Who makes and sells a good electo etcher.

SVanderkolff

SVanderkolff

Joined
Oct 31, 2002
Messages
979
My etch o matic just died after 10 years of hard use, misuse and resurrections and I figure it is time to not only replace it but get something that will give me a truly professional look. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Steve
 
I just bought a Personalizer + about 6 months ago. Its the only etcher I've ever used but I have absolutely no complaints.
 
Another vote here for the Personalizer Plus. It's a solid unit with variable voltage output (0-24 volts at 3 amps). It comes with a carbon block applicator pad and a good supply of pads. You also get electrolyte for carbon and stainless as well as a bottle of cleaner/neutralizer. Pretty good deal for what you get in the box in my opinion. I was having some trouble with it at first producing a clean etch and mark, but after experimenting with different settings and hold times I think I've finally got a mark worth putting on my blades. Here's a shot of my last practice etch and mark.

002.jpg
 
Steve, I am on my third etching device and I now use "The Personalyzer Plus" I previously had the basic model which is called "the personalyzer" and it worked well but I thought there was something better and in my opinion the more expensive model is worth the extra dollars because it has a variable power knob and more power... about 24 volts. I run it on "etch" at about 2/3rds power or about 16 volts for four seconds and then flick the switch to "mark" for 5 or 6 seconds and get a nice etch every time. If you want a deep etch then you run it longer. The best improvement to my etches came from switching to a commercial etchant solution. I tried three or 4 products but the best to me number 94 from IMG in Utica New York . I checked with some of the other knife makers on this very forum about what they like and while I got many different answers many of them were using the Personalyser plus and IMG etchant and were happy with results. I also heard several comments about which stencils were best ,and many of them are good. I have had good luck with stencils from TUS in Mass. and also the "GREEN STENCIL" from a company in Brea, California. Both work well. I have not used the stencils from IMG but more than one maker has recommended them. Just my opinion. Get several opinions before making up your mind. Larry Lehman
 
Steve, Try Pops knife supply, Jantz knife supply, or Texas knife supply. All 3 carry this unit. Check the shipping prices...Pop's has one for $245 and Jantz is $249 but has $9.95 shipping. Larry
 
Steve, I just shipped a batch of 10 etchers to USAKnifemaker, but I've got a couple left if you are interested and I'll even include a set of 5 different electrolytes with it. It's the only etcher out there that has a momentary push button to give a rapid pulse etch instead of just holding the pad there for several seconds. The only complaint I've had was a customer wanted it always on instead of having to push the button to turn it on. My solution was to put a rubber band around it to hold the activate button down.

I know people are keen on the variable voltage. The reason I never added it to my etchers was that it is rarely used. People set it to 2/3rds and leave it. At that point, it's just $50 of wasted electronics.
 
zaph1 said:
I know people are keen on the variable voltage. The reason I never added it to my etchers was that it is rarely used. People set it to 2/3rds and leave it. At that point, it's just $50 of wasted electronics.
Click to expand...

zaph1,

I don't want to sound argumentative, but I strongly disagree. While I am new to using these machines, I am already seeing the benefits of selectable output voltage and I think there is a reason you find many professional makers using machines that have that feature. I've quickly realized that there are many variables when attempting to etch and mark steel. Having the capability to fine tune the output based on those variables is never a waste in my opinion, even if it's rarely used. I would much prefer to have a machine with variable voltage if needed, than to need it but not have that capability available to me.
 
I have one of zaphs etchers and it does everything I need it to do with good results. It etches a good deep mark and does it fairly quicky. The only issue I have is that no matter what I have tried I can't get much darkening on my etch. It hasn't been a big deal because I started to etch deep and then buff, leaving an imprint that is polished like the blade. It's a bit harder to see, but seems to be the way I have to go for now.
 
Sorry, don't mean to jack the thread here.
Grayzer, do you have salt or 110 for electrolyte? Salt doesn't etch as well as 110, but it darkens better. #94 works great for both. I'd send you some, but it wouldn't make it through customs on it's own.

Adam, perhaps I mis-spoke when I called it a waste of electronics. When I built the unit, I decided that an arcade style activation button allowing short, repetitive etches was far more useful than a variable voltage that rarely gets used. As far as 16VDC is concerned, it's a trade off between time and not destroying stencils. Identical results can be had with 3VDC it just takes a lot longer.
 
Thanks for the heads up zaph, I have 110 so I will give salt a try for darkening up. Sorry to op for hijacking.
 
I have to ask, why your electrolyte won't make it through customs? I have received it from others several times. Frank
 
For the Personalizer or Personalizer Plus go to [url]www.knifemaking.com [/URL] The Personalizer Plus is in stock now, the Personalizer is due in anytime, but with the weather can't be sure. (limited supply in stock, please be sure to ask!)
 
Hi Steve , my unit is from Marking Methods. It is a heavy duty unit and is industrial quality. Wouldn't use anything else now.
 
I wonder if we could get a good etching tutorial written up for the stickies showing how to etch stainless, simple carbon, Damascus, etc. with different models?
Personalizer Plus could be the first one, since so many recommend it.
Anyone already have something written up?
 
Thanks, Patrice.
I brought that up because there often seems to be interest in the correct supplies and materials - along with procedures - to get this job done efficiently on all of our various steels and such.


Patrice Lemée;12952935 said:
Karl, there are a few tutorials on youtube that might work if somebody can add them to the stickies. I like this one and need to try it, from Brian Fellhoelter:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3i3h4v27As&feature=c4-overview&list=UUW6YK2QCxxCGQzuhrek9nNw
Click to expand...
 
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