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Fit & Finish Fit and Finish = the difference in "good art" and "fine art." Join in, as we discuss the fine art of finish and embellishment.

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  #1  
Old 09-13-2013, 04:02 PM
dwc34205 dwc34205 is offline
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How to build??? Variable Voltage Etcher

There appears to be a good bit of information floating around on how to build static or solid state etchers, but I have not found much on how to build one that you can vary the voltage. So, that leads me to my questions.

1) How do you build one to where you can vary the voltage?
2) Is there any reason that a person would need to vary the current? See commercial anodizing unit in Reactive Metals catalogue.

I want to build this so that it serves as a dual purpose machine. Etch my mark on the blade and be able to anodize titanium. Thanks for your time.
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Old 09-13-2013, 06:51 PM
TJ Smith TJ Smith is offline
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I had a personalizer (at 12 volts)but didn't feel it had enough power. I added the 25 volt transformer from radio shack which gave me 25 volts a/c and 24 dc. To hot, smoked the stencils.
Plugged the whole unit into a dimmer switch and ran it at 18 volts. Just about right.
Use a q-tip and hardly have any haze around the finished etch.
Take care TJ

PS use the Cris Crawford plans


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Old 09-14-2013, 04:54 PM
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GHNorfleet GHNorfleet is offline
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I built mine with some modifications from the crawford unit. I can switch mine from 12v to 24v and either ac or dc. you need a good variac to use for titanium or you can buid one. I have plans to buid one but haven't had the time to do it yet.


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Old 09-14-2013, 04:59 PM
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GHNorfleet GHNorfleet is offline
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Bob Warners video is a great one that will help you build a unit to either etch your blade or anodize titanium. Go to his website and purchase you a copy of his DVD, you won't be disappointed. I refer back to mine all the time.


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Old 09-15-2013, 08:46 PM
dwc34205 dwc34205 is offline
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TJ and Gilbert,

Thanks for the replies. I have seen the video but was unsure of how useful it would be. I will give it a try. I assume the video shows how to add dimmer switch or a powerwstat.?.?
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Old 09-16-2013, 11:01 PM
TJ Smith TJ Smith is offline
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No plans just plug your unit into the dimmer switch as if it were an outlet. Measure the volts output with a voltage meter set volts anywhere you want 16-18 seems best.
if your q-tip or pad starts to bubble lift it. try not to let it bubble. You'll acquire the right touch with practice.
Take care
TJ


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Old 09-17-2013, 10:00 PM
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Don Robinson Don Robinson is offline
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I bought a used Variac years ago and made my own using parts from Radio Shack. Cheap, if you can find a Variac.
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Old 10-03-2013, 06:54 AM
NicolasBrow NicolasBrow is offline
 
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Location: London
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Don Robinson View Post
I bought a used Variac years ago and made my own using parts from Radio Shack. Cheap, if you can find a Variac.
Hey buddy! How much you paid for that used Variac? I am also thinking to buy one.
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Old 01-07-2021, 11:15 PM
mariazoe594 mariazoe594 is offline
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I also bought years ago and made my own using parts from RadioShack. You can also try yourself.
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Old 06-02-2021, 02:56 AM
melia164 melia164 is offline
 
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Wow great
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anodizing, back, blade, build, ca, crawford, etch, hot, how to, knife, made, titanium, video


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