No more Ferric Chloride from Radio Shack?

rhrocker

rhrocker

Joined
Jan 18, 2004
Messages
1,135
Yep, that's the rumor, liability reasons of course. They've pulled it from my RS here in Uvalde, Texas. Won't be getting any more in according to the manager.
I heard of this on another forum. So, what do we do, all become "woodworkers"? (No! I don't want that much competition!).
Ok, so one guy on that forum said to buy some cheap (his term) nails, not galvanized of course, and fill up a plastic jug with the nails. Then take Muratic acid (I'm going to recheck this, but I think it's right. I do know that it's the same as hydrochloric acid) and fill the jug up to the top of the nails. Pitch in more nails every now and then as the original nails are dissolved in the acid. Do this for 24 hours. The liquid will take on the brownish color like we see now with the stuff. Anyway, when the nails are all dissolved, or 24 hr. later, whichever it happens to be, you'll be left with Ferric Chloride, and one other chemical which I don't recall at this time. Supposedly is cheaper to make, not sure about that either.
Now, I make no claims here, and would advise anyone not to do this. It's just what I'm going to try. I have no knowledge of how it's made. Don't forget that there are other options out there like mustard, vinegar, and so on.
Please be careful if you're going to mix up a batch. Rubber gloves, proper eye protection, full face shield, wading boots with trousers legs over the boots, and a proper charcoal type face mask that will filter hydrochloric acid fumes /and or Ferric Chloride vapors.
 
Hey Robert, really? They're not going to carry it any more? Bummer. I'll look into sources when we get back from blade, maybe this is something we could pick up and carry...

:)

-Darren
 
Here's a source for the solid, cheap:

http://www.omnitronelectronics.net/phpstore/html/ER-21-FERRIC-CHLORIDE-ETCHING-CONCENTRATE.html

Be a lot less messy than making your own with nails. :) Dissolve about a quarter of it at a time in a pint of distilled water. ***USE GOOD VENTILATION*** You can save the rest. Let it sit a few days. A yellow preciptate may form. Let it settle then decant the liquid into another bottle and you're good to go. May have to re-figure your dilutions.

You can also search on PCB etchant, circuit board etchant, or "printer's mordant" to find other sources, too. They use it to etch copper plates for printing.

PS: Ferric Chloride is also used heavily in the waste treatment industry as a "flocculant" in waste water purification.
 
I've heard of people using just straight muriatic acid, although I've never done it. Has anyone tried just using muriatic acid?
 
I just talked to our local Radio shack a week ago and they told me it was still in the book. He was going to order me some. I will check with him next week when we get back.

Bill
 
I went by my local Radio Shack and they had also pulled it. Theonly thing they had was an "etching kit" whhc didn't seemto containanything that Ineeded. But that is probably ok. My one experience with FeCl tells me that i may want to stick with white vinegar for baldes, but the FeCl sure works nice on 1018 guards when you alternate between it and Birchwood Casey Super Blue.
 
Check out waste water treatment plants. There is one attached to one of the cheese plants where I do a lot of stainless steel welding. they bring Ferric Chloride into the plant in 250 gal tubs. I can usually talk to the supervisor and get a quart or two when I need it, no charge.

Ken
 
I get my ferric cloride from the electronics shop here in town. I think we will always be able to get it. Rat Shack is going from being a electronics hobbist store to a supplier of ellectronics. I used to built my own circuit boards and electronic devices and have seen them going down hill in the components/supply business for years. Nitric acid works well also but, so far I have only been able to get high quality (%70) from the lab at work. I think the problem with nitric acid is that it is used to manufacture many high explosives
 
rexivy said:
Hey RHrocker
What do you know about Del Rio????
Click to expand...


Hi Rexivy. Well, it's about 75 miles West of Uvalde (where I'm located). Theres's a huge dam there, built in the early 60's I think. I think it's a nice city, not to large, not to small. Lots of culture from being on the Mexico border. Plenty of places to stay and eat.
Home of Laughlin Air Force Base. All in all, I'd live the if I needed to. Are you going to be stationed there or something?
Robert
 
I heard the rumor that Radio Shack isn't going to carry fc for at least 7 years now. I got some recently and had no problem getting it from some of the stores that had told me they weren't going to carry it anymore.
 
If you can get hydrochloric acid then i would make it myself. Iron rust is Ferric oxide (Iron III) dissolve in Hydrochloric acid and voila Ferric chloride.

Nitric acid and Iron would make Iron nitrate.
 
Sheffield used to carry it, but I have not ordered any for a couple of years.
 
Ironwolf is right, just have to be careful as wastewater plants use a much stronger solution than what you get from RS. Little goes a long way.
A well "placed" blacksmith knife will pretty much anchor an endless supply.
Also a source of good blade steel if you pay attenetion. Lots of O-1 and 52100 hits the dumpster on rebuilds and expansions.
 
Raymond Richard said:
I heard the rumor that Radio Shack isn't going to carry fc for at least 7 years now. I got some recently and had no problem getting it from some of the stores that had told me they weren't going to carry it anymore.
Click to expand...

I just bought some from RS the other day too.

Just a note to the wise:
If you switch FC brands, do some testing with it first. I bought a bunch from Fry's Electronics and it really doesn't act like the radio shack stuff. I'm guessing it much more concentrated to begin with or something.
 
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