Electroetching Argentium & Sterling SIlver and Copper/Brass (CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP And ECO FRIENDLY!)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ต.ค. 2024
- If you want to explore etching (creating detailed designs in metals using a chemical reaction) on the cheap then continue watching. In this multi-part series I will show you how to build yourself an electroetching rectifier, the tools and other equipment you need as well as the chemicals and miscellaneous supplies. This first part only gives you a high level view of what you will need or need to make in order to start etching. Additional series will including building your rectifier, design transfer (probably the most challenging part), setting up an etch, the etching process and completion and finishing. My apologies in advance for the camera angles, I am using a hat cam and I see I need to tilt it down a lot more. I will do better on the photography when it comes to the demonstration. In the meantime, start scouring the internet for black and white images that catch your eye and start sourcing out suppliers for your chemicals and you will be on your way!
Hi and welcome back to this multi part series. This is just a quick video to get your appetite whetted in starting electro etching which is a lot of fun and allows a whole new level of creativity. Electroetching means you can do Champleve enamel and if you’re like me and you suck at using a Graver, electroetching does the hard work for you. I also cover what to buy and what not to buy. There are ready to go Electroetching units out there but for your average at home studio jeweler this home made unit does the trick. I believe in sharing knowledge without a price tag and believe in raising consumer awareness especially in the overinflated cost for supplies and equipment. Enjoy!
best bitumen diluted a bit in gasoline, paint over, dry and scratch the pattern, letters, it is possible under a microscope, and etch ....
@SuperDutchman59 That would work great for lettering and simple designs or if a person is an artist (I can draw stick figures). Bitumen is the waste from oil refining I’m thinking? Doesn’t the gasoline smell?
So the design has to be laser printed? I just bought an inkjet thinking it would be fine...
@Marian The ink from the inkjet won’t adhere, it’ll wash away. The laser toner is different, it adheres with heat. Take your designs to a copier store like Home Depot or Staples and have them print it for you on glossy photo paper. If you have a Cricut or Silhouette cutter you can use die cut stickers which are even more superior. It’s what I use now since discovering the Silhouette die cutter.
I have recently looked into the silhouette and it looks like it can do very tiny cuts, which is what I’m interested in. Thank you for the info, I really appreciate it.
@@marian1576 Sorry you bought the wrong printer! Hopefully the ink jet will get used. I end up buying a new one everytime the cartridges need to be replaced, they’re so expensive. I bought one a few years ago because the cartridges were only $14 to replace. They are now over $60 because the printer is already obsolete. Not worth it. I can do fairly detailed line work with the Silhouette, the only downfall is the weeding (picking out the parts that need to be removed for it to etch), but the application, adherence and etching is superior because with the laser toner or even PnP resist, it breaks down. With the Silhouette stickers, the only thing you need to watch for is undercutting. Something about the process just makes the stickers even stickier so having them come off is not an issue. I like using red Tuck tape (you can get that from the hardware store) for protecting the back of the piece being etched. It’s super sticky even when wet.
@Marian Also another recommendation if getting a Silhouette. The weeding pick that comes with or bought separately is next to useless, the tip is not very sharp and too thick. Buy some inexpensive dental tools from eBay, less than the cost of the weeding tool and a few other useless but expensive items in the kit. I like a 12” Olfa paper cutter for cutting vinyl sheet because you’re guarenteed a straight line instead of the cheap envelope opener in theirs. A fine tip pair of tweezers is also very handy for grabbing tiny pieces of vinyl.
I just checked on Amazon; Lott’s of options for copper sulfate, only one very expensive ($50) copper nitrate? And is the photo paper Matte or Gloss?
@Kathy Bradbury Sorry for the delay in answering, I haven’t been active on this channel for a long time. Just go with the cheapest copper sulphate used for tree root removal. Photo paper is glossy, it needs that film. I am now using a Cameo Silhouettte die cutter and sticking die cut labels on my etching projects. Works really well.
best bitumen diluted a bit in gasoline, paint over, dry and scratch the pattern, letters, it is possible under a microscope, and etch ....
@SuperDutchman59 Yes, considering that we all have a microscope laying around.