Logo Etching

D

Drache

Joined
Apr 29, 2001
Messages
16
Does anyone else have a problem with the search feature? All I can get is a blank screen out of it. Anyway...

Im sure this has been asked before. I am starting to look into an Electro-etching machine to mark my knifes. I either want to make the radio shack one seen on http://www.chriscrawfordknives.com/ or get the Etch-O-Matic Starter kit seen here http://www.etch-o-matic.com/knifemaker.htm. I want to be able to create a deep etch, and color it black. I also want to be able to make a "clear" etch if I need to. The website isnt very clear on if the etch-o-matic is capable of this (I can't find any AC/DC switch). If not, making my own will probably be the best. Has anyone made and used a hand-made etcher? Any pros/cons or tips on the handmade unit would be greatly appreciated (even better if you have a picture of a mark made with one).

Thank you for your help.
~Drache
 
I suggest that you look on eBay. I have purchased several very nice etching machines (which had very high list prices) for less than $20 each on eBay. You just have to be patient and look around, especially for units that are posted in an unusual catagories, or where the seller doesn't know what it is. For example, I once bought a Letcroetch Model 10A that the seller listed under "Test Equipment". I bought it for a whopping bid of $1.04 + $13.12 shipping. It was listed as "untested", but for that price I was willing to take a chance. It ended up working perfectly.
 
Yep, E-Bay is the place. I got a Marking Methods model 45 for $23 + shipping last year. It came in a nice wooden box with all kinds of extra handpieces and 5 boxes of roll stencils. Chris is right too, It was listed in a totally unrelated catergory. Patience did pay off.

Before that I used my motorcycle battery charger for about 10+ years. The hand piece was just a piece of alluminum with a bolt in it and flannel shirt pieces for the wick. It worked fine for both jobs. If you get a charger that has 6 and 12 volt option, you can mark clear and black marks. The stencils and fluid were the only expense.
 
Terry,
The 6 volt gave a deep etch (clear) then switch to 12 volt to color it in (black). When we were kids,way back, we would write our names on metal with jumper cables hooked up to a 12 volt battery.....ground to metal and a piece of coat hanger in the positive clamp to write with. Remember this may not be safe nowadays but back 40 yrs ago dads were more fun.
 
check out tustech.com
these guys rock for etching anything. their machines are more geared towards high end heavy duty production. so they're a ittle pricy (still worth it if you can bite the bullet on something like that)

but even though their stencils are made for large production heavy duty use
(one of their companies ran 15,000 knives through the etcher with one stencil, even if it only was a relatively light etch, with our deep etches we should be abe to get a few hundred out of a stencil)

they are extremely inexpensive on stencils. one time set up fee for whatever design (varies slightly but its nomally like 22 bucks) and a sheet of 6 stencils is 13 bucks from there on out. it only takes them a day to make the stencils if they already have made them before. these guys rock

good luck man
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top