Radio Shack Going Out of Business

i4Marc

i4Marc

Joined
Oct 19, 2011
Messages
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I saw on the news that Radio Shack is going out of business. For those of you who use their PCB etchant as your go to solution for hamons you might want to stock up a bit.
 
I've been using anhydrous ferric chloride powder for a while now, but it does really suck to see such an American classic as Radio Shack go the way of the dodo...
 
I started going into Tandy/Radio shack stores as a kid. Build my first radio from and Archer kit. Made my first knife sheath with a kit from the same store. In out town the store was electronics to the right and leather crafts to the left.

Ordering anhydrous Fc from ebay and other places is far cheaper for making up FC stock solutions than buying it pre-made in little bottles, anyway. There are some safety concerns to be followed with mixing the dry powder and water, but it is pretty simple with the proper care and preparations.

For those who will go to mixing their own:
FC should be mixed to make a 42 Baume stock solution. You add one pound of crystals to 18 ounces of water to get this strength - one pound to one quart is close enough. Let it sit for a couple days before you use it. Dilute the working solution from this stock . Three parts water to one part stock is what I use. If you don't need a lot of FC, you can just mix one pound FC powder in a gallon of water and get the using strength solution.

If you are just making up one gallon, skip the stock solution. If making up a larger batch, one gallon of stock solution is easier to store than four gallons of working solution.

Mix outdoors and don't breath the fumes when it is dissolving. Wearing rubber gloves and a face shield, is a good practice. The solution will get hot and give off chlorine gas as it dissolves the powder. Add the powder slowly while stirring constantly. Mix in a stainless or enamel pot. Don't mix in a plastic bucket or jug, as it can melt the container. Know which way the wind is blowing so you are up-wind. A fan blowing is a good idea. Once mixed and cooled down, pour off into the storage jugs.
 
Stacey,

From what materials can storage jugs be safely made? Plastic, glass, pvc?
 
I have such a deep affection for Radio Shack that if they go out of business, I will seek out the individual responsible and introduce them to my version of tough love, scared straight or whatever ;0(
 
My understanding is that they have filed for Chapter 11 protection, not Chapter 7 liquidation, and that Sprint may be planning to take over some of the locations. No idea what they will look like.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
I started going into Tandy/Radio shack stores as a kid. Build my first radio from and Archer kit. Made my first knife sheath with a kit from the same store. In out town the store was electronics to the right and leather crafts to the left.

Ordering anhydrous Fc from ebay and other places is far cheaper for making up FC stock solutions than buying it pre-made in little bottles, anyway. There are some safety concerns to be followed with mixing the dry powder and water, but it is pretty simple with the proper care and preparations.

For those who will go to mixing their own:
FC should be mixed to make a 42 Baume stock solution. You add one pound of crystals to 18 ounces of water to get this strength - one pound to one quart is close enough. Let it sit for a couple days before
Click to expand...

What is 42 Baume? is that the strength? so one pound of FC+18 ounces of water= basically what we buy from Radio Shack and you can dilute that like normal? I had never really thought about making it from powder.
DR...
 
OK - guess I'll finally give up my secret in light of Radio Shack rumors.
Go to this link:

https://www.graphicchemical.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=43&cat=Acids+&+Mordants

Scroll down the page to 13650 and 13660.
Pre-mixed liquid gallons of 42 Baume Fecl for 24 bucks.
A pint is 10 or 11 dollars at the Shack.

Considering all the money you guys are going to save, when you see me at the next knife show - buy me a cheeseburger or a taco or something. :D
 
Karl B. Andersen said:
OK - guess I'll finally give up my secret in light of Radio Shack rumors.
Go to this link:

https://www.graphicchemical.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=43&cat=Acids+&+Mordants

Scroll down the page to 13650 and 13660.
Pre-mixed liquid gallons of 42 Baume Fecl for 24 bucks.
A pint is 10 or 11 dollars at the Shack.

Considering all the money you guys are going to save, when you see me at the next knife show - buy me a cheeseburger or a taco or something. :D
Click to expand...

Thanks Karl, I'll order some. I like the liquid stuff better than the powder. I'll buy ya a cheeseburger...:cool:

When I first started buying FC at Radio Shack it was $2 per...
 
I've been getting mine from Electronics Supply Co. in Kansas City.Mo.

About $12/Qt....IIRC
 
Karl B. Andersen said:
OK - guess I'll finally give up my secret in light of Radio Shack rumors.
Go to this link:

https://www.graphicchemical.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=43&cat=Acids+&+Mordants

Scroll down the page to 13650 and 13660.
Pre-mixed liquid gallons of 42 Baume Fecl for 24 bucks.
A pint is 10 or 11 dollars at the Shack.

Considering all the money you guys are going to save, when you see me at the next knife show - buy me a cheeseburger or a taco or something. :D
Click to expand...
Excellent! Does that stuff come in the same concentration as the Tandy goop? How much does it cost to ship by truck? That citric acid additive to make it a "hotter" solution sound interesting too.
 
Karl B. Andersen said:
OK - guess I'll finally give up my secret in light of Radio Shack rumors.
Go to this link:

https://www.graphicchemical.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=43&cat=Acids+&+Mordants

Scroll down the page to 13650 and 13660.
Pre-mixed liquid gallons of 42 Baume Fecl for 24 bucks.
A pint is 10 or 11 dollars at the Shack.

Considering all the money you guys are going to save, when you see me at the next knife show - buy me a cheeseburger or a taco or something. :D
Click to expand...

Sweet! I'm also curious to know how much the shipping is. What is the difference between the 13650 and the 13660? One says "Tech Grade" and the other says "Photo Grade." The 13650 is $3 cheaper ($21) for a gallon than the 13660, not that I care that much about $3 extra but I'm curious to know what makes them different/ Thanks! :)

~Paul
My YT Channel Lsubslimed
 
Karl B. Andersen said:
OK - guess I'll finally give up my secret in light of Radio Shack rumors.
Go to this link:

https://www.graphicchemical.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=43&cat=Acids+&+Mordants

Scroll down the page to 13650 and 13660.
Pre-mixed liquid gallons of 42 Baume Fecl for 24 bucks.
A pint is 10 or 11 dollars at the Shack.

Considering all the money you guys are going to save, when you see me at the next knife show - buy me a cheeseburger or a taco or something. :D
Click to expand...

Thanks Karl! I was just wondering what I was going to do for ferric in light of Radio Shack going out of business......I'll check these guys out.
 
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