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Nancy L.T. Hamilton
Welcome to: In the Studio with Nancy
Newsletter
Volume 13 - Etching |
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The Etching Novel
 The Wedding Bracelet by me. Etched with the E3 Etch system.
I did not intend this newsletter to be so meaty. But, I get started and can't find a way to stop. If it wasn't for cats whining for food, I'd be at my desk all day and night. If I've inundated you, I apologize. Just think of it as a partial year's worth of information, all rolled into one newsletter. I'll try to keep up on them but, I ain't promising nuthin'! Thanks for joining me.
New Videos
 First, the advertising! Check out my video on Craftsy: Prong Settings from Start to Finish. Here's a trailer for the class.
In this class I show you how to make a simple prong setting using tubing. Then I move on to a simplified version of a prong setting: the simple basket. Lastly, I build a traditional prong setting. As usual, there's a lot of information.
 Ring made using the simple prong setting demonstrated in my video.
Hey, don't forget that oldie but, goodie: The Riveted Portrait Pendant video. In the video I demonstrate how to make these, extremely versatile and easily changeable, pendants. I also show how to make some of my favorite chains. As a subscriber you should have received a discount of 15%. Check your old emails. 
Sorry this Newsletter is so LATE!!!!
I've been doing a lot more posting on Facebook and I got sidetracked! Alas. If you have any questions, please ask them, either in a private message or a post, on my Facebook page. I have so many backed up emails that I'll probably never answer them all! So, send your questions to FB, please.
Etching
Electrical Etching
Sherri Haab has created an electrical etching system for jewelers. It is called the E3 Etch. There are ways to make your own electrical etching system. Although, you should have some electrical experience or a mad scientist child/friend/partner/pet. See "More on Etching" at the end of the letter.
A small bitch: The E3 used to be a lot cheaper but, they added the electroforming part so, it went up a bunch in price. I think it was about 195.00 (for the controller and the kit) back when. Now, it's $295.00 for just the controller. But, for me, electrical etching is da bomb! It's clean, easy and fast - especially for silver.
I source my chemicals from the Science Company. You can get 10 grams of silver nitrate (for etching silver) for $23.50 USD. If using an electrical etching system, coat or tape your aluminum wire so that it doesn't contaminate the fluid.
If you are using copper, brass or mild steel, you'll need copper/cupric sulfate pentahydrate. They (you know, those guys) will not allow this chemical to get on a plane so, if you live in Hawaii, Alaska (I think) or anywhere outside of the USA, you'll have to source it where you reside.
You'll also need foam spacers, to keep the metal off of the bottom of the pan, a stainless steel pan 6" x 6" or larger. I believe they are called steam pans. You can probably find some at a resale shop too. You can also just buy the kit from Sherri Haab.
 Beautiful! Etched and enameled. By Sue Brown.
Ferric Chloride Based Etchants
Ferric Chloride (aka: Iron III Chloride) PCB Etchant Solution, can be found at electronics suppliers like Radio Shack or on Amazon, among many other places. These products are generally a 5% solution - which just means they will be slower. The Science Company carries a 40% Ferric Chloride solution. The 40% solution is not allowed on a plane - it can only be shipped by ground.
Open Chemistry Database offers a more detailed explanation of what ferric chloride is, as well as Wikipedia (nach!) It is classified as a Lewis Acid. (I don't know what that means either!)
Ferric Chloride works best when warm - about 100°. That said, it's a pretty slow etch. You can purchase a fish bubbler to move the solution around, which speeds it up a bit. You can also just agitate the container by shaking (not you, the container). There are a ton of videos on the Tube about etching circuit boards - take what you need from them and apply them to jewelry making! See the Edinburgh Etch, below for a faster bite.
Neutralizing Ferric Chloride
Neutralize with washing soda. AKA: Sodium Carbonate, Soda Crystals or Soda Ash. Sodium carbonate is not the same thing as baking soda. They are related though and often have Thanksgiving dinner together. Family disputes are usually, monumental. The washing soda (sodium carbonate) is much more effective at neutralizing the ferric chloride compared to baking soda (sodium bicarbonate).
Hey, did you know that you can make your own washing soda/sodium carbonate by baking, the baking soda, in the oven at 400°F. Don't mix it with flour, eggs or sugar or you'll gain weight while etching and all, that agitating the container, will have been for naught!
You can also just, outright, purchase the stuff. Arm & Hammer makes one called "Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda". Sodium carbonate can also be used to remove rust!
You can also use SpaGuard Spa PH Increaser as it is composed of 100% Sodium Carbonate. Many other spa products will work too - just make sure it contains only sodium carbonate.
Wear a mask, eye protection and gloves when using and add the powder slowly to prevent over-foaming.
 Sue Brown.
Edinburgh Etch
The Edinburgh Etch is similar to straight ferric chloride but adds a few chemicals into the mix. Here's the recipe:
Edinburgh Etch for Copper and Brass
4/5 saturated ferric chloride solution (40%)
+ 1/5 citric acid solution,
which consists of 3/4 tap water
+ 1/4 citric acid powder (anhydrous)
This works out to:
6l saturated ferric chloride solution (40%)
+ 1,2 litres of tap water
+ 400ml citric acid powder (by volume)
(this equals 400g powder)
Here's one link regarding the Edinburgh Etch.
One More Method (but, there are more still)
You can also try this solution made from muriatic acid and peroxide (I haven't tried it yet.) found at Instructables.
Safety - for all products
- Gloves
- Goggles
- Masks
- Ventilation
- Safety, safety, safety!
Research the MSDS on all products before using.
Resists
I'm not going into this part too much but, I did want to mention that Industrial Sharpies work much better than regular for drawing and etching. Also, see my webpage (link below) on using Photopolymer resists. You can also use stamp pad ink like: Tsukineko StazOn Jet Black Multi-Surface Solvent Ink Stamp Pad. There is also PCB Transfer Paper, PnP Paper, Nail Art Stamps and photopolymer resists like Purtech - among others. See "More on Etching" below.
 Copper Madonna by yours truly!
More on Etching
Okay, I have to quit. Time for the couch! Hope you enjoyed the newsletter!
Happy etching! Nancy
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