Sir I had to write and say THANK YoU. I'm a stained glass artist and I've been designing a set of double doors for a client and the door knob plates have been driving me mad because I know what I want and no body makes them. Now thanks to you I will tig weld the plates and then etch the glass design onto the plates. I have gun blue and lots of sea salt. I just became a happy subscriber. Walk with God.
Your presentation from start to finish was the best etching video / class I have come across, you used layman terms so everybody would understand and took the time to explain everything including safety. thanks for the video and again excellent job in presentation
You are very welcome itt akes a good teacher to get people involved in anything they pursue people get bored ,uninterested ,or angry because they don't understand or the presentation or speech does not set well with the student a great teacher is everything again amazing job
A stick welder makes a great alternative to a battery charger, I've been using my inverter welder to deep etch stainless and it works great. I mix a strong salt and copper sulphate solution and a splash of hydrochloric acid for s/steel, that works well with brass too, nice deep etch within 6-8 mins.
@@PercyJackson93they probably used what they had laying around, got great results, and wanted to share. I'm going to try this too because if I can be more efficient at something, I'd like to try it.
@@mixedmediaartgirl300 I gave this a go myself a while back. I tried a few methods. The only two methods I'll use again will be printing out my design and tracing onto the metal with the inked transfer paper, forgot what it's called. I'd have a baked on etching ground called BIG, comes in a small tube, you don't need much at all. Or if not using that I found cutting out the design on electrical tape worked very well but spray paint like he uses in these videos never worked unless your only going to put a small stain on the metal. Using my method you'll get a good mm or 2 recess. My mistakes learning was taking the tape of too early
@@PercyJackson93 Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. That big etching ground seems like a great product!! I'll order some and try it out. Thanks
Wow. What fantastic gifts you can make with this technique. You don't even have to tell anybody how simple it is (though I see that intricate designs are time consuming). Love it very much. So I'll have to get my grandson to help granny make some Christmas gift-keepsakes of love. Lol, you remind me of the star of the TV show, Bones.
I've used method 2 for smaller projects using a plastic Chinese food container and a 9v battery. Works great on everything from altoid tins to washers (great for prop coins and trinkets)
I deep metal etch tooling plates, and I found a NOCO genius 10 works. It’s a modern battery charger that has a constant power mode that acts like a old school battery charger. Remember all safety precautions must be taken.
Nice video. I would suggest using baking soda instead of salt. With baking soda, the electrolysis doesn't produce potentially lethal chlorine gas. Also, Perma Blue needs a dry, clean surface. Just be sure to dry it well before applying Perma Blue or Super Blue, both are made by Birchwood Casey, btw. I use electrolysis to clean older guns and guns parts before rebluing with Birchwood Casey products. Electrolysis can be used to remove rust from old metal. Use the exact same setup, but reverse the leads to remove rust. Remember, bluing is actually a chemically induced type of rust so electrolysis can and will remove it also. Another trick that helps is to bake the metal after bluing. Place dried metal in preheated oven at 150F to 200F degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. Either bake metal coated in oil or add copious amounts of oil immediately after removing from oven. This helps the oil penetrate the metal for even greater rust protection. Keep up the tips and tricks!
Also, as a smoker, I would warn everyone of the hazards of smoking or having an open flame near electrolysis. Electrolysis using table salt, hydrogen gas bubbles are released from the cathode and chlorine gas bubbles from the anode. Hydrogen gas in such concentrations can be flammable while chlorine gas can be extremely eye/skin irritating or potentially lethal. Just make such no sparks or flames and that you have plenty of ventilation. Using baking soda for electrolysis has similar byproducts, but the chlorine gas is replaced by carbon dioxide. So, not nearly as dangerous of an inhalation hazard, but still a fire hazard from the hydrogen gas. Still use precautions. I use electrolysis and electroplating almost daily. Both can be extremely useful and fun, just practice a little safety and common sense. 😁
@@randomprojectstube In electrolysis, the Iron oxide(rust) transitions from the project to the sacrificial metal(must be at least somewhat iron based such as cast iron or various types of common steel alloys). Because of the polarity of the DC voltage, ions of iron oxide(III) are scavenged from the project by the iron based sacrificial metal thus leaving you with a new layer of clean metal on the project...the project doesn't receive any metal during electrolysis, but rather the rust layer is transfered to the sacrificial metal leaving nothing but clean metal on the surface of the project. Plating works just the opposite. Both processes take just a minute amount of chemistry knowledge and low cost materials depending on how clean you want the project and the metal used for plating. Any US high school chemistry textbook or the equivalent can and does explain both processes in detail. Hope this helps!
