Looking to get an etcher machine..

[zealot]

I'm looking for one of these. Saw this over at Knifekits and wondered if it's any good.
http://www.knifekits.com/vcom/product_info.php?cPath=49_132&products_id=639 thx

 

[LARRYZ10]

I used one for 6 months and it worked pretty well but I eventually wanted a higher power and bought a Personalyser plus from Jantz knife supply and am very happy with it.

 

[zealot]

Thanks for the reply Larry. Wow, those are damn expensive!

 

[Atlas Knife Company]

From what I'm seeing, it doesn't have AC for marking. It looks to only have DC for etching. An Atlas Mini from USAKnifemaker.com has both and used a 3A transformer, just like the personalizer. It's not variable, but I have yet to meet anyone who regularly changes the voltage anyway. Most set it to 12-16v and leave it.

 

[Barry Clodfelter]

I built one using plans from Chris Crawford that works quite well. I think I have about $50 in parts plus time.

 

[M forge]

+1 on the plans from Chris Crawford site. I built one just a few months ago and I am not talented when it comes to electronics. The voltage is a little high and if you use salt water and the cheap blue stencil it burns them a bit, but still makes a great mark. I going to get the voltage control that is recommended on Ernie's site as well as some real stencils from him. That should make it pretty much equal to the personalized plus.

On the cost I walked into my local Radio Shack and handed the nice young lady a parts list I had printed. She got everything for me. It was about $60 plus I had to get a cord from the hardware store about $6-8.