Lampwork Etc.
 
Send a PM to CorriDawn!

LE Live Chat

Enter Live Chat

No users in chat


The Flow

Beads of Courage


 

Go Back   Lampwork Etc. > Library > Tutorials > Free Tutorials

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 2009-02-03, 7:04pm
Beadbug's Avatar
Beadbug Beadbug is offline
Anyone need some spacers?
 
Join Date: Oct 08, 2005
Location: Pennfield, MI
Posts: 3,060
Default Copper Etching with Salt

I learned how to do the salt etch at our fellow LEr, Cristabman house and it's so nice not to worry about the chemicals since I am a klutz.

Disclamer... I am in no way a pro at this just sharing what worked for me, use this tutorial at your own risk .

Setup is easy and cheap,

Kosher salt and water I used hot tap water but was told distilled is the way to go. Just saturate the hot water with as much salt as it will hold.

I used a square glass nut jar

Heavy copper wire for leads from the power source to the jar it looks like 18 gauge that I used

Copper I have just used the stuff from Hobby Lobby

Fish tank bubbler from Wal-Mart

Now for the scary part, I did this and am no way telling you it is safe but it worked. I cut the end off of an AC to DC charger, this is what it says on the little black box that plugs into the wall,

Class 2 Transformer
Input 120V ac 60Hz 10W
Output 12V DC 500mA

Strip about an inch of the wire lead and use electrical tape to attach it to 4" heavy copper wire leads. Make an s shape out of the wire so it hangs over the edge of the glass jar and you can hang the copper from the bottom section of the S that will hang in your salt solution. These will need to be replaced as they get etched through.

Use your resist of choice to draw your design onto your copper, I used sharpie but it didn’t hold on as long as I would have liked.

Hang 2 pieces of copper in the jar sitting directly across from each other, the side that bubbles gets left in the side that didn't gets the copper you want to etch. If someone can help a girl out is the side that bubbles the positive or negative side?

The electrical part can also come from a battery if you don't want to walk on the wild side.

I left the copper in the mix for 20 min but would leave in longer if my sharpie would have held.
This is smaller than the photo's turned out maybe 2.5"x3.5"


The brighter color is where the sharpie was and is the higher part of the design.
__________________
Tracy
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Last edited by Beadbug; 2009-02-03 at 7:06pm.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 2009-02-03, 7:05pm
KEW KEW is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 25, 2006
Location: Chicago suburb
Posts: 1,831
Default

Lovely!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 2009-02-03, 7:19pm
encantado encantado is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 05, 2005
Location: Clackamas, Oregon
Posts: 623
Default

Very pretty!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 2009-02-03, 8:10pm
playswithfire104's Avatar
playswithfire104 playswithfire104 is offline
Dangerous Woman
 
Join Date: Nov 21, 2005
Location: Southcentral PA
Posts: 5,018
Default

Oh man my brain is spinning from all of these new ideas! Thanks!
__________________
Nancy

May your torch burn brightly and your oxy never run out. - Karen Hardy


On a Cheetah with a hurricane Still have my Lynx as a back up.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 2009-02-04, 7:01am
missbatteries's Avatar
missbatteries missbatteries is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 11, 2006
Location: TX
Posts: 586
Default

Tracy,
Could you post a picture of your setup?
-Elaine
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 2009-02-04, 7:10am
shawnette's Avatar
shawnette shawnette is offline
I fart diamonds
 
Join Date: Jun 14, 2005
Location: Altamonte Springs, FL
Posts: 3,893
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by missbatteries View Post
Tracy,
Could you post a picture of your setup?
-Elaine
Lol! I was just about to say the same thing. I'm a little unsure of this part, so a photo would help:

Quote:
Strip about an inch of the wire lead and use electrical tape to attach it to 4" heavy copper wire leads. Make an s shape out of the wire so it hangs over the edge of the glass jar and you can hang the copper from the bottom section of the S that will hang in your salt solution. These will need to be replaced as they get etched through.
Thanks!!!
__________________
-Shawnette
the original "everybody get a grip" girl

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 2009-02-04, 7:41am
KayTStudio's Avatar
KayTStudio KayTStudio is offline
Wait.....what?
 