@@randomprojectstube Where you might run into difficulty and find the need for more research/different setup is when working with softer metals and alloys in either process such as copper, brass, silver, bronze, gold, or aluminum. None of the above mentioned softer metals contain anything but trace amounts of iron from the refining process so thus don't oxidize into rust, but however do corroded and/or tarnish. Usually, such metals need only to be thoroughly cleaned in an acid bath before plating. You also have to research the compatibility of the two metals being used when wanting to metal plate using a soft metal. Some soft metals don't "stick" well or at all to iron based metals so you have to first plate with a binding metal...a metal that is compatible with the iron based and the soft metal that is plated onto the project before the soft metal giving the soft metal a surface to bind. This is common when plating with gold, silver, and sometimes nickel. Most require a "binding" plating of copper before plating with the other soft metal.
I used to make candles. Wax has a low flashing point. Double boiler with a separate soup can for each color. The cans can be discarded afterward and your cooking pans won't get damaged. :)
Tht ish was beautifully orchestrated, loved seeing your amazing technique! I definitely wanna learn as much as I can as im getting back into working with metal working raw materials, specifically aluminum, & chemical coatings. Theres a huge need for this because nobody seems to know how to repair aluminium. im looking to customize different projects & im sick of these insurance companies totaling out perfectly good vehicles on mere fender bender accidents because they claim nobody knows how to or its just too exspensive to repair so the customer jus ends up replacing vehicle altogether & I lose the work.
That’s a good way to look at it, and it’s obviously quite different, because it doesn’t sound/look like it is something that is said very often............
If you have a newer battery charger hook the etching leads up to the battery and the battery charger up to the battery. This way you can ask the material in the battery will not be drained. It works!
@@BMSculptures That is how I power my electrolysis tank and soon, my etching set up! I really appreciate your video and how well you presented the material. Cheers!
I am making a Viking axe and wanted to etch it. Came here to see how its done and I got what I was looking for. Thanks for posting. The video is crisp and clear!
Bought a really nice utility knife for work. Not taking the chance of having it stolen so going to try this etching method to etch my initials into it. Hopefully it works. Thanks!
I use this method a lot. Works great, but if you adde a vinyl tube, punctured and weighted down with lead slab, and connect it to an aquarium pump, it works even better!
I've had fantastic results using my mig welder as the power source. I even added a switch to the front of the welder to turn off the wirefeed motor while I use it this way. Also, if you have a newer battery charger, you may have luck adding a spare car battery in parallel to trick the charger. I usually always have a crappy car battery laying around just to keep as a core charge for my next battery purchase.
Also interested… Im a pooooooor broke country folk, so I don’t have a battery charger, that works… Habe a hobby of fixing only battery chargers, battery powered tool batteries and chargers, multimeters, etc etc.. I like to weld and solder… Now, I ain’t very good at it, but I love doing it.. Contradicting as hell, I know, but yeah.. haha…
@@BMSculptures I used ferric chloride to etch (FeCl3) some steel items. I will try out my stick welder as a power source for submerged etching. Turned down to lowest settings. I will report how/if it worked :) Perhabs it will be a good idea to mention in your video some of the chemistry basics: - using salt as a conductor in the water. - electricity and saltwater will produce chlorine gas! This gas is heavier than air so don't do it in your basement! You need good ventilation! A mere mask won't protect you if there is no oxygene left to breath!
The full submersion method is the same as copper plating except I think reversed polarity to the etching method. You just use a copper plate as your "scrap piece of metal" and BAM copper plated.
For etching other metals -- I once saw a chart of which metals are sacrificial compared to which others on a ship hull. (Ship moving in salt water creates a charge, leading to electrolysis). Searching something like that may give you the correct sacrificial metal to allow the process to work with brass or other target metals. I'm thinking the term "electronegativity" was involved, but it was a long time ago, so I can't swear to it.
That would be interesting to see. I am also curious about how sacrificial metals can change the etches. I have never tried etching anything other than steel and brass. (brass did not work when I tried)
That's a different kind of "sacrifice" in ship hulls and other corrosion defense. With those you're trying to pick a metal that gives up electrons more readily than what you're protecting so that it oxidizes instead of the metal you're protecting. With etching, you DON'T want that. You want the same type of metal as what you're etching. The material being etched (the anode) is deposited on the "sacrificial" metal (cathode).
