IMG Stencil Leak Through?

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Lurch01

Joined
Jan 4, 2015
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I bought custom stencils from IMG and tried etching for the first time. It was an abject failure. My etches turn out to be round blobs. Perhaps this fine body can tell me what I'm doing wrong.

I'm using a 5:1 solution of non-iodine salt and a power supply from an old electronic item putting out 12v and 5.0 amps DC. I carefully tape the edges of the stencil with multiple layers of masking tape and don't spill a drop from the etching pad. I'm using cleaned and degreased pre-heat treat O1 steel.

What I have noticed is that when I remove the stencil the underside of the stencil and knife surface both have a lot of excess fluid. I'm guessing this is the problem. I've tried both Q-tips and cotton balls and experimented with just leaving them barely damp yet there was still excess liquid under the stencil. I tried two different stencils in case one was defective but got identical results. I'm sure none of the fluid is getting in around the edge of the stencil.

Any ideas?

Bonus question: with this power arrangement how long should it take for a good relatively deep etch?

Thanks all....
Brian
 
Lurch01 said:
when I remove the stencil the underside of the stencil and knife surface both have a lot of excess fluid. I'm guessing this is the problem.
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Sounds like you're right - all that liquid trapped between the stencil and knife surface conduct the electrical current and etch away. It would improve your chances greatly if you could get an actual etching solution, AND an etching pad rather than your Q-tips.
 
What you need is a proper pad ( felt on a carbon base) and proper electrolyte. I don't care what you see on You-Tube, wet Q-tips and cotton balls hooked to an alligator clip are not going to be the right thing.

When you get your pad and solution, moisten the pad and then blot on a folded paper towel until it until it is barely damp.

When done with the etch you usually have to gently clean the surface with a very fine grit paper (1500) on a hard wood backer. Thus clens off any surface darkness, leaving the etch nice and crisp.
 
One tip I read here from JT Knives was to only use the AC power setting. It does slightly also etch but not as deep as the DC setting. The end result was a much cleaner etch, through not as deep. When I use DC and then AC, there is always bleed out that requires some sanding with fine grit paper backed by something very flat.

I also have IMG stencils but bought etchant from them too. Custom machine by Pesyak knives with felt pad over wood block.

I put a drop of windex on the metal under the stencil. That helps to keep the stencil flat on the metal
 
Great tips, thanks all. I'll order some solution and either make or buy a proper etching pad and regroup for another try.

Cheers,
Brian
 
Another thing to consider is how long you're making contact with the blade.

In my experience, 8-10 cycles of 3 counts with 3 counts in between on both DC and AC work well. Mileage will vary with machines obviously but extended contact can really scorch a blade causing a lot of cleanup.
 
make sure the stencil is flat on the area you want to stencil. if there is a space, the etching solution goes outside of the edges of the letters and thats why you get the blur. another tip, after its taped down, put a drop or two of windex on the stencil and rub it with your finger. the windex will wick itself between the stencil and the metal, and make even less blur. i "etch" for 2 seconds, and lift it off for a few seconds. it lets the gasses and heat escape. otherwise you will heat up the stencil and shorten its life. i repeat that 6-8 times. it gets deep enough where the depth is easily felt with your fingernail. i do the same on the "mark" polarity.
 
Thanks all. I wanted to close this thread with a pic of a crisp etch of my logo but I don't have a photobucket account.

Suffice it to say I took your collective advise and mounted felt to a firm backing and finished the electrical connections properly. I also took more care to make sure the template didn't move. The etches turned out very nice and I can repeat them. I'll try one on a finished knife tomorrow.
 
Lurch01 said:
Thanks all. I wanted to close this thread with a pic of a crisp etch of my logo but I don't have a photobucket account.

Suffice it to say I took your collective advise and mounted felt to a firm backing and finished the electrical connections properly. I also took more care to make sure the template didn't move. The etches turned out very nice and I can repeat them. I'll try one on a finished knife tomorrow.
Click to expand...
You can use imgur without an account. There is a thread in the stickies somewhere that has details on how to get a picture posted using imgur.
 
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