LowPowerLab Forum

Hardware support => General topics => Topic started by: stern0m1 on March 06, 2017, 05:39:03 PM

Title: Etching
Post by: stern0m1 on March 06, 2017, 05:39:03 PM
Im trying to follow Felixs guide to etch my own stencils. Im using flashing from homedepot. Took me a few hours but i finally got a half decent toner transfer. Now i have it soaking in Felixs recipe but nothing is happening. Its 9 mil thick.

I know i  have somewhat the right mixture because like a dope i first put it in a foil pan... only to burn a hole...! But this aluminum flashing nothing is happening.

(https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9zG_zPLIAC4eE9MNXcxeHdBUTQ/view?usp=sharing)

Any ideas?

Also, I notice the solution is evaporating. is that normal?

Thanks

Edit:
I think I realize the problem. The flashing is actually coated with a thin plastic film that I guess will need acetone to remove. Oh well, I thought I would have easier than soda cans...
Title: Re: Etching
Post by: stern0m1 on March 07, 2017, 12:04:41 AM
I finally got it! But it took a long time to etch.
@Felix
What concentration of Hydrogen Peroxide does 1:3 recipe call for? Mine was 3%.

Title: Re: Etching
Post by: Felix on March 07, 2017, 07:55:36 AM
the grocery store peroxide, 3%.
Title: Re: Etching
Post by: stern0m1 on March 12, 2017, 03:40:33 PM
Where can i get clean metal sheets that i could use to etch stencils?

Dont want to bother with soda cans.
Title: Re: Etching
Post by: WhiteHare on March 12, 2017, 03:54:27 PM
You can buy rolls of it at Lowes or Home Depot.
Title: Re: Etching
Post by: stern0m1 on March 12, 2017, 03:59:57 PM
I figured, so i tried, but the stuff i bought seems like was coated with something, i had to scrubb it off with paint thinner.
Do you have a specific product that you know is not coated?

Thanks
Title: Re: Etching
Post by: WhiteHare on March 12, 2017, 04:04:07 PM
I bought some coiled aluminum from Lowes once to make a homemade version of a Super Dust Deputy, and I don't recall it being coated with anything.  It was definitely thicker gauge than soda can aluminum though.  If not Lowes or Home Depot, then some other building supply store should have the material that you want, but I can't say if they'll have the gauge that you'll want.

Otherwise, try a local metal broker.  Or on-line.  Even Amazon probably.  You don't need much of it.  Almost anything you're likely to buy will be vastly more than you'll need.