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Fit & Finish Fit and Finish = the difference in "good art" and "fine art." Join in, as we discuss the fine art of finish and embellishment. |
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#1
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How to build??? Variable Voltage Etcher
There appears to be a good bit of information floating around on how to build static or solid state etchers, but I have not found much on how to build one that you can vary the voltage. So, that leads me to my questions.
1) How do you build one to where you can vary the voltage? 2) Is there any reason that a person would need to vary the current? See commercial anodizing unit in Reactive Metals catalogue. I want to build this so that it serves as a dual purpose machine. Etch my mark on the blade and be able to anodize titanium. Thanks for your time. |
#2
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I had a personalizer (at 12 volts)but didn't feel it had enough power. I added the 25 volt transformer from radio shack which gave me 25 volts a/c and 24 dc. To hot, smoked the stencils.
Plugged the whole unit into a dimmer switch and ran it at 18 volts. Just about right. Use a q-tip and hardly have any haze around the finished etch. Take care TJ PS use the Cris Crawford plans __________________ TJ Smith Knifemaker |
#3
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I built mine with some modifications from the crawford unit. I can switch mine from 12v to 24v and either ac or dc. you need a good variac to use for titanium or you can buid one. I have plans to buid one but haven't had the time to do it yet.
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#4
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Bob Warners video is a great one that will help you build a unit to either etch your blade or anodize titanium. Go to his website and purchase you a copy of his DVD, you won't be disappointed. I refer back to mine all the time.
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#5
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TJ and Gilbert,
Thanks for the replies. I have seen the video but was unsure of how useful it would be. I will give it a try. I assume the video shows how to add dimmer switch or a powerwstat.?.? |
#6
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No plans just plug your unit into the dimmer switch as if it were an outlet. Measure the volts output with a voltage meter set volts anywhere you want 16-18 seems best.
if your q-tip or pad starts to bubble lift it. try not to let it bubble. You'll acquire the right touch with practice. Take care TJ __________________ TJ Smith Knifemaker |
#7
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I bought a used Variac years ago and made my own using parts from Radio Shack. Cheap, if you can find a Variac.
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#8
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Hey buddy! How much you paid for that used Variac? I am also thinking to buy one.
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#9
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I also bought years ago and made my own using parts from RadioShack. You can also try yourself.
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#10
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Wow great
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Tags |
anodizing, back, blade, build, ca, crawford, etch, hot, how to, knife, made, titanium, video |
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