You have just opened an entire new art form for me. I have been creativity constipated for years. You didn't make it sound overly complicated with overpriced tools and you made it sound attainable to even those who get intimidated by crafting. I am super happy I stumbled across your video and I am really grateful for your efforts to share. I am curious though... Is there a specific type of metal that works best or any that don't work at all with this method? Also, do you have any recommendations for if you wanted a polished area where the vinyl protects during the etching? Do you polish before or after etching? I am genuinely so excited to try this. Thank you so much! ❤
Great video! You laid it out really simply and it was interesting to watch. The tool at the end, with the tribal pattern looks like one of thohse polynesian volanic swords. Thanks for uploading!
You can use a golf cart charger. They're either 36 or 48 volts. And a lot of them are "dumb". That's what I use to etch and to derust through electrolysis.
Congratulation for your video, very nice: i want to try the first tecnique (the cotton swab) but you said that the Cricut is not necessary, but how to obtain a good sticker from the vinile without the cricut ? In Italy i found the vinile but not the cricut, so i wait your help please !! Thanks from Italy, Alberto
If you use AC current with a dimmer to lower the voltage and use the cotton swab method you’ll get better darkening.. I etch with DC then use AC to darken the etch.
Thank you for this amazing method for metal etching, I have only one problem, I don’t have a vinyl printer and have no means to create my own stencils, any advice?
Great video pal very well explained and easy to understand I'm definitely going to give it a try with my knives covering the blade they should look cool thanks.
This would be a great way. To Etch a computer case.. After you clean it up. Plus remove the paint on it.. Thank you for posting this video 📹.. Dam.. Awesomeness hands down..
This was a really good explanation and it seems easy enough just make sure to turn off the electricity!!! lol. And omg can you imagine the things I will be doing this to now!!!
what a cool and alive presentation, a good one i have today, thank you. I have a question though, what are you doing when you submerge the rusted metal with the to be etched blade? Is it eletroplating? The metal ions has to travel from the blade to rusted iron, right? in addition, what was the reddish bubbles, i know they are from the rusted iron, composition?
Question, can I use water color/ food coloring on the liquid to add a color effect? and if not a car battery, can I use an electric conductor? like a water heater that you submerge in water. because you get shocked if you touch the water while the water heater is submerged
Where did you get organic compounds involved that you need a mask? I didn't catch where you involved organic compounds other the the acetone that all evaporated. In the first process, the piece to be etched was connected to the positive lead. In the second process, the piece to be etched was connected to the negative lead. Which is it?
just been watching your vid, if i was to use the q tip method on a bike take how do i get the pattern to be deeper, do i just keep going till i get the depth i want...
I can't wait to try these... I'm curious why you like the water bucket car battery one better? Deeper etch? Less over all work? (once it's going)... Thank you brother
Question: as long as I have enough power I can etch as deep as I want? I'm looking to do this to some of my rings which are at least 1/16th thick. And I'd probably want to go at least half way through that depth.
I feel like i should point out, if you do this in an enclosed space, youll die, or have some serious health problems. When doing electrolysis or etching, same method really, salt water doesnt just give off hydrogen and oxygen, it also gives off chlorine gas, which is not good. If you do use the battery charger, do it outside and away from others, stick with the Q-tips and gator clips if you can, lot safer.
You know it gives off chlorine gas, and you know chlorine gas is dangerous, so you assume it's deadly. It doesn't give off anywhere near as much chlorine as would be required for health risks. You'll get more chlorine gas opening your shock container for your pool. It's minimal.
I want to etch the whole surface of stainless steel serving tray to prepare it for painting with enamel paint. Can I use the same method with cotton wool balls?
About the car battery charger, you said that the newer ones NEED a battery to work. Can you attach the charger to a battery and then have another wire (with a cut off switch) attached to leads of project? I don't know if there would be any problems to this, since I am not very knowledgeable about electricity. I would think a cut off switch between project and battery would work as a safety measure for turning off the system to check the metal( since you said to always turn off charger when checking and the battery probably would have a charge in it from the charger).
