Marking Methods

A

A T Barr

Joined
Oct 10, 1998
Messages
634
I've used a Walden etcher for years. It does
a good job, just not too deep.

I'm considering the purchase of a Marking Methods etcher. Has anyone purchased one recently? I was wondering what they are going for now. What is the difference in the performance and price of the 300 and 300A?

Do they sell just the etcher, or will I have to purchase the carrying case/work station?

Thanks for any information.


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A.T.
http://www.customknives.com
AKTI #476


 
A.T., I bought mine years ago and it came built into a case with room for storing the solutions, etc.. It's a big heavy sucker though.

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Jerry Hossom
www.hossom.com
 
I would pass on the marking methods unit.. too expensive with too many gadgets...get one of the small units that are being made. only around 100 bucks....jay harris makes his own....cost around 30$...I know there are a lot of different ones being made from 80 to 150 that would serve you well. i got the one i have from glenn hornby over 17 years ago and its still going strong...has an on/off switch and an ac/dc switch and a 5 amp fuse and thats it.

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http://www.mayoknives.com


 
I LOVE my Marking Methods machine, I bought it in 1984 and have never had one problem with it. I have the Mark 300 unit, no bells and whistles, just a good machine. Their art department is great, and also their tech support.

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www.simonichknives.com
 
I bought a Marking Methods machine about a year ago (Model 300). They occasionally have a few used machines in excellent shape and I was lucky enough to get one. Still came with the full warranty and all new attachments (wires, cleaners, etc). I LOVE the system...extremely flexible and will do a VERY deep etch if desired. I think I paid about $700 but I got a few options in addition to the kit(if memory serves a new machine with the entire kit is around $850 - $900 but don't quote me on that). You can buy just the power unit if you want. My contact is Gary Kolar (phone # 626-576-7564 email excellence@markingmethods.com)

The 300 is the main power unit. The 300A designation is the entire marking kit which includes the Model 300 power unit, carry case, cleaner, electrolyte, wire, wicks, pad, bells, whistles, etc). The typical knife maker or Gunsmith probably won't need all the stuff that comes with the 300A (it includes a lot of special "small part" marking attachements). Gary helped me assemble a kit that only had the things I needed for marking knives and gunsmithing work (blades, barrels, frames, etc).

Oh yeah, Rob is right...their art department and tech support guys are great!

BTW...Rob, how does the unit work on Talonite? What electrolyte are you using?.

Hope this helps,

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Cecil Self
SELF Knives
Arrow-Dynamics Cutting Tools
www.arrow-dynamics.com
 
I tried some different electrolytes for Talonite and surprisingly, the same one for stainless steel is the best, I think it is MSC-1. Talonite is tougher to etch, takes a bit longer, and when you run the AC to darken the etch that takes longer as well. In strong light the etch has a brownish cast.

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www.simonichknives.com
 
I would really try to find a used machine before you purchase anything.

I bought a 300K, which is like the 300A but wihtout the case and all that crap. Anyway, I got it for $120 from a maker not too far away from me and it works fantastic. I have all the adjustments for marking depth and I didn't have to pay $900.

My best advice is to find a maker who uses damascus all the time, because I have met several makers at shows that bought Marking Methods machines and then weren't happy with their results on damascus.

I don't know why, it works great on the ones I've done.

Anyway, that's my two cents. Otherwise, I'd do what Tom said and get a plain, inexpensive marking unit.
 
Stop,
Marking methods is a great outfit and do great art work .
However the unit they sell is for production etching (hundreds/thousands a day ) Kershaw uses them and they do a good job but unless your etching hundreds of blades a day those machines are overkill.True grit abrasives sells a nice etching unit for a hundred bucks that does just as good a job as marking methods. I have one and love it and it should last forever.after all it's just a transformer .

Aloha!!! Ken Onion
 
geez...i already said that...what are you trying to do make me look bad??
frown.gif
 
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