Electro etching machine recommendation

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Edwardshandmadeknives

Well-Known Member
So, Santa left me some extra money this year, and I want to get a real etching machine to replace my mess I built. I’m looking for variable outputs, and quality build, with a budget of $1000. I was looking at the Personalizer Plus, but I see that it’s max output is 24 volts, and I’ve seen guys getting nice deep etches using 30 volts, so I don’t know if that’s going to be enough. Any recommendations?
 
I've been using the Personalizer Plus for several years and it seems to work good. It doesn't seem to lack power to get sufficient etch depth.
When my logo isn't of good quality I think it's due to poor cleaning/surface prep or a clogged stencil.
 
I am really happy with my home build! I picked up a AC/DC Power supply and made my own wand for it (Dowel, brass screw, felt and a graphite block instead of a brass block). I put the dial just over half way for regular etching of my logo and it gets good and deep! I do 10 second intervals, like 4 or 5 of them to deep etch the blade, plug the contacts into the AC plugs and blacken away! Magnacut doesn't etch as easily as say 1095 would, so I do longer for stainless steels. If I crank it all the way up, it etches deeper and quicker, but I need to clean the felt pads more often since they get a blank gunk in them which prevents the current from flowing/etching. I got a pack of like 12 or 24 different colors of 12x12 craft felt and they work great and I have plenty! I use the SC-E1 electrolyte from Pops.
Power supply.jpg
I can electro etch jimping on the spine of knives that is actually effective! I cranked the DC up to the max and did several 10-20 second cycles, then rinsed the blade in cool water and repeated a few times. The felt pad on my wand gummed up quick, so I would remove the felt pad and rinse the gunk out at least once during the process. I use a CriCut to cut the stencil for the etching. I just used capital "I" letters for my stencil.
jimping mcoh.jpgp SPINE.jpg

Mine goes to 15 volts and it is plenty to etch deep! I am not sure why 24 or 30V is needed to etch deep? Personalizer Plus is nice, but $$$. I am into this setup less than $100 for the power supply unit, wand, alligator clips and felt.
 
That is some DEEP etching! Good job. The current required isn't all that much. I can't imagine a stencil for a maker's mark that would draw over an amp. The stencil I use for my name and hen logo is perhaps 500mA? I don't think it's ever when to 750 mA.
 
I use a Cricut to cut my stencils out of their vinyl material. I cut a fresh stencil for each etch I do, so I don't have to worry about reusing it or the screen clogging. I am not sure how a real stencil would do for deep etching? I know when cranking up the voltage, my felt gets really clogged and nasty, but washes out. The graphite block also gets residue, so if I am doing deep jimping etching, I use a scotchbrite pad on the graphite block before and after and rinse out the felt pad halfway through the process. Makes a HUGE difference!
 
Yup! There is another one like mine for $80 plus 22 shipping and a few other similar ones. They are fairly large units, so the shipping is going to be around $20-$30. Elenco XP 620/625 or 720 is another one to look for.
 
Taz575 said:
The graphite block also gets residue, so if I am doing deep jimping etching, I use a scotchbrite pad on the graphite block before and after and rinse out the felt pad halfway through the process. Makes a HUGE difference!
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Thanks for the tip, I'm going to start doing that.
 
Taz575 said:
Yup! There is another one like mine for $80 plus 22 shipping and a few other similar ones. They are fairly large units, so the shipping is going to be around $20-$30. Elenco XP 620/625 or 720 is another one to look for.
Click to expand...
I’m gonna have to try that trick too Taz. Good tip.
Edit: I meant the scotchbrite pad. Replied to the wrong comment.
 
I got an Elenco XP-625 "scratch & dent" on eBay for $45. I also ordered some carbon blocks, also on eBay for $20, enough to make several different sizes of applicators. Brass 1/4-20 bolt from hardware store, drill & tap carbon block, add felt or even gauze pads with a rubber band, attach gator clip leads and you are in business with both AC/DC for well under $100 easy with more control & more customizability than any expensive commercial etcher.

Etcher.jpg
 
Bühlmann said:
I got an Elenco XP-625 "scratch & dent" on eBay for $45. I also ordered some carbon blocks, also on eBay for $20, enough to make several different sizes of applicators. Brass 1/4-20 bolt from hardware store, drill & tap carbon block, add felt or even gauze pads with a rubber band, attach gator clip leads and you are in business with both AC/DC for well under $100 easy with more control & more customizability than any expensive commercial etcher.

View attachment 82456
Click to expand...
I’m gonna check that out
 
Bühlmann said:
I got an Elenco XP-625 "scratch & dent" on eBay for $45. I also ordered some carbon blocks, also on eBay for $20, enough to make several different sizes of applicators. Brass 1/4-20 bolt from hardware store, drill & tap carbon block, add felt or even gauze pads with a rubber band, attach gator clip leads and you are in business with both AC/DC for well under $100 easy with more control & more customizability than any expensive commercial etcher.

View attachment 82456
Click to expand...

I already have a nice etchig machine, but I found one of these in perfect working condition on eBay for $40 so I bought it.

It arrived yesterday and I'll try it out tomorrow. I'm hoping for a deeper etch than I get with my current machine...
 
Bühlmann said:
I got an Elenco XP-625 "scratch & dent" on eBay for $45. I also ordered some carbon blocks, also on eBay for $20, enough to make several different sizes of applicators. Brass 1/4-20 bolt from hardware store, drill & tap carbon block, add felt or even gauze pads with a rubber band, attach gator clip leads and you are in business with both AC/DC for well under $100 easy with more control & more customizability than any expensive commercial etcher.

View attachment 82456
Click to expand...
Can you tell me what were the carbon blocks listed under, or who the seller was? I've tried the obvious with no luck. Thanks
 
Bühlmann said:
I got an Elenco XP-625 "scratch & dent" on eBay for $45. I also ordered some carbon blocks, also on eBay for $20, enough to make several different sizes of applicators. Brass 1/4-20 bolt from hardware store, drill & tap carbon block, add felt or even gauze pads with a rubber band, attach gator clip leads and you are in business with both AC/DC for well under $100 easy with more control & more customizability than any expensive commercial etcher.

View attachment 82456could you post a pic of your leads?
Click to expand...
 
I'm traveling for work right now but the leads are nothing special, just basic test leads. Banana plug on one end & gator clip on the other. I like the softer silicone sheathed ones.
 
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