Ok, so we decided to try some electrolytic etching and machining today. Here is the order of events so far.
- Find images to etch
- create some new images
- combine images into one for easy printing
- cut glossy pages out of an unneeded magazine
- print out graphics
- realize that you forgot to invert the graphics
- invert and re-print the pictures
- clean the brass plates with souring pad and methylated spirits
- tape the graphics to the brass, printed side down
- iron the lot, hoping that the toner from the print will melt and stick to the brass.
- take the tape off… carefully
- soak in hot water to loosen the paper
- carefully scrub remnants of paper off with fingers and a sponge
- re-touch bits that didnt stick with a pertinent marker
- spray the back of the plates with spray paint to insulate them
- fill a large container with hot water
- hook a piece of scrap metal mesh on one side of the container as an electrode
- find a nice big power supply
- find a plug for the power supply and fit it to the cable
- attach brass plate to side of container and wire it to the power supply
- wire the mesh to the other power supply terminal
- turn on power
- notice not much happening
- add salt to water and watch the current flow. lots of bubbles
- notice lots of green gunk on the water surface
- eventualy get board and remove plate
- notice that all thats happened is that toner and the spray paint have flaked off the plate
- realise that the power terminals are the wrong way around(arrrg)
- connect second plate the right way around
- watch more bubbles and gunk
- notice 3 different colour bands in the solution
- notice that the current is dropping
- decide to replace solution
- notice that something has happened to the plate but not enough
- mupwI’ decides to use the method to cut through a much bigger metal plate
- all goes well. lots of bubbles
- mupwI’ decides that it needs to go faster and adds more salt
- current rises to around 15 Amps
- fuse in the power supply calls it quits
- SB gets board, washes his hands and types everything up in his blog
oh well, so that’s been my Saturday so far. I’m feeling exhausted now, though it was a fun experiment. I’ll do some more research and try again another day. The weather service says that the its gonna be nice and warm again tomorrow so I think I’ll head to the beach for a bit.
cya
SB