[TheForge] Etchant strength

[Bob Ehrenberger]

Daniel,

Yes you need to dilute the acid. We do ours 3 or 4 parts water to 1 part
acid.  If you don't it is too agrisive and etches both metals the same so it
doesn't reveal the pattern.  If you watch it, after a few minutes you can
tell that it isn't working any more so you need to rinse the blade in clean
water and scrub off the black oxide (600 grit wet/dry), then back into the
acid.  Repeat as many times as it takes to get it as deep as you want.  When
you are done soak in a baking soda solution to nutrlize the acid on the
blade.

Robert Ehrenberger
Shelbyville, Mo.

++++ Original Message ++++
Date: Fri, 10 Sep 2004 07:37:22 -0500
From: Daniel Kretchmar <irontree at visi.com>
Subject: [TheForge] Etchant strength

Greetings all,
      I am making an etching tank for my damascus blades.  I copied Mike
Blue's
PVC tube design. (Thanks Mike)

I purchased some etchant from Radio Shack.  Am I supposed to use this stuff
at
full strength or am I supposed to dilute it?  Anyone?

Also what do I do with the stuff once it it no longer usable.  I figure it
will
last a long time since I don't make that many blades, but I also know that
this
stuff does eventually weaken with use.....How do I dispose of this safely?
I
grow food on my property and I have shallow well, so dumping it is right
out...anyone?


Daniel Kretchmar