Got curious and searched. I haven't tried any of the methods but here are my findings: The metal is toxic and, depending on the concentration, so is the liquid. You could damage your plumbing, the water treatment plant's microbiome, and the wildlife (copper isn't good) by just putting it in your toilets. It might also be illegal in your area. If you can, it is better to bring it to a hazardous chemical waste collector. Maybe at the place you bring your paint, battery, car oil and stuff? It should be ok as long as you label it. Alternatively, if you can't : 1/ You can reverse the electrolysis to get the metal back on the sacrificial metal piece (red on that piece, black on a steel(?) part instead of the blade), and then reuse it for the next etching 2/ You can neutralize the etching solution with soda if you used salt like in video (or salt if you used soda). It should precipitate the metal in the solution. You can then filter and throw away the liquid in your toilets, and put the filtrate in the landfill. Some said to put the filtrate in plaster then in the landfill. It might not be legal in your area.
I know you specifically say steel but would this work for aluminum? Also do you find the etching will wear away or become less visible over time? And I assume the vinyl sticker is a one time use so you have to remake it every time? Thanks
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I'm inclined to go etch everything in my shop now
😂😂😂 do it! So easy to do for a little customization
@@BMSculptures nesesito un novio 😃 tiempo. Completo
Bromance in the making
@@BMSculptures How did you deal with all of your waste liquid? That thing can be quite nasty.
Fr I just got some new cooking knifes and I'm drooling thinking about what to put on em
Sir I had to write and say THANK YoU. I'm a stained glass artist and I've been designing a set of double doors for a client and the door knob plates have been driving me mad because I know what I want and no body makes them. Now thanks to you I will tig weld the plates and then etch the glass design onto the plates. I have gun blue and lots of sea salt. I just became a happy subscriber. Walk with God.
Hey Joe, Thanks for leaving a comment. I am glad this video helped! Sounds like you have a really cool door being put together. Good luck!
That was the best video on Etching I have watched so far.
Very well explained and presented . Cheers. :)
Thank you Doug. I appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment on all of my videos. Much appreciated!
Your presentation from start to finish was the best etching video / class I have come across, you used layman terms so everybody would understand and took the time to explain everything including safety. thanks for the video and again excellent job in presentation
Thank you so much David. I am a layman and dont know the fancy schematics of how everything works so that is what I present!
You are very welcome itt akes a good teacher to get people involved in anything they pursue people get bored ,uninterested ,or angry because they don't understand or the presentation or speech does not set well with the student a great teacher is everything again amazing job
A stick welder makes a great alternative to a battery charger, I've been using my inverter welder to deep etch stainless and it works great. I mix a strong salt and copper sulphate solution and a splash of hydrochloric acid for s/steel, that works well with brass too, nice deep etch within 6-8 mins.
Why bother with all the additives? Why not just salt water and higher current or a little longer? I've not tried it yet myself
Ferric chloride off of damascus etching seems cheaper alternative?
@@PercyJackson93they probably used what they had laying around, got great results, and wanted to share. I'm going to try this too because if I can be more efficient at something, I'd like to try it.
@@mixedmediaartgirl300 I gave this a go myself a while back. I tried a few methods. The only two methods I'll use again will be printing out my design and tracing onto the metal with the inked transfer paper, forgot what it's called. I'd have a baked on etching ground called BIG, comes in a small tube, you don't need much at all. Or if not using that I found cutting out the design on electrical tape worked very well but spray paint like he uses in these videos never worked unless your only going to put a small stain on the metal. Using my method you'll get a good mm or 2 recess. My mistakes learning was taking the tape of too early
@@PercyJackson93 Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. That big etching ground seems like a great product!! I'll order some and try it out. Thanks
Wow. What fantastic gifts you can make with this technique. You don't even have to tell anybody how simple it is (though I see that intricate designs are time consuming). Love it very much. So I'll have to get my grandson to help granny make some Christmas gift-keepsakes of love.
Lol, you remind me of the star of the TV show, Bones.
Love it. Thanks for the comment. Ill have to check out bones 😁
I've gotta try this, it looks easy enough. Then again I said the same thing about the video I watched before this... How to catch rattle snakes!
😂😂😂😂
Everyone's hands screw them over the Eiffel Tower
I've used method 2 for smaller projects using a plastic Chinese food container and a 9v battery. Works great on everything from altoid tins to washers (great for prop coins and trinkets)
That's a great idea!
Can aluminum metal be etched this method?
Ty I’ve watched a lot of vid on this , you are the first to explain what to do . Ty for sharing, nice work btw 👍😊
Never seen metal etched before. Very interesting, informative and beautiful. Thank you for post video.
That's badass , well to the point and easy to understand... I'm on this!!!! Thanx big bro
I deep metal etch tooling plates, and I found a NOCO genius 10 works. It’s a modern battery charger that has a constant power mode that acts like a old school battery charger. Remember all safety precautions must be taken.