Join Date: Oct 28, 2007
Location: Ypsilanti
Posts: 756
Default

This is interesting but I don't understand where you used the fish tank bubbler?
__________________
Katie

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 2009-02-04, 7:56am
Rose Leslie's Avatar
Rose Leslie Rose Leslie is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 10, 2005
Location: Manhattan,KS the land of Purple Pride
Posts: 7,718
Default

Couldn't you use one of the electro forming kits for this?
__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Rose Leslie
_____________________________________
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 2009-02-04, 9:01am
Melodie's Avatar
Melodie Melodie is offline
Hole Challenged
 
Join Date: Jun 14, 2005
Location: Swampland south of New Orleans
Posts: 656
Default

Thanks so much for posting this, I can't wait to try this method!!!

Fantastic piece, I love it.

I wonder if the PNP would work with this also? When doing the edges of my chemically etched caps I found that fingernail polish worked much better than the marker. I was getting iffy coverage with the marker also, it didn't seem to hold up with a deep etch.
__________________
Melodie
"A friend hears the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails" -anonymous

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 2009-02-04, 12:07pm
Art of Hand's Avatar
Art of Hand Art of Hand is offline
Formerly Deesigned Beads
 
Join Date: Aug 29, 2006
Location: Cape town, South Africa
Posts: 612
Default

Tracey, it really sounds interesting, but I an a bit challanged, and a picture of your setup would really help me to translate words into a understandable setup that I could safely attempt!
thanks for your trouble to share this! it is way cool!
__________________
Diana

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 2009-02-04, 2:43pm
Diane (clarus) Diane (clarus) is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 03, 2006
Location: San Francisco Peninsula, CA
Posts: 1,034
Default

Melodie, this is the same technique as in the Nov. 2008 Art Jewelry Magazine, where they used the PNP paper. Go for it!

-Diane
__________________
-Diane

My Facebook business page:
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

GTT Bobcat or Carlisle Lucio on an Integra 10
(and sometimes I pull out my HotHead!)
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 2009-02-04, 2:44pm
Diane (clarus) Diane (clarus) is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 03, 2006
Location: San Francisco Peninsula, CA
Posts: 1,034
Default

Rose Leslie, yes, you can use the electroforming rectifier. Tink said to simply reverse the wires and you're all set. All this talk about it has me getting my stuff together to try it myself. Thanks for the inspiration, everyone!

-Diane
__________________
-Diane

My Facebook business page:
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

GTT Bobcat or Carlisle Lucio on an Integra 10
(and sometimes I pull out my HotHead!)
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 2009-02-04, 5:38pm
lavendar420's Avatar
lavendar420 lavendar420 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 08, 2006
Posts: 1,025
Default

I'm intrigued about using this as an electroforming setup... I'm kind of non-electrical myself though.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 2009-02-04, 5:43pm
Beadbug's Avatar
Beadbug Beadbug is offline
Anyone need some spacers?
 
Join Date: Oct 08, 2005
Location: Pennfield, MI
Posts: 3,060
Default

PnP paper would be wonderful. How fine do those finger nail polish detail pens come? They may be just perfect for this type of thing.

The fish tank bubbler just goes into the salt water to keep it churned up.

An electro forming kit would be wonderful for this but most don't have one. I have one but it is at a friends house.

Christa just told me that your copper plates should be close to the same size and works well if you have them close together in the solution. Mine where not on my first try and it worked ok, but maybe you will get a deeper etch quicker if they are so it's worth a try.


