Etching Metal

[shadow57]

Metal Etching.

Here is a simple DIY way to etch metal.

Firstly you will need the following items.

1.PP9 9 volt battery.
2.Battery connector.
3.2 Crocodile clips.
4.Cotton buds
5.Table salt
6.Water
7.Plastic bottle top.
8.Nail varnish
9.Needle

Method.

1.Clean metal surface, degrease, and leave to dry
2.Put a thin coat of nail varnish onto the metal surface and let it dry.
3.Place some salt and water into the plastic lid.
4.Connect the Positive (Red) battery lead to the metal with the crocodile clip.
5.Connect the Negative (Black) lead to the cotton bud with the crocodile clip.
6.Gently scratch the pattern onto the metal surface using a needle.
7.Dip the cotton bud into the salt water, then gently wipe the scratched surface with the wet cotton bud.

Note: The crocodile clip on the cotton bud must touch the wet bud. The cotton bud will start to go black as metal is removed


SAFETY NOTE...Chlorine gas is given off during the reaction...so some ventilation is required

The final result when all the varnish is removed is...

 

[Ogri the trog]

Now that opens up some possibilities.

Rep points imminent

Ogri the trog

 

[shadow57]

I think I should have put this thread in the Sharp Tools forum Ed....Any chance of moving it please thanks John

 

[Ogri the trog]

I think I should have put this thread in the Sharp Tools forum Ed....Any chance of moving it please thanks John

I'm not so sure Shadow57 (though I don't want to influence a descision).
There are many metalic items that could be etched, not just knives.

ATB

Ogri the trog

 

[shadow57]

That's true Ogri, so I'm happy to leave it

But the main idea was to etch steel (iron).

If you apply the technique to other metals such as Titanium, Tin, Silver or Copper The process will need to be modified slightly.

Some of the goo (salts) that are produced at the electrodes may be harmful to humans...I,m not sure

The gas that is given of when you use the above process is chlorine...used during World War 1.

Although there is only a small amount... it still makes me wheeze a bit

Thanks John ..... Cough.. Cough

 

[Infragreen]

SWEET!
:You_Rock_

 

[Ketchup]

Is there an alternative to nail varnish? What is the active component of the varnish that seals off the metal?
There ought to be cheaper sources for it, other than those super expenive cosmetics.

 

[Ogri the trog]

Ketchup,
I think the idea of the nail varnish is as a "resist", which is a "skin" between the metal and the electrolite solution. This allows the pattern to be etched, only in the shape of which you sctatch through the nail varnish. At a guess, any sort of paint, normal varnish or even wax could be used.

I have yet to try it out though.

Ogri the trog

 

[Platypus]

I would think any type of varnish would do the job, it just has to be an electrical insulator.
The good thing about nail varnish however, is that is very easy to remove.

 

[shadow57]

Any varnish will do e.g. cellulose, shellac, polyurethane, or even a thin layer of araldite maybe super glue..
Wax may be a bit dogey. You may rub some off with the cotton bud and expose more metal.
Nail varnish from the local market costs about £1 a bottle

John

 

[g4ghb]

does the etched metal bit go black by itself or do you 'ink' it after?

 

[Neiltoo]

Excellent - ive been wanting to try to etch something on a blade Ive nearly finished.

How deep does the etch (?) go ?

:You_Rock_

 

[shadow57]

Hello Neiltoo and G4GHB

The etching goes very deep on high carbon steel.... if you keep it going for 5 minutes. you need to change the cotton buds as they get all clogged up with black goo.

The etching reaction makes it black

To get a good job....be careful with the cotton bud not to break off any extra varnish..

I am going to have a go at etching a salmon on a piece of steel. I will send in a photo when its done

OH YES BE CAREFUL WITH THE GAS THAT IS GIVEN OFF ITS CHLORINE GAS

It 's only a small amount but keep it ventilated

 

[shadow57]

I had a go etching my moura knife....it took 10 minutes and did not etch as deep as before...maybe battery is getting weak.
Will need to use 12 volt train transformer next time

 

[JohnC]

Thats pretty impressive... good work

 

[shadow57]

Thanks.... Its nothing special...its just to demonstrate that it works John

 

[Neiltoo]

Looks great - thanks for the info

 

[Lost_Patrol]

Great thread shadow I didn't know it was possible to do etching without professional tools.

Well worth a rep point.

:You_Rock_

 

[Motorbike Man]

Is there an alternative to nail varnish? What is the active component of the varnish that seals off the metal?
There ought to be cheaper sources for it, other than those super expenive cosmetics.

My local market has cheapo nail varnish at 25p a bottle. I bought some today to give this a whirl

 

[Lost_Patrol]

I tried my first attempt at etching today.....

Its far from perfect but I'm pleased for a first attempt. I think it looks a little better in real life - my pictures make everything look poor !

I used a cheap knife just in case