Makers mark problem

[G.Scaffe]

After I mark my name on the blade (Etch-o-matic), when I go to clean the blade the black comes off. The steel is 5160 and the etchant is for this type of steel. Any help would be great.
thanks
Gene

 

[scottickes]

After I mark my name on the blade (Etch-o-matic), when I go to clean the blade the black comes off. The steel is 5160 and the etchant is for this type of steel. Any help would be great.
thanks
Gene

I'm not familiar with etch o matic. My machine has mark and etch. One is AC and one is DC. DC is etch and will remove material. AC is mark and will only put a mark, with no depth. I've found that AC can be rubbed off easily with my machine.

What I do is put my machine on DC and hold the pad on the stencil for about 90 seconds, which puts a deep etch into the steel. I then switch it to AC without moving the pad or stencil. This puts a dark layer down deep in the deeply etched area, that is less likely to rub off.

I mark my blades before ferric chloride etching my damascus, and before etching to bring out hardening lines. It holds up very well. I even lightly sand over them with 2000 grit sandpaper sometimes with no problems.

I hope that this helps.

 

[clemsonreeder]

You need to use the little alligator clip adaptor that came with it. Mine has red shrink wrap on it. That is the AC converter for the Etch-o-matic. Other than that, follow Scott's directions

 

[Raymond Richard]

Milk Man, Are you my dad? Follow Scott's instructions and things should work out fine.

 

[scottickes]

Milk Man, Are you my dad? Follow Scott's instructions and things should work out fine.

I learned it all from Ray about a year or two ago! I guess I should give credit where credit is due!

 

[Chris Meyer]

Milk Man, if it's any consolation, I've had the same problem with marking my blades, especially when I use the electrolyte cleaner that the marking companies sell. Try letting the mark dry a bit and then daubing at it, rather than wiping, as you clean off the blade.

I always make a deep etch with the DC, then switch to AC. If the mark doesn't come out (or stay) dark, I've taken to filling the etch with liquid gun blue. You just have to be careful not to get it around too much, as you'll have to sand off any stains that end up where you don't want them.

I haven't tried it yet, but a friend who used to do engraving recommended engravers enamel to fill the etch.