Mixing Ferric Chloride - Need assistance

[cartierusm]

Ok so I bought 1 gallon of Ferric Chloride from Ebay. It's labeled as 42% Ferric Chloride. I've searched everywhere to find out what PCB solution is as instructions for diluting it are based on that and I can't find any info.

Any help would be appreciated. What should I dilute my 42% Ferric Chloride at for etching Damascus?

 

[Russ Andrews]

Use distilled water...Start with 1:4 or 1:5 mix, and strengthen or dilute as preferred.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

And put the acid into the water-never water into acid.

 

[JTknives]

3:1 is standard for Damascus. 3 parts water and 1 part ferric. Allways add ferric to water. Put a measured amount of water in a container and slowly add 1/3 of that amount ferric to it. Mix it well and you are good to go. 43% is a standard mix and what we delute into a 3:1.

 

[cartierusm]

Ok good. Thanks guys. Hopefully I'll have my first knife made soon. Got all my stuff together for the most part.