Etched enclosures

[lmorse]

Hi All,
I wanted to share my new box. Not only is it my first etched enclosure, it's my first stomp box, and also my first ever electronics project. I know its rough around the edges, and nowhere near up to the standard of what I have been seeing on the forum, but I am happy with what I have done. I also etched the PCB myself. Its a Fuzz Face with a few minor tweaks, a trim for biasing, drawdown resistor, polarity protection etc.

I etched with ferric chloride and had a bit of a journey of discovery: I decided to use the gravity\sponge method because I have seen a lot of people have great results with that. So I drizzled, dabbed, wiped and re-drizzled with room temperature ferric. After 30 minutes there were lots of pin-head size bubbles, but relatively little etching. Stage 2: I decided to warm up the ferric by sitting my container in a bath of boiled water. I repeated the above for a further 25 minutes with similar results. So then I decided to dunk the whole thing in the mixture and constantly agitate. After about 15 minutes I started to see some aggressive, patchy etching and continued. All-in-all the whole process took 1hour and 20. As you can see there are plenty of areas where the etch ate through the resist.

I think that my original mistake with the sponge was that I was leaving the ferric to stand on the surface too long in-between wipes, and I should have been constantly wiping and re-applying. Next box (a germanium Big Muff Pi that I have successfully breadboarded and added a few of my own tweaks - switchable caps before the last stage for a heavy bass boom, and switchable 3 stage clipping) I will try the sponge method again, but be a bit more enthusiastic with my wiping and re-applying (unless you think that is a bad idea?)

I'd like to find a way to get rid of the oxidation in the small pits.




I'd like to thank the following people for all their invaluable help in seeing me through my first ever build: Duck_Arse, Mac, Slade, Deadastronaut, LucifersTrip, pinkjimiphoton, Electric Warrior, PRR, GibsonGM (sorry if I have missed anyone out).

I'll make no apologies for posting this up on the Pictures! thread too when I get time, because I am chuffed as punch with my results!

[bluebunny]

. . . because I am chuffed as punch with my results!

Quite right too!   

[peterg]

. . . because I am chuffed as punch with my results!

Quite right too!   

+1. gotta see the guts though!

[duck_arse]

guts, yer.

a pastry brush is about right for shifting the gunked ferric while etching.

[Pettol]

I'd like to find a way to get rid of the oxidation in the small pits.

Really nice box!

If you etch with NaOH you won't have the problem with the black oxidation. To get rid of it from a box already etched with acid I would apply 50% NaOH on the problem area for about 30 sec or so followed by machine polishing using polishing compound.

[hylandren]

....I etched with ferric chloride...As you can see there are plenty of areas where the etch ate through the resist...I will try the sponge method again, but be a bit more enthusiastic with my wiping and re-applying (unless you think that is a bad idea?)...
I'd like to find a way to get rid of the oxidation in the small pits.

GREAT first effort! but yeah, you need to add a gutshot...

I etch with FeCl3 (Ferric Chloride) as well.
On the places it ate through your resist, if you are using FeCl3 as etchant, you might want to consider going over the areas you don't want etched with nail polish. Since I started doing that, I never get any of those annoying little pits or any accidental etching in places where its not supposed to be. They're pretty much clean as a whistle.

Yes,heating (and sometimes re-heating) FeCl3 makes it etch a lot better.
As for agitating the etchant, I too tried the brush/sponging/dabbing method, but it didn't work well for me. Most of the guys who get such great results with dabbing/sponging/brushing don't use Ferric Chloride. The dabbing/brushing method Seems to allow Ferric chloride to cool off too much. If FeCl3 stays all together in the container it stays warmer longer, which is key to ferric chloride.

This guy uses Ferric Chloride and gets amazing results, using HP Glossy Presentation Paper and a little different agitation technique. I had been using PNP, but tried his agitation technique and the HP Glossy Presentation Paper and couldn't believe the improvement in my etches the very first time, especially in the fine details, edge sharpness and small print:

http://music.codydeschenes.com/?page_id=2035

Hope this helps on your next one.

[lmorse]

 
Thanks or the feedback. I have just left for work (I work away for 8 days, then home for 6, every two weeks) so can't do a gut shot until I return next week.

Oooh the suspense! 

[threepwood]

My take on Deadastronaut's Chasm reverb. Not very precise etch wise but I think the grungyness adds to the theme.

[lmorse]

Looks great!

[joeowens994]

Hi Everyone!

First time poster but a long time lurker. I was inspired by all of the awesome etching that was posted in this thread, and I figured I should give it a go. I kept the design nice and simple, and used this tutorial: http://diy-guitar-effects.tumblr.com/etching. Anyways, here's my first etched enclosure after a clear coat:



Overall I think it turned out pretty good but I need to be more careful masking the edges I think. The effect itself is Anchovie's Noise Ensemble, which you can find on the forums.

I've got some tips for fellow Australians in terms of sourcing goods to do it yourself. Firstly, I used Colour Copy Glossy Laser Paper from Officeworks to print on, using a Brother DCP-1510 laser printer. I got acetone from Bunnings, and the Caustic Soda from Coles (Bunnings have it cheaper but they were out of stock for me). Then I just use enamel spray paint from Super Cheap Auto to spray over the etch and sand it back using 2000 grit sandpaper also available from Super Cheap. So between Officeworks, Super Cheap, and Bunnings, you should be able to find everything you need.

[lmorse]

Cool box Joe.

I got my enamel from Masters. Will look in Coles for Caustic Soda!

[deadastronaut]

finished my latest chasm reverb ... the 'CELTIC CHASM'

[peterg]

Looks great Rob. Is that an Eddystone box?

[deadastronaut]

cheers man, yep eddystone...

[Hexjibber]

finished my latest chasm reverb ... the 'CELTIC CHASM'

That looks sick Rob, exemplary work as always!

[deadastronaut]

cheers graham...

[duck_arse]

it screams "led zep!" at me. but in a good way. nice work, as ever rob, he said through gritted teeth ....

[Hexjibber]

How do!

My latest is a Tonebender MKIII, loving the sound this kicks out!

Cans are 2N404, Fuzz Dog board with onboard inverter. Box etched with NaOH and some groovy retro themed art!









I also gave my Micro POG a new coat!



Cheers!
Graham

[Pettol]

Amazing work, Rob and Graham!

Oh, the itch. So little time these days...

[deadastronaut]

Love the bender....