Wow that would be a game changer if we could use a modern charger. Are you able to share the link?
@@BMSculptures updated link www.amazon.com/NOCO-GENIUS10-Fully-Automatic-Temperature-Compensation/dp/B07W3QT226?ref_=ast_sto_dp
in 12V supply mode I have etched for over 12 hours on a deep etch with no issues
wow Im going to put this link in the description. Absolute game changer thank you for sending this over
@@BMSculptures no problem, I’m planning on running my largest deep etch at 4x 16 inches. It will be nice to have the extra current.
Nice video. I would suggest using baking soda instead of salt. With baking soda, the electrolysis doesn't produce potentially lethal chlorine gas.
Also, Perma Blue needs a dry, clean surface. Just be sure to dry it well before applying Perma Blue or Super Blue, both are made by Birchwood Casey, btw.
I use electrolysis to clean older guns and guns parts before rebluing with Birchwood Casey products. Electrolysis can be used to remove rust from old metal. Use the exact same setup, but reverse the leads to remove rust. Remember, bluing is actually a chemically induced type of rust so electrolysis can and will remove it also.
Another trick that helps is to bake the metal after bluing. Place dried metal in preheated oven at 150F to 200F degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. Either bake metal coated in oil or add copious amounts of oil immediately after removing from oven. This helps the oil penetrate the metal for even greater rust protection.
Keep up the tips and tricks!
Also, as a smoker, I would warn everyone of the hazards of smoking or having an open flame near electrolysis. Electrolysis using table salt, hydrogen gas bubbles are released from the cathode and chlorine gas bubbles from the anode. Hydrogen gas in such concentrations can be flammable while chlorine gas can be extremely eye/skin irritating or potentially lethal. Just make such no sparks or flames and that you have plenty of ventilation.
Using baking soda for electrolysis has similar byproducts, but the chlorine gas is replaced by carbon dioxide. So, not nearly as dangerous of an inhalation hazard, but still a fire hazard from the hydrogen gas. Still use precautions.
I use electrolysis and electroplating almost daily. Both can be extremely useful and fun, just practice a little safety and common sense.
😁
Ive hear of this quite a few times. I just couldn't locate any as easily as salt.
very good tip!
@@randomprojectstube In electrolysis, the Iron oxide(rust) transitions from the project to the sacrificial metal(must be at least somewhat iron based such as cast iron or various types of common steel alloys). Because of the polarity of the DC voltage, ions of iron oxide(III) are scavenged from the project by the iron based sacrificial metal thus leaving you with a new layer of clean metal on the project...the project doesn't receive any metal during electrolysis, but rather the rust layer is transfered to the sacrificial metal leaving nothing but clean metal on the surface of the project.
Plating works just the opposite. Both processes take just a minute amount of chemistry knowledge and low cost materials depending on how clean you want the project and the metal used for plating. Any US high school chemistry textbook or the equivalent can and does explain both processes in detail. Hope this helps!
@@randomprojectstube Where you might run into difficulty and find the need for more research/different setup is when working with softer metals and alloys in either process such as copper, brass, silver, bronze, gold, or aluminum. None of the above mentioned softer metals contain anything but trace amounts of iron from the refining process so thus don't oxidize into rust, but however do corroded and/or tarnish. Usually, such metals need only to be thoroughly cleaned in an acid bath before plating.
You also have to research the compatibility of the two metals being used when wanting to metal plate using a soft metal. Some soft metals don't "stick" well or at all to iron based metals so you have to first plate with a binding metal...a metal that is compatible with the iron based and the soft metal that is plated onto the project before the soft metal giving the soft metal a surface to bind. This is common when plating with gold, silver, and sometimes nickel. Most require a "binding" plating of copper before plating with the other soft metal.
Wow i want to make my Viking axe and i thought i couldn't add any decorations to it. Now i know i can. Thank you so much
Thanks for the “how-to”! My husband will probably hate me soon! 😁
I used to make candles. Wax has a low flashing point. Double boiler with a separate soup can for each color. The cans can be discarded afterward and your cooking pans won't get damaged. :)
Tht ish was beautifully orchestrated, loved seeing your amazing technique!
I definitely wanna learn as much as I can as im getting back into working with metal working raw materials, specifically aluminum, & chemical coatings.
Theres a huge need for this because nobody seems to know how to repair aluminium. im looking to customize different projects & im sick of these insurance companies totaling out perfectly good vehicles on mere fender bender accidents because they claim nobody knows how to or its just too exspensive to repair so the customer jus ends up replacing vehicle altogether & I lose the work.
