I'm etching, ---- What the heck?

[jonwelder]

Hey Guys, I broke down and bought the "Electro" etching machine! I had some fancy custom stencils made, on the blue plastic stuff. My mark is about 1/2" square, and I cut the plastic down fairly small, so I could put it in "close" to handles/guards. I'm using the "good" stuff electric tape to tape it down on the blade, using new tape, clean surface ect. When I pull the stencil off, at the 4 corners of the stencil, I'm getting 4 tiny marks-specks burned on the blade. Where is this coming from, as I'm being careful not to have any other metal showing, and trying to cover everything else to prevent it from marking where I don't want it!!! What the heck is going on??? Too much electrolyte-? I try to only keep the pad damp... How could it be leaking through all that tape?????? --------Jon

[SVanderkolff]

I would you suggest you try the same setup on a flat piece of scrap steel and see how that works. I founf theat unless I really worked the corners of the e-tape there would be small leaks at the corners.
Steve

[TJ Smith]

Electrolyte is running out to the edges and you are getting an etch there.
Try either less electrolyte or a shorter etch strike. Like 123 lift
I think I am going to try the q tip method mentioned by several guys here on the forum. Should eliminate the problem.
TJ

[Ray Rogers]

Change to Scotch tape instead of the electrical tape. The e-tape is too stiff and it's forming a tunnel at the intersection on the corners, just enough to let a bit of electrolyte get through would be my guess.

Also, leave the blue section of the stencil as large as possible, cut only the one side you need to cut. If you have a clear border around the blue part you'll need to tape over that too. Any tiny scratch or pin hole will make a black mark .....

[jonwelder]

Thanks guys, I'll try the tape, and less electrolyte, got more knives to do tomorrow! ----Jon

[David A]

I don't know if this would work, but auto body stores sell a 3M tape that's used as masking when they paint designs on cars. I've used it for other things, and if you use one that's not very wide, it's very easy to "bend" it around corners, and it seals well. But I'd try it on a piece of scrap metal first.

[CJS Knives]

good infomation guys!
i had some troubles when i first started using the electro etcher too. after talking to some guys, i got it strightened out.
try to leave the stencil as big as possible. i only cut one side close to the logo and that is the side that goes close to the bolster. i also use scotch tape on the oposite side of the stencil to hold it on. that way i can lift the stencil up and see how good it is. if i need to apply more, then i can.

hope this helps!!!

[argel55]

Just dampen the pad you etch with - don't soak it too much