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The S.R. "Steve" Johnson Forum Specialized knife making tips, technique and training for "ultra precision" design work enthusiasts. |
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#1
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Stencil use?
Have we discussed this before? Can't remember when it was, if we did.
Of course many do not etch trademarks on their blades, but for those who do can I ask: How many marks do you push a stencil in marking your blades? I've gotten as many as 20 in the past, but am now wondering if I'd be money and time ahead (Same thing, I know) to limit it to 6-7 and then just toss them. Then I won't have to polish out a bad mark and re-etch.... Which takes much more time (and money) than another new stencil would have. __________________ http://www.srjknives.com NRA Endowment Member Knifemakers' Guild Member since 1971 "May you live all the days of your life." - Jonathan Swift Last edited by Steve; 06-23-2006 at 02:11 AM. |
#2
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Hello Steve
In the past I have pushed the stencils way too far and like you have paid for it with alot of extra work. I just ordered a new set of stencils from IMG and have marked six blades with the first one and the sixth mark was as clean as the first. But I,m sure I will try to use this one too long and I'll let you know when they start getting fuzzy. I wish I could throw them out after five or six marks but just can't do it, I guess I learned too well from my dad while growing up, use it till its gone. Take Care Charles |
#3
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I just talked to Patricia at IMG about the details of using their stencil material. She taught me a lot. I had bought a set of their stencil material and was having trouble getting a good mark. I make my own stencils.
One of the things she said was that their stencils were capable of making 50 to 500 marks. She says the number depends on keeping the stencil clean and stored in the dark. Any light decreases the life of the stencil. Have you been keeping your stencils in an envelope beteen two pieces of cardboard so they're protected from the light? |
#4
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Thanks, Charles and Don. Good input. I keep the ones that I'm not using in the dark, but not the ones that I'm working with, currently. Maybe I'd better change my ways and put them in a cardboard folder, or something, and that may extend life somewhat. Thanks again.
__________________ http://www.srjknives.com NRA Endowment Member Knifemakers' Guild Member since 1971 "May you live all the days of your life." - Jonathan Swift |
#5
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Steve, I believe the answer to this is the same as it is for many things in knife making. Nless you are trying something, you go with what you know will give the best results . Frank
__________________ Without collectors there would not be makers. |
#6
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Steve I seem to remember someone in a thread that had airbrushed their stencil with a cleaning solution to take the buildup out of it to get more marks from the stencil. Maybe this will strike a light for someone with more knowledge. Mike
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#7
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Just got my second order of stencils from Lectroetch. Great product, great people, Dave Badt is soooooo patient!
Lectroetch P: 440-934-1249 - F: 440-934-1293 - E: sales@lectroetch.com __________________ http://www.srjknives.com NRA Endowment Member Knifemakers' Guild Member since 1971 "May you live all the days of your life." - Jonathan Swift |
#8
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You should always keep them inthe dark but dry them off first. I have seen some guys just put them in a folder after etching.
You can use a $15 jewelry cleaner to vibrate water to clean them. They will look like new after each cleaning. They will last longer if you keep them perfectly white and not steel grit black. Do all your etching under yellow bug lights. You can see well but yellow light does not continue to expose the stencil, leaving like it was when you first used it. |
#9
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Thanks, Bob. Good points, never gone so far as to use bug lights, might be worth a try, though I've gotten as many as 20 etches from mine, am expecting more, on the average, from these new ones. Hope you are doing well!
__________________ http://www.srjknives.com NRA Endowment Member Knifemakers' Guild Member since 1971 "May you live all the days of your life." - Jonathan Swift |
#10
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Doing pretty well Steve.
Today I picked up a surface grinder in trade for helping sell some equipment. Now I have to figure out how to get it off my trailer. Hopefully I will not have to sell this one like I did the last one I got. |
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knife, knife making |
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