Blacksmithing - Ferric Chloride For Etching More Than Just Damascus

A brief tutorial on etching designs into steel with ferric chloride.

[@chuckmorris6003]

Good vid. Thanks for the instruction.

[@serendipityforge333]

Thanks much

[@malcolmnesky9897]

That's great! I've been playing with a template machine and batteries and vinager water and it's been a real hit and miss mess... this is sooooo much better! Great info bro!

[@serendipityforge333]

You’re very welcome sir. Always glad to help.

[@johnblanton9845]

Great info , thanks for sharing

[@serendipityforge333]

You’re very welcome, sir.

[@f1pitpass]

thanks for the info! subbed.

[@serendipityforge333]

Thank you very much

[@y-notforge8913]

..Perty cool Robert, not to mention simple. Wax on, wax off...

[@serendipityforge333]

Thank you sir. Both wax on and wax off can be equally aggravating when it doesn’t run in the right direction and coat the steel the way you want it to.

[@safecracker45]

learning more ideas and how to's

[@serendipityforge333]

Excellent! I like helping folks.

[@danmcpherson1068]

So realistically if I wanted to darken my entire blade I could just submerge it in FeCl for an hour or so? It’s just a plain 14c28n steel Kershaw leek blade

[@serendipityforge333]

That should do it. If you want it even darker a few hours in a strong instant coffee solution should work

[@toddheil42]

How well does or would this work on etching stainless steel sockets? i.e. etching the fractions or millimeter sizes to make them easier to read correctly?

[@serendipityforge333]

No idea. I’ve never tried it on stainless.

[@cankurdzen4287]

Ferric hidrochlor gun bluing??

[@serendipityforge333]

It’s used to etch circuit boards also.

[@BlueLineofthesky]

Is it true that electro etching with salt is dangerous?

[@serendipityforge333]

I’d say it depends on what equipment you’re using.

[@BlueLineofthesky]

@@serendipityforge333 Hi. I have a laboratory power supply with alligator clips and cotton buds, table salt and demineralized water. The logo I try to etch is small, about 25 mm x 15 mm. I want to achieve about 0,3-0,5 mm depth. The resist is vinyl (Oracal) but I am thinking to also try toner from my laser printer.

[@serendipityforge333]

I’ve experimented with vinyl resists and using batteries as a power supply. It worked fine for me, it was just not something I enjoyed. Just keep everything insulated and don’t make yourself part of the circuit and you’ll be fine. Remember to keep your amperage low because it’s amperage that kills.

[@BlueLineofthesky]

@@serendipityforge333 Thank you for your reply. I was concerned about the gas release...like chlorine or hydrogen.

[@serendipityforge333]

@@BlueLineofthesky I always do any kind of etching in a well ventilated area.