Not completely sure if this works for aluminum. I have never tried.
"How to etch metal" or "How I Tattoo my Tools". Great video!
haha thanks Kris!
I don't think I'd want to tattoo my tool, sounds painful 😲😁
That’s a good way to look at it, and it’s obviously quite different, because it doesn’t sound/look like it is something that is said very often............
@@sethc6663 that's why I used the plural of tool because if I just said tool I figured someone would take it wrong. And you didn't disappoint. Lol
@@krisknowlton5935 if he has more than one Tool I’m sure he’s very popular with the girls and he has no time to tattoo anything.😂🤪
If you have a newer battery charger hook the etching leads up to the battery and the battery charger up to the battery. This way you can ask the material in the battery will not be drained. It works!
👍
I was going to point that out myself.
Interesting. Never thought about that. If it works that is a hell of a hack!
@@BMSculptures That is how I power my electrolysis tank and soon, my etching set up! I really appreciate your video and how well you presented the material. Cheers!
Thanks RH!
That was very nice and neat.. cool stuff man 😎👌
I am making a Viking axe and wanted to etch it. Came here to see how its done and I got what I was looking for. Thanks for posting. The video is crisp and clear!
Glad I could help! Good luck!
no viking axe was ever etched
Best video I’ve seen on this! Thank you!
Thanks William
This is the best vid on this subject I have seen so far. Thanks buddy👍
Thank you!
6:25 I'm getting strong "and we add two shots of Vokda~" vibes here
Bought a really nice utility knife for work. Not taking the chance of having it stolen so going to try this etching method to etch my initials into it. Hopefully it works. Thanks!
Превосходно! Тебе, мужик, на зоне цены бы не было! С такими талантами по промке отсидел бы весь срок на расслабухе!!!
Thanks!
I use this method a lot. Works great, but if you adde a vinyl tube, punctured and weighted down with lead slab, and connect it to an aquarium pump, it works even better!
Great tip!
Great and simple explanation of the process
I've had fantastic results using my mig welder as the power source. I even added a switch to the front of the welder to turn off the wirefeed motor while I use it this way. Also, if you have a newer battery charger, you may have luck adding a spare car battery in parallel to trick the charger. I usually always have a crappy car battery laying around just to keep as a core charge for my next battery purchase.
I would be interested in seeing how that works. What does the setup look like?
Also interested… Im a pooooooor broke country folk, so I don’t have a battery charger, that works… Habe a hobby of fixing only battery chargers, battery powered tool batteries and chargers, multimeters, etc etc.. I like to weld and solder… Now, I ain’t very good at it, but I love doing it.. Contradicting as hell, I know, but yeah.. haha…
@@BMSculptures I used ferric chloride to etch (FeCl3) some steel items. I will try out my stick welder as a power source for submerged etching. Turned down to lowest settings. I will report how/if it worked :)
Perhabs it will be a good idea to mention in your video some of the chemistry basics:
- using salt as a conductor in the water.
- electricity and saltwater will produce chlorine gas! This gas is heavier than air so don't do it in your basement! You need good ventilation! A mere mask won't protect you if there is no oxygene left to breath!
The full submersion method is the same as copper plating except I think reversed polarity to the etching method. You just use a copper plate as your "scrap piece of metal" and BAM copper plated.
For etching other metals -- I once saw a chart of which metals are sacrificial compared to which others on a ship hull. (Ship moving in salt water creates a charge, leading to electrolysis). Searching something like that may give you the correct sacrificial metal to allow the process to work with brass or other target metals. I'm thinking the term "electronegativity" was involved, but it was a long time ago, so I can't swear to it.
That would be interesting to see. I am also curious about how sacrificial metals can change the etches. I have never tried etching anything other than steel and brass. (brass did not work when I tried)
Que bien
That's a different kind of "sacrifice" in ship hulls and other corrosion defense. With those you're trying to pick a metal that gives up electrons more readily than what you're protecting so that it oxidizes instead of the metal you're protecting. With etching, you DON'T want that. You want the same type of metal as what you're etching. The material being etched (the anode) is deposited on the "sacrificial" metal (cathode).
I love that you used electroplating. It's an awesome technique!
Thanks!
You have just opened an entire new art form for me. I have been creativity constipated for years. You didn't make it sound overly complicated with overpriced tools and you made it sound attainable to even those who get intimidated by crafting. I am super happy I stumbled across your video and I am really grateful for your efforts to share.
