Question about making a etcher

[chknifemaker]

I'm planing to make a electro etcher and I want to add in a varyable transformer to it like this:

https://www.google.com/shopping/pro...3.3&ei=aG6vU532Gc6cyASF3ICoDQ&ved=0CGUQpiswAA

And I was wondering would this work(like on the personalized plus)? Is it worth it? Would you need a special rectifier?

Thanks

 

[Overmountain]

Just plug it into a dimmer switch on the AC side. Easy peasy.

Eric

 

[Atlas Knife Company]

Well, that is AC only and won't etch. DC current etches while AC only darkens/oxidizes. Yes, you would need a rectifier to be able to etch with it. More importantly, you'll never use anything above 24(more likely 16) volts for etching. 130 volts is just plain unsafe for etching/marking.

Now, for the good news, if you add an 8A 300V rectifier(about $2) you would have a very nice titanium anodizer unit. A modified rectifier with jacks for probes would be very easy to build. Just remember, even thought we're used to DC current being safe at low voltage it will conduct across dry skin at 45V and can kill you at higher voltages. This is a very dangerous piece of equipment if not used with the utmost safety.

Just to appease the safety police, I repeat:
This is a very dangerous piece of equipment if not used with the utmost safety.
This is a very dangerous piece of equipment if not used with the utmost safety.

 

[Drew Riley]

I agree with zaph1. For etching purposes, this is absolute overkill.

I made one using a 24V transformer and put a switch on the center tap to get 12V OR 24V.

Honestly though, you really don't need more than 12V if you have a decent etch pad and electrolyte. 24V works a bit faster, but you also risk burning stencils a lot easier.

Now, if you're planning on anodizing, or perhaps building a carbidizer, then that Variac will be the ticket.

 

[Overmountain]

I read variable voltage up there somewhere I guess. If not looking for that, disregard... For variable voltage I see guys wasting money on variacs and the like and what I was suggesting is this, use a dimmer switch on your AC input. Then AC from dimmer to transformer (24v is fine if you are using a dimmer to reduce the final voltage. I use 24v for plating and larger etching in a tank just using my etcher as the power supply. So it does have some usefulness just not in small logo etching...) Then Transformer to full wave bridge rectifier. From rectifier the DC output goes to one side of a DPDT switch. The AC from the transformer goes to the other side of the DPDT. It is a very simple but effective etcher. Plans are plentiful for the wiring from transformer to rectifier and then to switch.

Cheers and good luck.
Eric