working with meteorite????????

1

150kid

Joined
Aug 22, 2003
Messages
5
hi guys, was hopeing to find out some info on etching widdmansatten pattern meteorite. what do you use to etch? last time i used ferric chloride. is there any other ways of etching meteorite?can it be colorized? thanks in advance
150kid:rolleyes:
 
Kid, Good question. I too would be interested in the answer. You should post it on "Shop Talk" here in Bladeforums. It may get some action.

Welcome to Bladeforums. Stick around OK?
 
Hi guys,Here's my experience with meteorite, Thanks, in part to Des Horn of south Africa who I think does the best job on the stuff.
Polish very high but not with greasy compounds. use water based pastes like Flitz ,or, be sure to clean the grease off well with solvents if Flitz is not available. Stay away from ferric chloride, it tends to give a muddy finish. I wipe the meteorite (not immerse) with a 5% solution of nitric acid mixed with denatured alcohol, not water. I use cotton cosmetic pads that women use for nail polish removal (any Walgreens or similiar cosmetic counter sells them).Use gloves and don't breathe the fumes, protect your eyes too. keep wiping and the pattern will emerge slowly but surely.
Neutralize the acid with bicarbonate of soda.
You may be able to find small quantities of nitric acid at a print makers/ artist shop. Hope this helps, BOB
 
bob that was exactly the info i was looking for. i remembered reading about the nitric acid. but chose ferric cholride for ease.(couldnt find nitric, didnt know where to look.lol)
i knew there was a better way. the ferric... gave very cloudy results.
i`ve just broke all the rules and made a meteorite blade.(yeah i know iron isnt the best choice.lol). box elder handle, died 2 colors and stabilized. nickle silver bolster and butt. i just want to finish this off right. thanks for the help.
150kid
 
im having some trouble finding nitric acid in small quantities. lots of people want to sell me $200 dollars worth of lab. grade nitric. but i dont need that much. any leads would be appreciated. i live in london ontario. the closer the better. thanks!
 
As I mentioned before, I bought a small quantity from a print maker artist. These are the guys who do engravings and etchings on copper plate. they mostly use ferric chloride but some use nitric. Check the phone books, look for print shops or check with local art galleries and ask if there are any directories or if they know of print makers. BOB
 
Hi Bob T, good to see you posting more lately.
I sent off an email to you but don't know if
it made the trip, the email was given by Neil,
Let me know if you did receive it? regarding one
of your folders.
Thanks,
G2
 
every art supply, gallery, print shop, print supply, paint stores, hardware stores, pharmacey, and chemical company in the yellow pages.(here in london) i can find it in large amounts of lab grade. but its very expensive.lol guess what i just got? while i was typing this i just got a call back. found a 500ml bottle of lab grade. for $60 can. this is the best deal so far, so i should have some extra on hand(if any body needs some) thanks guys i`ll post pics on mon when i pick it up.
150kid- by the way. i collect/moddify 1950-70 crosman 150, 22 cal pellet guns. hence the handle-150kid
 
Go to your local chemical company and ask. I used to work for Belle Applications Corp., and we had nitric acid on hand about all the time. The local pawn shops use a small bottle of it to test for gold. Those fellows might have a lead, also. The nitric acid is usually handled in stainless drums and there is a $200 deposit on each drum. This ensures the drums get returned. The returned drums we received always contained anywhere from a pint to a quart left in each one. My pawnowner buddies received their new supply from me, free. If you approach the chemical companies and explain, you may get your acid that would normally be destroyed, for free or very few $. Remember to have a container that the acid won't eat it's way through. What was all that nitric used for here? A blue cheese plant not far from here in Nauvoo, Illinois siphoned the acid into the blue cheese to give the cheese that kind of "bite" flavor.
 
How much is meteorite? I've heard it's horrendously expensive.
Also, how good is it at edgeholding and hardness?
 
i bought a 1/8 x 1" x 3 1/2" piece for $150 canadian. it sucks at holding an edge and is 92% iron 7% nickle (widsmanstatten pattern).
more for a show piece. but it sure looks out of this world! lol
150kid
 
I think it needs to be made clear that meteorite IS NOT A BLADE STEEL, and never will be. It is purely a "decorative" metal, suitable for bolsters, inlays, etc.

One has to etch and treat it carefully to obtain a good contrast, and be aware that it can rust at the drop of a hat!

Bob-T, yes, Des Horn does excellent work on his meteorite folders. He spends a great deal of time and effort on getting the finish & etching right, and also sourcing the best possible meteorite (Gibeon) free from inclusions and pitting. The end justifies the means.

Regards, HILTON
 
Nitric is used as a sample preservative in environmental water sampling and there are almost always prepreserved water sample bottles left over after projects with a few ml of acid in each or ampules of acid for those that don't like the pre-preserved bottles. Check for environmental labs or sampling companies in your area and tell them you are willing to take the odd preservative off their hands (dribs and drabs of lots cost money to dispose of and they may be willing to "donate" it to you as a resource).


As a last resort contact me and I'll try to help.

BTW - the 5% nitric 95% anhydrous alcohol mixture wiped onto the surface was what we used to produce polished sections of NiFe meteorite for lab when I was a student.
 
Hilton: I have always admired Des Horn's work and a great guy too.
Gary, I don't recall an e-mail from you, re-send if possible. BOB
 
Originally posted by bobterzuola
...Gary, I don't recall an e-mail from you, re-send if possible. BOB
Click to expand...

Hi Bob, I used an email address from Neil, must not have worked, but the situation has solved itself so no need, but thanks sir!
G2
 
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