Logo Etching In Progress

Eero

Eero

Joined
May 6, 2012
Messages
2,232
Got some PCB etchant from "The Shack" recently and started applying coats to a couple of my beckers. Left it on overnight and then rinsed off with soapy water and did it again. No visually noticable changes but it's doing something because when I wipe it clean rusty metal flakes come out of the etched area. Few question for those of you that have experince doing this:

How long did you leave it on for / how many applications did you do for a decent logo depth?

Post up some pictures? The thread Granite made about electro etching is still fresh in my mind but I havent seen too many photos using just the PCB...

Just applied:

08F2A9BA-914E-4921-95D4-CF4ADB7140B2_zpsxgy56is2.jpg


Closeup:

62935BF9-E22A-4C9E-95A4-E44F7FBD8458_zpsxmjqelzw.jpg
 
Watching with interest.... I finally have a new laser etched Becker (BK10!!!) and I was contemplating doing the same before it gets stripped when/if it gets stripped.
 
Cool, Eero. I just finished putting together a more sophisticated electrochemical etcher; got my 12 on the bench but haven't gotten to it yet. I'll miss the ghetto setup with the car battery charger, tho ;). I'm curious to find out how long it takes, too. I have some 'Shack solution leftover from decades ago when I was making some custom circuit boards (believe it or don't, you can actually use PCB etchant to etch....PCB's!) but it seems even more time consuming than putting together the etcher that I just made. Looking forward to seeing your results....
 
Every time I see a new post I come into this thread to be disappointed by a lack of update.

This is my way of saying I want to know too.
 
Ha! I did the same thing....clicked on here thinking I would see some progress. I'm going to try and pull myself away from cleaning my §h!+hole basement and do some electro etching on my 12 with my new etcher I made the other day. Probably going to have to finish the Ruthless Rye I'm drinking and start another one before I can lose my inhibition of responsibility...
This is the brew, with a knife that needs no etching:


And the complete etcher, built out of a 12VDC power supply for the alarm industry:



It's not really a hijacking of the thread if Eero's not posting anything, right?
 
Ruthless Rye is a good one. Funny thing about Sierra Nevada though, I tend to like their yearround beers more than their seasonals, with the possible exception of the ruthless rye and the bigfoot.

Looking forward to seeing the 12 etched, but more interested in seeing your electrical box of magic in action.
 
dynamicmoves said:
Ruthless Rye is a good one. Funny thing about Sierra Nevada though, I tend to like their yearround beers more than their seasonals, with the possible exception of the ruthless rye and the bigfoot.

Looking forward to seeing the 12 etched, but more interested in seeing your electrical box of magic in action.
Click to expand...
One of the reasons I've been holding off is the last time I did it I took pics, but not "in process". I got lots of questions, and I want to document this time better, possibly with video, so that folks can see how easy it really is. Soon. This was the last time with the ghetto setup: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1107696-Electro-etching-my-new-BK-16-patina
I really like their Torpedo, but Flipside was awesome and I enjoyed a bit of Celebration as well. The Ruthless Rye is probably one of my favorite seasonals of theirs. Oh....and Narwhal....that stuff is just unbelievable. I have one more....maybe that'll be the christening beer for the new etcher.
 
granitestateofmind said:
One of the reasons I've been holding off is the last time I did it I took pics, but not "in process". I got lots of questions, and I want to document this time better, possibly with video, so that folks can see how easy it really is. Soon. This was the last time with the ghetto setup: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1107696-Electro-etching-my-new-BK-16-patina
I really like their Torpedo, but Flipside was awesome and I enjoyed a bit of Celebration as well. The Ruthless Rye is probably one of my favorite seasonals of theirs. Oh....and Narwhal....that stuff is just unbelievable. I have one more....maybe that'll be the christening beer for the new etcher.
Click to expand...

I had forgotten about their Narwhal...
I like their porter, and their stout quite a bit. I won't turn down a torpedo, pale ale, or glissade though...or any of the seasonals...


Ever try etching your own graphic into a knife?
 
dynamicmoves said:
I had forgotten about their Narwhal...
I like their porter, and their stout quite a bit. I won't turn down a torpedo, pale ale, or glissade though...or any of the seasonals...

Ever try etching your own graphic into a knife?
Click to expand...
That's why I put this etcher together. I used to teach calligraphy and was employed for a while as a graphic artist (at a t-shirt place). I've got some Cricut vinyl, a swivel knife and a book of celtic knotwork for inspiration....hoping to brand my 9 once I've nailed down the process. I also think big and don't always deliver, so it could be a while. I'm working on the procrastination thing....tomorrow.
 
granitestateofmind said:
So....how's that etching thing going?
Click to expand...

Applied another coat and washed off before I left town for 4 days :eek:

Going to finish this up when I get back Tuesday. Don't worry I'll keep ya guys updated! My projects happen pretty slow and believe me I'm just as eager to see how it turns out...
 
Finding etchant around here is problematic. I'm thinking of trying this vinegar method instead. Anybody here try this?
[video=youtube;U0wTNdgL2Uc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0wTNdgL2Uc[/video]
 
Op,

When I etched my BK14, I applied it mostly in one hour increments, neutralized the acid with baking soda, and scrubbed the surface with a soapy toothbrush and baking soda, and rinsed. Then I'd repeat. From what I understand, a "build up" develops that inhibits the etching after a while, so I think scrubbing between coats is the trick.

Ultimately, I did five one hour applications, two two hour applications, another one hour, and then two more one hours. So twelve hours total.

It's really tricky trying to detect how deep you are etching when the coating is still on. Just continue comparing it to the other side and you will notice it's getting deeper and deeper.

You have to be careful though with leaving it unattended for so long, such as with leaving it on over night. As it eats "downward" sometimes you will lose detail as it begins to eat "outward". Do it in one or two hour increments. Twelve hours was my magic number. All the letters, even the little ones, are nice and crisp. It's deep enough that when I run my nail over it it will catch in the letters.

Good luck!
 
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