I tried to find a thread awhile back where you mentioned a custom etch on some knives. I use Marking Methods stencil for my makers mark but have been playing with photo resist from
photoez stencil (http://www.cbridge.com/cat02.htm)
for my custom stencils... problem is that I am only getting once use per stencil on these.
What are you (or anyone else) using for your custom stencils?

My supplier went belly up. I have been talking to IMG-Electromark (http://www.img-electromark.com/) They have a blue stencil that if taken care of properly will give several hundred marks. They sent me a sample and a small unexposed piece. I exposed the new piece and it worked well.

Send Patricia and e-mail at pbruno@img-electromark.com that's who I have been talking with.

Their prices:
Blue permanent photo stencil material, the price is $12.00 per sheet ( 8 1/2 x 11sheet)
The developer is $20.00 a gallon. It is water based.
The stainless steel electrolyte is mostly priced at $7.25 a quart. You may need an SC-44 or an Electrolyte 94.
The Neutralyte is $7.25 a quart.

Patricia can help you decide what to get for your application.



I just recently sent her an e-mail to order some of the blue so hopefully I will get some soon.

Peter,

Yes it will. What we are talking about is making our own stencils. The stencil material is photo sensitive and you create your logo and print it on clear plastic. Put that down and then the photo sensitive material and expose it, develop it and you have a stencil you made yourself. It is great for your logos and for those "Happy 25th Anniverersary" type marks people ask if you can do.

If you go to my web site here, My electro-etch stencil maker directions (http://warnerknives.com/electroetch.htm) There are instructions on how to make an exposure unit and it also explains "HOW" the process works. The manufactures of the electroetch machines don't want you to know the process and won't tell you. They want to sell you a $1500 unit and then they will explain it. I figured it out and made my own unit for about $40 if I remember correctly.

Bob, I looked at your site and made a light box. Not as nice as yours, but it still works fine. I used a pvc type electric box, something like 8"x10"x5". It had a screw on cover that I simply reversed and use duct tape for a hinge. The light box table was some scrap translucent plexi I picked up for $2. I bought a lamp rewire kit for a few bucks and the flourescent bulb was something like $6 or $7. I probably have $25 in the whole thing. Your site helped on that. Thanks.

I'm here to help. Feel free to come back with other stuff, we will figure it out.

Bob, have you had a chance to try the photo resist from IMG yet?
I've requested info once and they haven't sent any. I'll have to break down and call them I guess.
Tracy

I expect to receive my photo resist any day. Will try it this weekend and let you know how it goes.

I am having computer problems and don't know any guru's in my area, so if I don't get back right away, don't get discouraged.

I edited the e-mail for Patricia at IMG-Electromark.