I am curious though... Is there a specific type of metal that works best or any that don't work at all with this method? Also, do you have any recommendations for if you wanted a polished area where the vinyl protects during the etching? Do you polish before or after etching? I am genuinely so excited to try this. Thank you so much! ❤
Very cool video. I will say the best rust removal I've found is Evaporust. It comes in quarts and gallons.
Thanks Tim. Yup, Ive used evaporust extensively and love it
Great video! You laid it out really simply and it was interesting to watch. The tool at the end, with the tribal pattern looks like one of thohse polynesian volanic swords. Thanks for uploading!
Glad you liked it!
@@BMSculptures tiene Cabell negro no me gust🙁🙁🙁🙁
Thanks for the complete information 👍😀
No problem 👍
Great video, thanks for sharing. And the funny thing is you have the same initials. Keep on doing the good work. Cheers from the Netherlands
Thanks!
That is so cool and simple. Nice. Gonna try it
Thank you much for this quick to the point instructional video. It earned you 1 sub.
Thanks for watching and the sub!
well damn...i just realized a new use for my DC Regulated Power Supply. thanks.
Glad I could help
You had me at fancy shovel
Subscribed
Exactly what I was looking for and then some!🥰
Thanks for the new knowledge and pretty simple technic of metal etching!
You bet!
You can use a golf cart charger. They're either 36 or 48 volts. And a lot of them are "dumb". That's what I use to etch and to derust through electrolysis.
Love the video! Thanks for making it simple.
Congratulation for your video, very nice: i want to try the first tecnique (the cotton swab) but you said that the Cricut is not necessary, but how to obtain a good sticker from the vinile without the cricut ? In Italy i found the vinile but not the cricut, so i wait your help please !! Thanks from Italy, Alberto
Bro, that was awesome! Cheers
Love this. Going to it this summer.
Great video. Thanks for the tips! Subbed fo sho!
Cheers
Awesome, thank you!
If you use AC current with a dimmer to lower the voltage and use the cotton swab method you’ll get better darkening.. I etch with DC then use AC to darken the etch.
The video ive been looking for. Great job
Thank you!
@Kabir Bobby hahaha
Thank you for this amazing method for metal etching, I have only one problem, I don’t have a vinyl printer and have no means to create my own stencils, any advice?
Awesome insight of metal etching!! Thanks for sharing
Thanks for watching!
Great video pal very well explained and easy to understand I'm definitely going to give it a try with my knives covering the blade they should look cool thanks.
Glad it helped, good luck!
Excellent video. You're a great teacher
I appreciate that!
This would be a great way. To Etch a computer case.. After you clean it up. Plus remove the paint on it..
Thank you for posting this video 📹.. Dam.. Awesomeness hands down..
Great idea
Holy cow man, thanks so much for this video.
No problem!
Ty so much brother for you teachings 💪 much appreciated
This was a really good explanation and it seems easy enough just make sure to turn off the electricity!!! lol. And omg can you imagine the things I will be doing this to now!!!
Yup, super easy to do!
I do the Q tip methodbut the full immersion method im gonna give it a go for sure
Ty for the great video
Yeah Q tip method is great for smaller etchings. If you have anything big, full submersion is definitely the way to go!
this is super cool. I'm going to add some identity to my tools soon.
thanks a lot for sharing these methods...
Glad it was helpful!
This is awesome! Definitely going to try this. 🤙
awesome good luck!
I use a computer power supply for full submersion. You can actually cut parts out of sheet steel.
Can't wait to try this out!!
Hope you like it!
what a cool and alive presentation, a good one i have today, thank you. I have a question though, what are you doing when you submerge the rusted metal with the to be etched blade? Is it eletroplating? The metal ions has to travel from the blade to rusted iron, right? in addition, what was the reddish bubbles, i know they are from the rusted iron, composition?
Instead of a car battery charger, would a small 110 electric welding machine work ? Thanks, 👍.
Yes it will
Interesting if you tried it what it the time process on this method
Question, can I use water color/ food coloring on the liquid to add a color effect?
and if not a car battery, can I use an electric conductor? like a water heater that you submerge in water. because you get shocked if you touch the water while the water heater is submerged
Simply brilliant! Thank you :)
This is way cool bro. Thanks for the idea. I really like this
Glad you like it
@@BMSculptures absolutely. I'm definitely going to mess around with that. Very cool idea
fACIL GRACIAS JOVEN MAESTRO FELIZ DIA
Wow. No fucking way is it that easy ? !!!!... Ha. I love you dude. Ty. Can't wait to do this.
