[R-390] Name plates

[Barry Hauser]

Hi Forrest & gang.

I had the same thought, due to an experience I had the first time I rolled
my own PC board a few decades ago.  I figured the etchant was supposed to
dissolve copper so it would be OK to use an aluminum pie plate.  NOT!  The
etchant has a much greater appetite for aluminum.  I'll never forget it ---
<pour><silence> ... sizzle! (WOW, this stuff works fast!) followed by a
WHOOSH! and a big cloud of acrid smoke.  The copper on the board was yet
untouched, but the bottom of the pie plate was gone.

Actually, most of the tags are embossed, with the black area etched or
stamped down and filled with black paint.  If my accidental aluminum-etch
method would work, then you can apply resist ink or transfer to what will be
the lettering (raised raw aluminum) and leave the other areas exposed.  I
suppose the back should be resist-inked over also.

Just dip the piece for a few seconds and take it out.  If not enough, dip it
again. Then clean off all the echant and resist ink, and fill the etched
down area with black paint.  Squeegie off the excess paint to exposed the
aluminum lettering, then finish off with some fine grit sandpaper after it
dries and cures.

Or -- get yourself a repro tag from Hank Arney.

Barry non-Williams

----- Original Message -----
From: "Forrest Myers" <femyers@attglobal.net>
To: "r-390" <r-390@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, July 11, 2003 3:01 PM
Subject: [R-390] Name plates


> Hello All,
>  My r-390A was manufactured by Capehart. It did not arrive with a name
plate
> and I've been looking around for a Capehart plate but haven't come across
> any. However, I did find a picture of one on the web. Had a bright idea,
why
> not make one?
> Figured I could fix up the image of the name plate from the internet and
use
> it to photographically reproduce one. I thought I'd use the methods used
for
> photo etching printed circuit boards. The main difference would be that I
> wouldn't want to etch the metal away but just make it black. Does anyone
on
> the list know what chemical would be used to cause aluminum to turn black?
> Would it have to be done with electrolysis? Any help would be appreciated.
>
> Forrest Myers
> AG4ND
>
>
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