Etched enclosures

[deadastronaut]

Nice pedal man. Love the Art Deco style of it. 

+1 cool style..

that NaoH stuff seems to leave the surface spotless...

[Pettol]

Thanks a lot!

Yes, bases gives a lot smoother surface than acids. Still there are some irregularities and pits (I think you can see it in the picture). But I guess I have to live with it.

[italianguy63]

Great work guys!

Borat-- Love the "For Those About to Rock"  AC/DC cannon!  (My 2nd ever concert!).  My 1st was REO Speedwagon-- PLEASE don't tell anyone.

MC

[edy_wheazel]

edy_wheazel - Thanks. How did you remove all the carbon from the etch surface? Did you use the same process that Pettol noted?

Actualy, my method is different. After I prepare the box (sanding and cleaning):
1 -  I covered the surface with paper adhesive tape, this kind: http://renovari-amenajari.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/banda_adeziva_hartie3.jpg  It's regular usage is to protect surfaces when you paint, it's very cheap.
2 -  I either draw the design on the tape by hand, or I print it on a regular paper and put the printed paper on top of the tape.
3 -  With a very sharp scalpel I cut and remove the paper from the areas that need etching. The removal is very clean (the paper tape is specialy designed for that and doesn't leave any "dirt")
4 - For etching I make some boundaries with my kid's "silly putty" (plasticine). I do that because I don't want to submerge the entire box in FeCl3.
5 - I pour the secon hand FeCl3 (actualy third, or fourth hand) in those silly putty boundaries. After 15/20 minutes I change the FeCl3 and I let it another 15/20 minutes.
6 - That's it. Take down the silly putty, the paper tape and wash the box. Take pictures and post them on the internet. Have fun.

This methode doesn't involve a printer (if you draw the design by hand) and it's very clean. The only problem is the painstakingly scalpel-cutting operation, but for simple designs it's preferable.

[Hexjibber]

Hey all,

Customer request for an OCD (v3). This one was a milestone of sorts for me as I did all the artwork in Illustrator from scratch as opposed to my usual method of er, 're-purposing' bits and bobs found on the Googleweb!

Box etched with NaOH as per norm, the detailing was a bit fiddly but I got there, customer is very pleased so it's a win!

Pics..

[deadastronaut]

beauty....looks great man..

[Hexjibber]

beauty....looks great man..

Cheers Rob!

[davent]

Amazing work and design, unpecedented!

When drilling it out, how is it getting the drillbit to start clean into the raised crosshairs? Would it be easier if that detail were reversed?
dave

[Pettol]

Beautiful Hex.

[Hexjibber]

Amazing work and design, unpecedented!

When drilling it out, how is it getting the drillbit to start clean into the raised crosshairs? Would it be easier if that detail were reversed?
dave

Thanks man!

You're quite right about the crosshairs, I normally have them in reverse but once I added the paint layer with this one it was easy enough to just use a centrepunch to start me off

[wildebelor]

best etches around graham!

[noobamp]

that is just exquisite work man! a little frustrating actually.....one day....

[naturlecso]

Hi guys,

This is my first pedal with my first etch. It is a slightly modified Lotus Pedals Snowjob. I hope you like it 

[deadastronaut]

2 firsts...

[vigilante397]

Hi guys,

This is my first pedal with my first etch. It is a slightly modified Lotus Pedals Snowjob. I hope you like it 

I love the Snowjob. What kind of mods did you do? Gutshot...? 

Great-looking build.

[threepwood]

that is just exquisite work man! a little frustrating actually.....one day....

Incredible. How do you get it so clean? Please share your magic!

[wildebelor]

He has shared it! 

http://diy-guitar-effects.tumblr.com/etching

[eddiebeer]

Incredible! I just may muster up some courage to try this one day

[Hexjibber]

He has shared it! 

http://diy-guitar-effects.tumblr.com/etching

Cheers Nick! Yes, still using the method as detailed in my tutorial, seems to work for me (almost) every time so I haven't deviated!

Happy to answer questions about etching as always if anyone is curious enough to give it a first try, plenty of other skilled and knowledgeable chaps on this forum too!

[naturlecso]

I love the Snowjob. What kind of mods did you do? Gutshot...? 

Great-looking build.

I've just raised the input cap, so it is better with bass.
It's a little messy