MEMBER ITEMS FOR SALE
Custom Knives | Other Knives | General Items
-------------------------------------------
New Posts | New PhotosAll Photos



Go Back   The Knife Network Forums : Knife Making Discussions > Community Discussion Boards > Knife Network Community

Knife Network Community TKN is all about excellence and sharing info. Our 'other' lives are also filled with stories, events, and opinions. This forum is an opportunity to discuss outside interests, personal experience, things that make us happy and things that don't!

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 05-09-2012, 10:48 AM
jeffm jeffm is offline
Registered
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 1
Electrochemical Etching Stainless Steel Problems

Hi, I am new to this forum, but I tried searching previous posts and couldn't find one the fit my question.

I have been trying to use a monode etcher to etch on a stainless steel blade.

I keep getting a brown color at first, then it may darken to black which can then be easily wiped off. It also seems to pick up etched spots color and darken other areas. I first do a deep etch using the dc setting, then fill it in with the a/c setting.

I use a felt pad and switch to a fresh one between dc and ac. I have tried all voltage settings, and do not get a different result. I also use a stainless steel solution bought from McMaster.com.

Is there any idea how I can get a nice clean black mark? I have tried simply putting the pad on for 5 seconds and off for 5 seconds and various other combinations, and also hovering it slightly over the material. I have tried pressing it into the material, lightly touching it, and keeping it just above it. All of this with the same result.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Jeff
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 05-09-2012, 02:55 PM
Richarpo Richarpo is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Niagara Falls NY
Posts: 10
Hi I just sold a monode m-150 for 50 bucks with 3 bottles of electrolyte because I have a marking methods one already but it worked great in tryouts and I got it for next to nothing. My experience only is for that machine so here goes. I tape the stencil down on the blade after cleaning well with acetone. I put electric tape where I didnt want any stray spots although i dont think its necessary. I set the machine on dc at the highest voltage. I soak the wick so it is saturated but not dripping blotting for 10 second intervals for about 50 seconds or a minute this machine took longer thaan my MM one. Switch to ac and repeat. I used an electrolyte for steel that the original owner used to do saw blades it was red and I think it was monode m2 I got a case of it with the machine everything for 5 bucks. You could try a different electrolyte make sure you have enough on the wick but not so it runs out from under the stencil. Check your ground cable and handpad cable making sure it has good continuity.I had a bad cable once that was intermittent and made a lousy mark. I hope this helps Good Luck Rich
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 05-09-2012, 04:19 PM
Richarpo Richarpo is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Niagara Falls NY
Posts: 10
etching

Forgot one thing dont switch wicks between dc and ac ac deposits some of the black stuff on the wick from the previous etch
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 05-09-2012, 07:26 PM
Don Robinson's Avatar
Don Robinson Don Robinson is offline
Hall of Famer
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Brownsville, Texas
Posts: 4,873
Quote:
Originally Posted by Richarpo View Post
Forgot one thing dont switch wicks between dc and ac ac deposits some of the black stuff on the wick from the previous etch

Correct. The black AC etching is deposited by the pad used on DC.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
advice, blade, electrochemical etching, electrochemical marking, etching, knife, material, solutions, stainless steel, steel


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
etching stainless? sleepy The Damascus Forum 7 12-26-2006 12:10 AM
Problems with Home build Etching machine wineland The Newbies Arena 51 03-19-2006 10:09 AM
Electrochemical Etching Article Kevin Miller Tool Time 0 12-16-2003 04:23 PM
etching problems joe41272 The Newbies Arena 1 08-29-2001 05:49 PM
Steel problems BCB27 Fit & Finish 6 08-09-2001 03:06 PM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:49 PM.




KNIFENETWORK.COM
Copyright © 2000
? CKK Industries, Inc. ? All Rights Reserved
Powered by ...

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
The Knife Network : All Rights Reserved