Thread: DIY Electro-etcher..

Here is a link to a simple design Knife Network : Workshop - Build an Electro-Etch Machine

I am thinking a car battery charger would be ideal to convert, cheap enough and with amperage to spare

I am thinking a car battery charger would be ideal to convert, cheap enough and with amperage to spare[/QUOTE]

I'd be real careful using a battery charger. I tried using one to "reverse plating" clean a razor, and it "melted" when it accidentally touched the tin can. Way too much amperage, I think!

Silver solder is definatly the answer. there are specialist companys that do this often for either specialist gas usage and air conditioning. or replacing teeth on tugsten tipped cutters though I would look for a air-con installer who will charge very little to do this job for you "its a 5 minit job" and the silver solder used in his line of work is of a lower melting point which is more suited to use with copper .Alternativly solder on a lug drill a hole in the stainless and bolt togther preferably with a brass bolt for greater electro conductivity. hope this helps.

Wiring diagram for etcher would be nice

Awesome job but you spent 6$ to much by going to RadioShack lol. But seriously, I'm gonna try this when I get home tonight loos great!

I am also putting one together. I have an etching pen and the fluid and transfer package coming from Janz. I'll post specifics after a test run.

An alternative idea.

My dads factory made etch marker has a carbon block rather than stainless. If I remember right it has a copper rod that goes through the handle and into a hole drilled in the carbon block to make the contact. Then the wire is attached to the end of the rod. If you have a piece of carbon block from a welding shop or an old soldering block you could go that route.

You could also use a little thicker piece of stainless and just not the let the hole for the rod go all the way through. Make it a snug press fit so you have good contact.

Ray