Also for etching on a budget a car battery, or car battery charger is perfect. If you want you can get a variable dial knob and wire it in yourself for a few cents from any electronics shop. Drill a hole on the front and pop it through if you want to keep it looking neat and tidy. Save yourself a ridiculously overpriced version of exactly the same thing. If something is 'made for X' and if X is rarer than car batteries then you're going to pay a stupid overpriced fee on top.
bashpr0mpt sure I know a few guys who make there own that way. I am not great with electrics so bought this many years ago and it’s paid for its self 10 times over but certainly for someone who knows how to do it safely that’s a great idea. 👍
Taping the edge is essential - you shouldn't be touching or folding or manipulating the stencil, every fold or bend is reducing the amount of uses by 25-50 etches. D:
You certainly can use brine to etch but you will still have to neutralise that on most steels as the salt will still rust the steel especially in the deep etch. 👍
Well glad you enjoyed the video. Well I know a lot of guys in the states use a guy called Ernie if you Google Blue Lightning stencils you should find him. Hope that helps cheers Ben
If the electrolyte is infact just salt water. It doesn't need neutralizing. Salt is ph neutral and all you need to do is dilute, and wash the salt away with water. Windex is 95% water, thats likely what is doing the trick for you.
Thank you for your time, very good video a lot of good information like the double hit to get the black color. The care of the stencil is so important. I started in 1993 and some of the stencils are still useable today just use them a few times but they still work.
Great stuff glad you enjoyed it. I agree cleaning the stencils after Christmas Acc use makes them last a long time. It’s almost the rust if the steel removed that wrecks them. All the best cheers Ben
Great job, sir, but I have a question. I tried with the water and salt solution, but the engraving site has some freckles and pitting. What can you do? Can you help me?
Well the etching machine is from USA knifemaker and the stencils are made by Ostling I’ll try and get some Links added to the description for you. Cheers Ben
Thanks for the video, very helpful. Do not want to sound like a wiseguy as I have never etched before, but what you called "ground" is actually the positive (+) of the power supply, hence the color red and the "real" ground, minus (-) goes to the marker. Since electricity does actually flow from the Negative to the Positive, you are kinda still correct to call it "ground". Of course when in AC mode, you have alternating current, in which case it would not matter which way the wires are connected but in DC mode it will matter. If I do not get it all wrong that is. Since I am just starting out with knife making, just as a hobby, after building my own 2x72" belt grinder, and since I do like to put logo's and my name on my PCB designs, I will definitely try etching, and again since I have a background in electronics, I will build my own power supply and your tip with just using cotton with an alligator clip, made it even simpler. Anyway, sorry for the long comment.
@@iHayri1 You have the attitude of an entitled American, one that thinks that they know it all, one that thinks everyone should listen to what they say. You've had no likes or comments in 7 months.
Nice tip, i have had the same uneven etch with the carbon head as well. Whats the company that you get your stencils from again please? Thanks for the video.
@@BenOrford i saw a text 07.03.97 if im not wrong, on that knife, so small, its like 2milimeters. if i do etching for that size (the text) using vinyl and processed like in the video, would it be perfect, precision, and nice ? or because it too small, so it can fail?
@@rio-bf9dh I would practice the small letter a lot first on scrap steel before doing a blade. It can go wrong but if you follow the video tips you should be ok. Best of luck 🤞
Well I think I mentioned the no. I set the dial. That sets the voltage and I don’t change the polarity just flip it from AC to DC to make the dark oxide mark. Hope that helps cheers Ben
Also for etching on a budget a car battery, or car battery charger is perfect. If you want you can get a variable dial knob and wire it in yourself for a few cents from any electronics shop. Drill a hole on the front and pop it through if you want to keep it looking neat and tidy. Save yourself a ridiculously overpriced version of exactly the same thing. If something is 'made for X' and if X is rarer than car batteries then you're going to pay a stupid overpriced fee on top.
bashpr0mpt sure I know a few guys who make there own that way. I am not great with electrics so bought this many years ago and it’s paid for its self 10 times over but certainly for someone who knows how to do it safely that’s a great idea. 👍
Great job 👌👌
Can you give me more details of the stencils you use? Or the name of the company?
Thank you so much.
Best regards
company is ostling etchmatk ltd
Nice one Ben, by far the best video I've ever seen on etching logos. Thanks for sharing 🐻👍
Taping the edge is essential - you shouldn't be touching or folding or manipulating the stencil, every fold or bend is reducing the amount of uses by 25-50 etches. D:
If you're a real big cheapskate like me you can basically do this with a battery and just salt water.
Brilliant tip Ben, I’ve been struggling with intermittent etching with my personaliser plus unit. I’ll take the carbon block off and try your method.
Andy Brocklehurst great hope it helps
why not use old school brine solution as electrolyte
this way you wound have to care much about any steel and neutralizing it afterwards.
You certainly can use brine to etch but you will still have to neutralise that on most steels as the salt will still rust the steel especially in the deep etch.
👍
I see some one asked if this would work with brass, with no reply. Will this work with other metals like copper and brass?
I think if the material you are using is conductive it should work.
