinegar/salt for an etching solution is far from optimum. I wanted to etch my mark in 3 blades that I had done a forced vinegar patina and then stone washed. Set up as normal and etched the mark. When I pulled off the masking and washed it down with windex to neutralize the acid, the mark just wiped off. Apparently, the patina/stonewash I did to help resist corrosion also resisted my attempts at etching. This morning I finally achieve the desired results by resorting to using muriatic acid compound(used in washing masonry) as my etching fluid.
Chris
Edited to add...
I also used the vinyl graphic stencils I had previously mentioned. They worked like a charm. At approximately 10 cents each I wasn't afraid of burning them up by etching too long or with the muriatic acid.
Chris
Edited to add...
I also used the vinyl graphic stencils I had previously mentioned. They worked like a charm. At approximately 10 cents each I wasn't afraid of burning them up by etching too long or with the muriatic acid.