Etching

[Jason Volkert]

I need to get a good etcher for etching my mark on blades. What do you guys think is a good etcher. I have checked out the personalizer. Is it worth it to get the personalizer plus. Or would you get a deff machine. I have no experiance with etching. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Thanks
Jason

 

[sgmtino]

I have had a personalizer for years. I couldnt tell you about the plus I couldnt afford that one when I bought mine. My personalizer works just fine for me.

 

[Ty Adams]

I have had a personalizer for years. I couldnt tell you about the plus I couldnt afford that one when I bought mine. My personalizer works just fine for me.

This^^^

 

[Daniel Macina]

I’m actually building my etching machine. I don’t have any clue if it will work near as good as one of the nicer machines but it’s only cost me about $50 to buy the parts. Haven’t got around to putting it together yet though. And again I don’t know if it will work good or not I may end up buying a stamp or an etching machine will have to see.

Here ya go!

https://chriscrawfordknives.com/tutorials/written-tutorials/electro-etcher/page-1/

 

[DanF]

I have the plus, but really can't say the extra $$ were worth it as I have no experience with the others.
I am thinking very hard about a stamp.

 

[Gliden07]

I used an HO train transformer. It has the DC to etch and flip the switch and you have AC to stain/Blacken etch. I bought it for 5 bucks on Ebay delivered. I went over board and fit it all into a small plastic tool box. It's a touch underpowered but it works fine!

 

[opaul]

I went with an etcher when I first starting making knives. The one I have left more of a stencil mark in that it would sand off, it really didn't etch into the metal. I recently decided to go with a stamp and like it much better.

 

[Jason Volkert]

I’m actually building my etching machine. I don’t have any clue if it will work near as good as one of the nicer machines but it’s only cost me about $50 to buy the parts. Haven’t got around to putting it together yet though. And again I don’t know if it will work good or not I may end up buying a stamp or an etching machine will have to see.

Here ya go!

https://chriscrawfordknives.com/tutorials/written-tutorials/electro-etcher/page-1/

I hear you but I have spent sooooooo much time building things that I'm tired of building things. I just want to make some knives not build machines and jigs and stuff like that. I do enjoy building things but it's just between my stupid day job and my time is limited. I thank you for the info though

 

[Jason Volkert]

I have the plus, but really can't say the extra $$ were worth it as I have no experience with the others.
I am thinking very hard about a stamp.

I have a stamp from Henry Everstamp. But some small knives I find hard to use it with out warping my blades out of line

 

[Jason Volkert]

I used an HO train transformer. It has the DC to etch and flip the switch and you have AC to stain/Blacken etch. I bought it for 5 bucks on Ebay delivered. I went over board and fit it all into a small plastic tool box. It's a touch underpowered but it works fine!

Thanks for the info I did not know that about the HO transformer

 

[Jason Volkert]

I went with an etcher when I first starting making knives. The one I have left more of a stencil mark in that it would sand off, it really didn't etch into the metal. I recently decided to go with a stamp and like it much better.

What kind of etcher did you go with at first?

 

[Daniel Macina]

I hear you but I have spent sooooooo much time building things that I'm tired of building things. I just want to make some knives not build machines and jigs and stuff like that. I do enjoy building things but it's just between my stupid day job and my time is limited. I thank you for the info though

You have no idea how much I can relate to that.

 

[Gliden07]

Thanks for the info I did not know that about the HO transformer

What kind of etcher did you go with at first?

You know and I'm not sure of this but if you used a transformer for say an O-Gauge the output current wise I would assume would be higher so that would take care if the underpowered HO transformer? The other thing with a larger output the throttle for the train could be used to dial in the etch. That is the nice thing about the transformer I have being a little underpowered I add time and still get a good etch.

 

[Sean Jones]

I’m actually building my etching machine. I don’t have any clue if it will work near as good as one of the nicer machines but it’s only cost me about $50 to buy the parts. Haven’t got around to putting it together yet though. And again I don’t know if it will work good or not I may end up buying a stamp or an etching machine will have to see.

Here ya go!

https://chriscrawfordknives.com/tutorials/written-tutorials/electro-etcher/page-1/

That's the same one I built. I was going to make my own stencils for it, but that turned out to be a bit of a bust. Instead I'm going to order some stencils from Ernie's in the near future. Then I'll know for sure how well it works.