safe way to etch small details

[Thalan the Exiled]

I found a tutorial that explained how to etch using a vinigar and salt solution and a power source. It didn't use the usual dip the whole piece in a bucket method I have found. It used a cotton swab to control the etching. Basically you mix up some vinigar and salt. Then you use a 12v 500ma-1000ma dc power supply. Put the positive on the piece and the negative you wrap around the swab about a 1/4" away from the tip but still touching ths cotton. Dip the wrapped tip in the solution and then use it to etch your piece. I use basic electrical tape to mask off ghe design. And I also had some text printed in vinyl I used too. It turned out pretty good with very little effort. I think a higher ma would make it go faster but the 500ma I used only took about an hour to do all the etching I did. Now if you want a deep etch you will bee better off using the soak method. But the same solution will work for that as well, I read. Here are a few pics of what I did
http://i61.tinypic.com/fvi4ud.jpg
http://i59.tinypic.com/1fbiu8.jpg

[Silver Serpent]

Not bad work. I've played around with that method a bit myself. It works on a number of metals, not just aluminum.

[Thalan the Exiled]

Yeah I actually tested it out on a pair of pliars. I didn't have any spare aluminum and I wanted to make sure the tape I had would hold a clean edge. I did some on the main part of my saber to make it look like it was pjeced together. When I made this saber I just build what I liked. It turned out to look alot like the First Blade from swtor.
http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb2...irst_Blade.png
So i decided to give mine a similar pieced together look. I need to add more detail but when it is done I will post a full set of pics. You can see it without and etch work by loooking here http://forums.thecustomsabershop.com...st-saber-build. I posted this under my old profile.

[hapki]

I was just about to look that method up. I have a shout I have done a lot of work on. I want to etch some small details, but I'm reluctant to put the whole thing in. I think this is much safer. Thanks!

[Thalan the Exiled]

Just make sure you are in a well vented area the fumes are semi-toxic

[Thalan the Exiled]

Here aome photos of the completed etching.
http://i59.tinypic.com/oglw75.jpg
http://i58.tinypic.com/312e2bn.jpg
http://i60.tinypic.com/24mszkz.jpg
http://i62.tinypic.com/99kwzq.jpg

I still have some painting to do but I have to wait for warmer weather

[Evilpancreas]

That's a really, really cool method of engraving. I'm definitely going to use this on my next build, thanks a ton for posting this!

[Thalan the Exiled]

No problem. I know how scary it can be just thinking about plunging a piece of your saber into a etching solution. I spent days trying go convince myself it would be ok. Then I found this. It may not be the best way, but it is a safe way. Just don't expect to get deep etching. This is more for the lighter stuff. If you take your time and work steadily you will get a nice even etch.

[solaren]

Looks great! What did you use to mask off the letters?

[Thalan the Exiled]

Those were printed on vinyl for me by a very kind forum member. They would have been impossible to dk with out his help. Now you could take the time and tape the whole piece off and then cut them oht with an exacto knife, but that would be some time consuming work. Or you could just find a website that offers vinyl printing. Or ask on here and ssee if the kind one, or any other fine soul, will help.