Very easy
Thats freaking awesome!
I think you might get a deeper more even etch on the submerged method if you clean it off periodically.
I have seen this done with some kind of spraypaint. Is there one specific that should be used?
That is simply awesome!!!!!
Glad you like it!
Super Awesome Video!!! 👌
Thank you very much!
Where did you get organic compounds involved that you need a mask? I didn't catch where you involved organic compounds other the the acetone that all evaporated. In the first process, the piece to be etched was connected to the positive lead. In the second process, the piece to be etched was connected to the negative lead. Which is it?
just been watching your vid, if i was to use the q tip method on a bike take how do i get the pattern to be deeper, do i just keep going till i get the depth i want...
Thats awesome! But how do I remove the gunk from the vinyl after I remove it?
Could I do custom designs with a cricut joy for small hatchet head designs?
Can you juat use a power supply like the ones for elecroplating?
I had no idea it could be so easy
very easy bear... very easy
You can use your arc (mma) welder too. Works well. Same way you use the battery charger.
Interesting. Not sure how. Must have to use extremely low amperage
Nice work and great technique. Thanks!
Thanks Mike!
Very slick!
Excellent video!
Thank you very much!
Thankx man, breaking it Down.
Anytime!
Cool techniques. Does with work on aluminum?
I can't wait to try these... I'm curious why you like the water bucket car battery one better? Deeper etch? Less over all work? (once it's going)...
Thank you brother
That was dope you get a new subscriber too bro
Thanks Markus, I appreciate it!
Cool project
Question: as long as I have enough power I can etch as deep as I want? I'm looking to do this to some of my rings which are at least 1/16th thick. And I'd probably want to go at least half way through that depth.
Does that newer battery charger really work in your description before i spend the money and buy it
I feel like i should point out, if you do this in an enclosed space, youll die, or have some serious health problems. When doing electrolysis or etching, same method really, salt water doesnt just give off hydrogen and oxygen, it also gives off chlorine gas, which is not good. If you do use the battery charger, do it outside and away from others, stick with the Q-tips and gator clips if you can, lot safer.
Yes absolutely. I mention in the video that you should be doing this with proper respirator as well as outside or in a well ventilated area.
You know it gives off chlorine gas, and you know chlorine gas is dangerous, so you assume it's deadly. It doesn't give off anywhere near as much chlorine as would be required for health risks. You'll get more chlorine gas opening your shock container for your pool. It's minimal.
@@c.j.1089nothing wrong or difficult to take simple precautions.
I want to etch the whole surface of stainless steel serving tray to prepare it for painting with enamel paint. Can I use the same method with cotton wool balls?
Will it become black by its own on the chosen places?
Trough the prozess with the battery?
About the car battery charger, you said that the newer ones NEED a battery to work. Can you attach the charger to a battery and then have another wire (with a cut off switch) attached to leads of project? I don't know if there would be any problems to this, since I am not very knowledgeable about electricity. I would think a cut off switch between project and battery would work as a safety measure for turning off the system to check the metal( since you said to always turn off charger when checking and the battery probably would have a charge in it from the charger).
Hmm, Sounds like it could work. I cannot confirm anything though. Never have tried it and I only know what works for me.
Out of curiosity, what's the best way of disposing of all that waste water?
Got curious and searched. I haven't tried any of the methods but here are my findings:
The metal is toxic and, depending on the concentration, so is the liquid. You could damage your plumbing, the water treatment plant's microbiome, and the wildlife (copper isn't good) by just putting it in your toilets. It might also be illegal in your area.
If you can, it is better to bring it to a hazardous chemical waste collector. Maybe at the place you bring your paint, battery, car oil and stuff? It should be ok as long as you label it.
Alternatively, if you can't :
1/ You can reverse the electrolysis to get the metal back on the sacrificial metal piece (red on that piece, black on a steel(?) part instead of the blade), and then reuse it for the next etching
2/ You can neutralize the etching solution with soda if you used salt like in video (or salt if you used soda). It should precipitate the metal in the solution. You can then filter and throw away the liquid in your toilets, and put the filtrate in the landfill. Some said to put the filtrate in plaster then in the landfill. It might not be legal in your area.
I know you specifically say steel but would this work for aluminum? Also do you find the etching will wear away or become less visible over time? And I assume the vinyl sticker is a one time use so you have to remake it every time? Thanks
I loved the video and learnt alot thank you so much
Glad you enjoyed it!