Why do you use electrical tape instead of scotch tape to hold stencils when etching?

[LARRYZ10]

Is electrical tape superior in some way to scotch tape for holding stencils for etching? Is there anything easier or better? Thanks, Larry Lehman

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

No, I use scotch tape.

Electrical tape is more waterproof, but if yo don't over soak your pad, it should make no difference.

 

[SBuzek]

I use blue painters tape.

 

[james terrio]

I haven't been using any tape at all lately. Just a moistened stencil, a spritz of windex on the blade, and hold the stencil in place with my fingertip a la Fellhoelter's recent video. It works well and is fast. You do get a little tickle from time to time, though... just enough to make your fillings taste weird. Gloves would probably prevent that

 

[Shawn Hatcher]

You do get a little tickle from time to time, though... just enough to make your fillings taste weird.

- I've been trying Fellhoelter's swiping method. Works great, but I learned that if you swipe off of the stencil you get funny black marks on your pretty knife! :foot:

 

[Salem Straub]

I use Scotch tape, too. Ernie Grospitch's site recommends Scotch "magic' tape, and it work great for me. Nice and thin and easy to burnish onto the blade a bit to avoid unwanted etch marks around the stencil.

 

[silver_pilate]

Yep, scotch tape here as well.

--nathan

 

[CWendling]

What is the purpose of the windex under the stencil?

 

[james terrio]

What is the purpose of the windex under the stencil?

It helps the stencil lay flat against the steel and stick to it. This helps prevent a fuzzy image and "ghosting". The fact that windex is a mild neutralizer probably helps, too.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Windex has ammonia in it, and will neutralize any excess electrolyte that tries to seep between the stencil and the blade, thus preventing the haze/halo some folks get. The part in the open area of the stencil (the part where the mark is made) will allow the ammonia to be quickly overcome by the larger amount of electrolyte in the pad. You just want enough windex to wet the blade, and you just want enough electrolyte on the pad to transfer the metal ions from the blade to the carbon block. Excesses of either don't help.