Etched enclosures

[Pettol]

One way you can keep etchant in the right place is by dabbing it on the areas you want to etch rather than submerging the whole top. Use a Q tip/earbud soaked in etchant and after a few retouches wash away the spent etchant and dab on more may take a bit more time but it's highly more accurate in localizing your etch areas and cutting down on surface area where pin holes may hide.

+1

If you're using NaOH, you need to find some alkali resistant paint for masking (enamel doesn't work).

[radio]

I hope my question is not too off-topic ,but it s related to etchings some 250 years ago.

I was last weekend in the Rembrandt house/Amsterdam ,and he did some remarquable

etchings in those days, but mainly on copper to transfer pictures on paper.

Wouldn't that be a method for us today a bit like silkscreening?

Unfortunatly , no info about the acids.

Thoughts???

Regards JM

[ch1naski]

On the subject of printers....
You think 600x600 dpi is too low of a resolution for etching boxes?
More importantly, pcb's ?

[haveyouseenhim]

I hope my question is not too off-topic ,but it s related to etchings some 250 years ago.

I was last weekend in the Rembrandt house/Amsterdam ,and he did some remarquable

etchings in those days, but mainly on copper to transfer pictures on paper.

Wouldn't that be a method for us today a bit like silkscreening?

Unfortunatly , no info about the acids.

Thoughts???

Regards JM

What they did is coat a sheet of copper with a thin layer of wax and use a fine needle to draw in the wax. by doing this the copper would be exposed where they drew. they would then dip it in an acid to etch where the copper is exposed leaving the drawn image in the copper. Then they take off the wax and cover it with ink and press it to paper.
So its not really like silkscreening. It's more like pressings.

I hope that explains what you were asking about.

[radio]

Thanks for your explanation, Mike !

Regards JM

[defaced]

On the subject of printers....
You think 600x600 dpi is too low of a resolution for etching boxes?
More importantly, pcb's ?

That's fine.  Most artwork isn't even that high resolution. 

[Perrow]

On the subject of printers....
You think 600x600 dpi is too low of a resolution for etching boxes?
More importantly, pcb's ?

That's fine.  Most artwork isn't even that high resolution.  

I use a 300x300 inkjet for PCBs (photo sensitive boards) and they're every bit as detailed as you need for through hole components.

[ch1naski]

I've learned from a couple mistakes, had some great input from you guys, and came close to to a good etch.
I'm really excited to try another. Unfortunately, 11 hour workdays don't leave much time for anything. Hopefully this weekend.

[guitarmageddon]

Codtone Expandra, (Bixonic Expandora)

[Hexjibber]

Codtone Expandra, (Bixonic Expandora)

Nice etch and great choice of graphic for the pedal!

[deadastronaut]

+1 , cool design...

[graylensman]

A question about irons: how harmful to the iron is it to use in the transfer process?

Or, to phrase it in another way: will my housemate know that I've borrowed his iron to make etching transfers, or is it wiser to buy a used on off Craigslist?

[ch1naski]

If you use paper or cloth over the transfer (like I didn't at first), should be ok. Do NOT iron photo paper without something between it and the iron.  Or suffer the consequences, like I did...

My girl is going to be pissed.

[roseblood11]

My girl is going to be pissed.

How did you guess the title of my autobiographie?

[electrosonic]

Between 275 and 325 F, the toner transfers to the enclosure / pcb. 

At something like 375 F the press n peel backing melts, sticking to the iron.

A piece of paper between the iron and the press n peel is cheap insurance.

Andrew.

[ch1naski]

I have another question.
What's the consensus on toner in the etched area, do you leave it on the final finished product? paint over it? remove it and then paint?

Discuss!

[Jdansti]

A question about irons: how harmful to the iron is it to use in the transfer process?

Or, to phrase it in another way: will my housemate know that I've borrowed his iron to make etching transfers, or is it wiser to buy a used on off Craigslist?

If you do happen to get some schmutz on the iron, just make a thick paste out of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and water, and use a paper towel or cloth to scrub the iron with this paste.  Just keep it "pasty" and not too liquid.  When finished, just wipe clean with a damp cloth.  It will leave the iron with a beautiful shiny finish. BTW, this also works well on a lot of other surfaces.

[Mustachio]

Nice tip John! You always have great info man! Gonna check the fridge for some baking soda and try this on a box soon!



Nice Etch on that Expandora! looks great.


Thanks for the info on temps Electro! Will come in handy and good stuff to know!

[guitarmageddon]

Thanks!
Here's a ROG English Channel

[ch1naski]

Mmmm, British boobs.

Nice etch.