Photo Etching

Joined
Mar 11, 2003
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Well it took a long time to get this system(kodak thin film resist)and I love the results, though I'm still learning hear is the result of my first attempt, this is on 440C using a ferric chloride spray bath.
 
Crushenator 500 said:
Looks good to me!

I wonder how long that would hold up for though, and what abuse it can take?

It is cut in very deep, unless you grind it out it will be there for you great grandchildren to see
 
Terry_Dodson said:
Can you tell me more about this "kodak thin film resist" and how you did it?

When exsposed to ulteraviolet radiation through a photographic transparency a negitive working resist crosslinks or polymerizes in the areas that are struck by the ultraviolet radiation. The image formed by the ultraviolet radiation and defined by the clear ares of the transparency is insoluable in the developing bath. the opaque areas of the transparency act as a mask and allow those portions that have received no exsposure to be desolved in the developer. the soluable portions wash away and leave a tough chemiacally resistant image in minute relief on the surface. this image acts as a clearly defined mask for etching, plating, or some other surface alteration.
 
Terry, IMG (International Marking Group) makes a substrate for creating your own electro-etching stencils, in case you are unaware of that. Bob Warner had a tutorial on his website for making one's own stencils using their material.

Just tossed that out here in case Appleby's stuff isn't applicable to electro-etch.
 
Terry it will work with an electochem etch but the resist is applied directly to to material your are etching, the only time you would need the elctrochem is with hi chromium alloys like 416SS, it comes as a resine thick like syrup and has to be thinned down. you can get it from; Photofabrication chemiacl and equipment Co., 522 route 30, Frazer, Pa, 19355. Phone, 610.296.8585
contact William Smith. Call and he will send the info booklet to you.

This is no used for making stencils, I make the negitives on the computer then print them off on transparent film
 
Here is a pic of the spray bath I made for about 30 bucks using a small fountain pump, and some PVC, works great, and a pic of test number 2 at about 3 minutes in the bath. The etch is very crisp and deep, This was on a plain carbon blade
 
this is what i am using for stencils right now:
http://www.photoez.us/
They did not have the Hi-Res stuff when i ordered, so i got the regular ones. They work pretty good, but if i needed smaller characters or images i would go with the Hi-Res (I will get that next time). It only need ultravilot light (or sun light) and water to develop them. And they work pretty good for my home made etcher (using Bob Warners etcher plans). :)
 
That really looks nice Bob. I'm very impressed. Of course, you always have had alot of patience to do that kind of extra touch. Now when someone wants their name on a blade I know where to send them.
;)
 
Terry that looks pretty good and if you are using an electro etcher thats perfect and inexspensive but as I said this system is not a stencil, it is the same process used to make micro chips applied directly to your work surface and you can get ultrafine clairity.

Thanks J. I sould be able to cut any print or pattern with this as long as it is a positive/negitive type art work(no shading)and if it is a folder blade I would prefer the knife not be assembled so send em on. Thanks, Bob
 
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