Using a Personalizer

Peter Atwood

Peter Atwood

Joined
Oct 26, 2000
Messages
2,468
Hi all,

I'm about to get a basic personalizer. I have never etched before so I have no idea what is going to be involved. I'm sure the instructions will tell me most of what I need to know but my main question here concerns the stencils. They say that a 2 foot roll of stencil material comes with the machine. How can I transfer an image onto that roll? I have a laser printer, will that do it? How big is the stencil sheet and how thick? Do I need to send it out to have my logo done? I seem to remember George Tichbourne or somebody talking about this subject awhile back. Any light you could shed would be appreciated. :)
 
I use Marking Methods to make stencils. They keep your design on file. They cost about $35 for the first order and $10 after that for replacements. I dont know what type of material the personalizer comes with but it is probally just for one shot stencils.
 
I have the basic personalizer and it does a good job.
The stencil material that comes with the machine has a wax like coating on one side. Whatever mark you can make by removing the wax can be marked on your blade. A typewriter works ok but they are 1 time uses. Get a stencil made made. You get 8 - 10 for the money but they do charge a set up fee for the first time.You could scratch a design in the wax for a one of a kind design.
Take Care
TJ Smith
 
Well, that's what I figured. There just is no easy or cheap way out of any of these knifemaking propositions is there?:D I have a logo made up so I'll send it off to Koval for the $39 and get the stencil sheets. Sounds like you get several hundred impressions for the money though, and that will last me for years!
 
Ron Newton and others advised me to have some stencils made up. Again, the one time set up fee was about $35 and then the stencils are about $9-10 a sheet with 6 stencils on each sheet. Ron also told me that he and Tim Hancock and others only use the stencils once, as the mark becomes less sharp and clear after that. A lot of people use them over and over, but the first use is the nicest, clearest mark. At first, you might think that this seems extreme and a waste of money, but if you're talking about a very expensive knife, it only comes out to about a dollar fifty per blade.
 
Hi,
I also have a regular Personalizer and it's okay but the stencil roll it comes with stinks !. The Company that makes them Electrochem etching will make a stencil for you that is superb. A photo negative like stencil with very accurate lines. They take a sort of picture of the design and somehow turn it into a stencil. They can fit as many of the design (depending on it's size) on one sheet. You can then cut them out indiviually. I believe the sheet they make them on is about 4" X 5" so you can fit a bunch on that. They last a minimum (they say) of about 100 uses. It takes just a couple of days to make them and send them to you. The cost is around $42. shipped if I remember correctly. They also sell the machine that makes these photo negative stencils for around $500., but who really needs that. Good luck etching, I still have'nt mastered it as far as making a nice clean and perfect etch. Take care.....RDT
rderespina@hotmail.com
 
I tried ethcers two different times in my knifemaking adventure and never did get an acceptable mark. I had stencils made and it didn't help. I would add the personalizer to your thread of things I bought that were a waste of time and money times two. Thank the Lord for Ebay and the engraver I was blessed with.
 
I use a personalizer. Up until now I have used the stencil roll that came with it. It works ok. Use a good typewriter to make your stencil and type over each letter about 10 times (this varies with the typewriter and letter your making.) The instructions are good and I have zero complaints with my machine. Wet your pad with electolyte and then pat the pad on a rag untill it is just damp. To much will bleed under the stencil and cause your image to blur. I have heard of people using an old pin type printer to produce graphics. A professionally made stencil is much better. I used mine from marking methods for the first time today. I've tried photo screens etc and had poor luck. If you get the stencils from MM, order the green ones. Dont make your lines on your logo to wide or the quality won't be as good.
Marking Methods Inc.
301 So. Raymond Ave
Alhambra, CA 91803-1531
(626)282-8823
They have a website but its not overly helpful, just call and talk to a real person. They are very polite and professional. Almost eveyone I talked to suggetsed them. Also, Do a search, there are several very informative threads on this subject.
Sorry for the novel, good luck
Leonard
 
Thanks for all the help guys! I'll research the threads you mentioned this weekend when I get a breather from a very stressful week at work. Any other suggestions for good results at stenciling? Sorry to hear that your efforts have not met with success Michael....... :(
 
electro-chem etch metal markings,inc 545 A west lambert rd. Brea, Ca, 92821 (714)671-7744 the rhino you see on my first webpage is also my bussiness card with phone # and website added and get the green material lasts longer and is sharper, also peter this is a small amout of money to mark my knives. i made,em and i want my name and logo to be clean and sharp! there is also a booklet of this kinda carbon paper that they sell. i use a old time typewriter with the ribbon pulled out to date and # my pieces, you can also do stuff like, MADE FOR ????????? or initails if someone request it.
 
Good one Laurence. I hadn't thought about numbering but that makes sense. I'll check Electro-Chem out too. :)
 
Hey Peter, I made my etcher with the instructions that Frank Niro posted, it consists of 1- 6 volt flashlight battery, 2 small pieces of
1/4" stainless steel, 2 pieces of #12 wire about 18" long and a piece of 1/8" copper about 4" long and 1" wide( Took a piece of 3/4" copper pipe and flattened it with a hammer) total cost for the etcher was $2.98, I got my stencil from marking methods and a small bottle of carbon steel electrolite, total cost $52.00 with shipping, total etcher $54.98.

I've sold several knives with this new etch, and everyone says it looks great, its very simple but it works.

If you want to try it, punch up etcher under search and look for my post, any questions just e-mail.

Hope this helps ;)

Bill ????
 
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