Firefrode
Full Member
Here is the process I use for producing my Brass Etched pens:-
SALT WATER ETCHING TECHNIQUE
Preparing the brass bullet case :-
Firstly select your brass cases and clean thoroughly removing all gun shot residue. I wash first in hot soapy water with brisk agitation then drop them into pickling vinegar.
I use a sharpie to apply the design on the brass and this acts as the Acid resist stopping that part of the brass from being etched. (Other resists I have used successfully are – Nail Varnish, Acrylic paint, Cello tape, Vinyl tape etc)
You are now ready to start.
Equipment you will need :-
Plastic container 4” x 2” x2”
copper wire one red – one black
alligator clips
12v battery
water and salt
copper blank
patterned piece
The process:-
Take a plastic container and fill ~1/4 of it with salt
Fill the container with water ( I use warm water as it helps the salt dissolve quicker – some salt still lies on bottom of container but that’s ok)
I use a 12v motorcycle battery that applies a voltage to my alligator clips…
You will need an anode and a cathode
* anode is the piece you will be etching (Brass Bullet) Red positive connection
* cathode is the piece scrap copper you will hang in the water to collect all the copper ions. Black negative connection
Hang your piece to be etched and your blank piece of copper from the side of the plastic container using copper wire.
Attach the red alligator clip to the copper wire that is hanging the anode (*piece you want the etched pattern on)
Attach the black alligator clip to the copper wire that is hanging the cathode (*piece to collect the copper ions)
Plug in your clips to the battery ( DON NOT LET THE PIECES TOUCH AS YOU WILL GET SPARKS)
You will notice bubbles coming off the copper piece and the water will start to discolour – this is good.
Etching copper/brass at this voltage takes about 1hour and makes a nice clean deep etch!!! No Chemicals No Mess….and you can reuse the etch over and over!!!!
Happy Etching!
My first attempt straight from salt solution
SALT WATER ETCHING TECHNIQUE
Preparing the brass bullet case :-
Firstly select your brass cases and clean thoroughly removing all gun shot residue. I wash first in hot soapy water with brisk agitation then drop them into pickling vinegar.
I use a sharpie to apply the design on the brass and this acts as the Acid resist stopping that part of the brass from being etched. (Other resists I have used successfully are – Nail Varnish, Acrylic paint, Cello tape, Vinyl tape etc)
You are now ready to start.
Equipment you will need :-
Plastic container 4” x 2” x2”
copper wire one red – one black
alligator clips
12v battery
water and salt
copper blank
patterned piece
The process:-
Take a plastic container and fill ~1/4 of it with salt
Fill the container with water ( I use warm water as it helps the salt dissolve quicker – some salt still lies on bottom of container but that’s ok)
I use a 12v motorcycle battery that applies a voltage to my alligator clips…
You will need an anode and a cathode
* anode is the piece you will be etching (Brass Bullet) Red positive connection
* cathode is the piece scrap copper you will hang in the water to collect all the copper ions. Black negative connection
Hang your piece to be etched and your blank piece of copper from the side of the plastic container using copper wire.
Attach the red alligator clip to the copper wire that is hanging the anode (*piece you want the etched pattern on)
Attach the black alligator clip to the copper wire that is hanging the cathode (*piece to collect the copper ions)
Plug in your clips to the battery ( DON NOT LET THE PIECES TOUCH AS YOU WILL GET SPARKS)
You will notice bubbles coming off the copper piece and the water will start to discolour – this is good.
Etching copper/brass at this voltage takes about 1hour and makes a nice clean deep etch!!! No Chemicals No Mess….and you can reuse the etch over and over!!!!
Happy Etching!
My first attempt straight from salt solution