You might need a different etchant but should be doable 👍
Awesome video. Very comprehensive. Thanks for taking the time Ben.
So good! Thank you Ben🤙🏼
…any links to stencil resource in the states?
Well glad you enjoyed the video. Well I know a lot of guys in the states use a guy called Ernie if you Google Blue Lightning stencils you should find him.
Hope that helps
cheers Ben
If the electrolyte is infact just salt water. It doesn't need neutralizing. Salt is ph neutral and all you need to do is dilute, and wash the salt away with water. Windex is 95% water, thats likely what is doing the trick for you.
U should not use AC current
best etch tutorial around! thx!
Thank you for your time, very good video a lot of good information like the double hit to get the black color. The care of the stencil is so important. I started in 1993 and some of the stencils are still useable today just use them a few times but they still work.
Great stuff glad you enjoyed it. I agree cleaning the stencils after Christmas Acc use makes them last a long time. It’s almost the rust if the steel removed that wrecks them. All the best cheers Ben
Really interesting! Thanks.
Excellent demonstartion Ben, thank you.
Andy, Jersey UK
Glad you found it useful 👍
Thank You I really learned something new Cheers
Brilliant that’s good to hear
What material is the template made of and what did you clean it with?
Not sure what it is but it’s what you will get from most professional stencil makers.
I clean it with windex or something like that. 👍
Great job, sir, but I have a question. I tried with the water and salt solution, but the engraving site has some freckles and pitting. What can you do? Can you help me?
Dear friend, I don't know much about electricity. I want to know the name of the machine and where to buy it.
Please post links for the products you are using.
Well the etching machine is from USA knifemaker and the stencils are made by Ostling I’ll try and get some
Links added to the description for you.
Cheers Ben
@@BenOrford No links yet?
Thanks for the video, very helpful. Do not want to sound like a wiseguy as I have never etched before, but what you called "ground" is actually the positive (+) of the power supply, hence the color red and the "real" ground, minus (-) goes to the marker. Since electricity does actually flow from the Negative to the Positive, you are kinda still correct to call it "ground". Of course when in AC mode, you have alternating current, in which case it would not matter which way the wires are connected but in DC mode it will matter. If I do not get it all wrong that is. Since I am just starting out with knife making, just as a hobby, after building my own 2x72" belt grinder, and since I do like to put logo's and my name on my PCB designs, I will definitely try etching, and again since I have a background in electronics, I will build my own power supply and your tip with just using cotton with an alligator clip, made it even simpler. Anyway, sorry for the long comment.
Let me guess, you're an American, am I right?
@@ruzziasht349 Why, because I write in English? And no, you are way wrong, I am Turkish!
@@iHayri1 You have the attitude of an entitled American, one that thinks that they know it all, one that thinks everyone should listen to what they say. You've had no likes or comments in 7 months.
Thanks
Great vídeo!
Brilliant video thank you so much for sharing
amazing, would it work better in brass since it would be less dense than steel?
Thanks so much for the video, clear and easily understood. Where/who do you get the electrolite from?
excellent video thank you cant wait to get my new stencils and try out my etching macine
Fantastic ...What are the stencils made from?
Thanks Ben, just getting started so very helpful 👍🏻
We’re did you get the hard stincels ?
Great video. Thank you.
Nice tip, i have had the same uneven etch with the carbon head as well.
Whats the company that you get your stencils from again please?
Thanks for the video.
DiesInEveryFilm Customs great glad that’s helped. No problem check out Ostling they are in the UK and good quality stencils
Many thanks
cheers Ben
Ben & Lois Orford yeh they look perfect quality ill give them a shout and tell them you recommend 👍🏼
what is that sticker (logo) & how we can print
Good stuff man!!
Great stuff glad it helped 👍
was it save? when your finger touch the metal and wire
Sure not really a problem. Once I got a slight tingle in my finger but not enough voltage to hurt 👍
@@BenOrford i saw a text 07.03.97 if im not wrong, on that knife, so small, its like 2milimeters. if i do etching for that size (the text) using vinyl and processed like in the video, would it be perfect, precision, and nice ?
or because it too small, so it can fail?
@@rio-bf9dh I would practice the small letter a lot first on scrap steel before doing a blade. It can go wrong but if you follow the video tips you should be ok.
Best of luck 🤞
@@BenOrford please, add or insert subtittle indonesia on this video, because my english still too bad. im not really what i heard
@@BenOrford can i just using square battery for power supply?
You don't say about the voltage and polarity when you use dc....
Well I think I mentioned the no. I set the dial. That sets the voltage and I don’t change the polarity just flip it from AC to DC to make the dark oxide mark. Hope that helps cheers Ben
Thank you for sharing!
What type of tape do you use
good good good got it all
How make logo on tap...?
Great info Ben thanks for sharing it👍
Nice one.
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏👌👌👌🌹
Can you etch hardened knives?
Yes of course!
Ben when you stamp your logo how do you stop it deforming the other side?
jay r we will do another video on stamping logos I have a totally different set up for that. Maybe in a few weeks time. Keep a eye on the channel 👍
@@BenOrford excellent. Cheers Ben