Etched enclosures

[mremic01]

Dumb question - it's not a good idea to use inkjet photo paper, right? I've been using some glossy laser paper, but I still have to scrape it out of the trances.. 

I use inkjet paper exclusively. Walgreen's brand is the one I've had the most luck with. I guess the inkjet paper doesn't let the toner fuse to it as well as laser printer paper, so it comes off onto the copper/aluminum better.

[Flaconsius]

Another BB Preamp with clipping Switches.
I Won´t do another for a while... 

[WyndBalduram]

Has anyone ever considered, after prepping, pre-heating the enclosure in an oven and applying the toner transfer using a rubber brayer / hand roller?

I have tried heating the enclosure up in the oven and then using an iron to apply the transfer and it worked better than using just the iron by itself.  You have to be precise when initially applying the transfer, but it seems to work slightly better than just an iron alone.  It does seem like a clothes iron is unreliable when trying to distritube the necessary heat and pressure in order to properly transfer toner to a medium.  At least this has been my experience with both copper clad and enclosures.

I have used pcbfx's toner transfer method (using their toner transfer paper and their recommended laminator) for transfering toner to copper clad, and it worked AMAZINGLY.  No fuss, no muss, done in 10 minutes.  Their toner transfer paper works way better than magazine paper and I assume press n peel blue (though I have never used it).

I have been wondering how well their toner transfer paper would work with transferring toner to an enclosure, but I have not had an opportunity to try it.

What I am thinking is that, by preheating the enclosure in an oven, carefully applying the pcbfx toner transfer and the using a rubber brayer or hand roller to roll the transfer onto the top of the enclosure, one would be able to apply the necessary amount of pressure needed to easily adhere the toner to the enclosure. 

Anyone have any idea if this may work or not?

[electrosonic]

I bought a cheap cast iron pan from ikea. I heat up the enclosure face down in the pan with the press and peel in between the pan and the enclosure. I put a digital kitchen thermometer sensor inside the enclosure and turn the stove on low. When the temperature gets to 300F, I flip the enclosure over in the pan go over the press n peel a few times with a roller before running the enclosure under cold water. Works well as long as I take care with the usual prep - good sanding and cleaning.

Andrew.

[therealfindo]

Can you guess what this is?




I reworked an older box (hence the odd drilling layout)
My first attempt at a reverse etch.. not particularly successful, largely because the Molotow pends I used to draw the design just didn't stay once the etchant got going.. but it's a liveable result.

[garcho]

^   orange squeezer!

I guess being originally designed as an "always on" effect forgives having a foot switch 1cm away from the only control knob. 

[therealfindo]

Right! 

[deadastronaut]

One knob dr boogie....i win

[Insanekane]

Another etch...
It's a MBP project Kingslayer. Pretty cool modded klon kind of od.

[deadastronaut]

Cute bear, cool etch man...

@flalconius , nice, mayan design?...i did something similar...

[Jdansti]

Cute bear, cool etch man...

@flalconius , nice, mayan design?...i did something similar...

Worthy of a Sonic Death Ray Phaser

[deadastronaut]

 

[wildebelor]

Hey everyone - first post so I should introduce myself too!

My name is Nic and I too, am a pedal addict.
Contrary to my current rig setup (SG straight into a trace elliott speed twin) - I've always loved pedals and just recently was bitten by the pedal bug.

I was building a tone bender MK1 in a wooden enclosure for my father and whilst I was waiting for the parts to arrive I got bored and wanted to build some stuff for myself.

I'll post some images of the etches I have done!


1st pedal and etch I ever completed - Bazz Fuss circuit with a vishnu image.



It came out ok but I didn't agitate it enough.

I then built this Fuzz Face variation (still have to tweak the knobs), but the etch came out better and much deeper!





That hand with the bell jar is an image I drew for the book I just published - realised it fits perfectly!

This is the latest - Tonebender variant of some kind hehe





The orange enclosure used PNP and the others I used inkjet paper!

Thanks for all the inspiration!


Nic

[Mustachio]

Welcome to the forum Nic! Great etches man, your already a pro! Looking forward to your future projects. And congrats on the book!

[wildebelor]

Thanks for the welcome! Still have a lot to learn about pedals / electronics - but I'm really digging it so far!

[poppyman]

Hey Nic, I really like the style of your etched pedals! Can't wait to see the next ones...Keep up with the great work

[deadastronaut]

Hi. Nick...nice rustic style. Welcome to your addiction.

[therealfindo]

Really happy with this reverse etch for my 'Aslan' drive:



Used this image.

[deadastronaut]

^ nice, thats like its been placed on top...

[wildebelor]

Been toying with the idea of etching the design like regular, then rusting the surface, then block sanding so the etch comes through.
I just don't really want to buy anymore chemicals you know? (apparently hydrogen peroxide is the go if I recall correctly)

Anyone have any experience with somewhat controlled rusting?