This is the salt water after just one etch YUCK but it isn't dead yet so I will use it again. You can pour it out into something else and let the yuck settle out then pour the good stuff back in.
__________________
Tracy
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Last edited by Beadbug; 2009-02-04 at 6:01pm.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 2009-02-08, 2:22pm
missbatteries's Avatar
missbatteries missbatteries is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 11, 2006
Location: TX
Posts: 586
Default

Thanks for the visual Tracy--it really helped!
-Elaine
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 2009-02-08, 9:28pm
bellavistaglass's Avatar
bellavistaglass bellavistaglass is offline
Senior Moment
 
Join Date: Sep 30, 2005
Location: The Sunny Okanagan Valley
Posts: 177
Default

Yep a picture does speak volumes, Have had some problems visualizing the setup...Thanks!
Patricia
__________________
Patricia Doyle
Bella Vista Glass

Nortel Mega Minor w/ EX 15 Oxy Con

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 2009-02-09, 5:05am
Anne Ricketts's Avatar
Anne Ricketts Anne Ricketts is offline
Detail G-Mama!
 
Join Date: Jun 10, 2005
Location: Longview, WA
Posts: 7,130
Default

That looks pretty cool! Fairly inexpensive also I would think! Thanks for showing this! Wonder what a peice looks like after some time with oxidation?
__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 2009-02-09, 10:48am
saxon's Avatar
saxon saxon is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 24, 2005
Location: Colorado
Posts: 337
Default

This is the Cutest Tutorial I have ever seen.
I cant wait to try.
Thanks
Sandra/Saxon
__________________
Sandra

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Etsy shop

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 2009-02-09, 12:26pm
Afterdark's Avatar
Afterdark Afterdark is offline
Normal is Boring!!
 
Join Date: Jan 08, 2006
Location: Utah
Posts: 1,581
Default

Tracy- you rock- thanks for sharing! Now lets see what you do with the pretty copper!!
__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
~
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
~
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


Antique Brass Findings

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 2009-02-09, 1:10pm
Beadbug's Avatar
Beadbug Beadbug is offline
Anyone need some spacers?
 
Join Date: Oct 08, 2005
Location: Pennfield, MI
Posts: 3,060
Default

I have been sick but go some caps cut out before this hit. My copper and silver tube just came from from ginkodesigns.etsy.com it looks like very nice stuff and I can't wait till my head quits pounding so I can start some coring.

This piece did get treated with a patina but I took steel wool to it and it knocked the sharp edges off and now it just isn't as nice of a piece. I won't do that again!
__________________
Tracy
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 2009-02-09, 5:19pm
Chau Nguyen T Chau Nguyen T is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 13, 2007
Posts: 178
Default

I can do the Sharpie part but set up is.... way out of my thinking. Even with your picture to help me to see it clearer; please, tell me
What is this power source? And using this ps you don't need to use the battery. How powerful 6V battery could be? Do i have to plug this ps in to electrical outlet to have a source of energy?
The fish tank bubbler will connect directly in to the salt water?
Thanks in advance for answering my questions.
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 2009-02-09, 6:58pm
Beadbug's Avatar
Beadbug Beadbug is offline
Anyone need some spacers?
 
Join Date: Oct 08, 2005
Location: Pennfield, MI
Posts: 3,060
Default

Here are power sources I have read about using, the only one I have used is described above and plugged directly into the wall.

Size D Battery
Car Battery
Trickle style car battery charger
Electroforming Kit

If anyone has used any of the above or something else could you please let us know what was used and how well it worked?

The fish tank bubbler does go directly into the salt water to keep it churned up so that your piece etches evenly.
__________________
Tracy
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 2009-02-10, 4:54pm
Chau Nguyen T Chau Nguyen T is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 13, 2007
Posts: 178
Default

Tracy, where do i find this power source? I stopped at WalMart to pick-up some dog foods and i found out that i had this fish tank bubbler when we used to have fish.
So far,I know that one end of the power source has to plug in to the electric outlet for energy. As in the picture,i saw that one end of the 18gauge copper wire connects the discs that goes into the salt bath, the other end poke/stick into the power source box.
I know how to work on the end of the copper wires to go into the salt bath to etch. But I am lost at the other end that connect to the power box.
You said "strip about an inch of the wire lead and use electrical tape to attach it to 4" heavy copper lead", does it mean that you have to open the back of the power source box to pull out the wire inside the box out to tape it with the 18gauge wire to extend it longer to reach the salt water bath.
Sorry i have no experience with electricity and so afraid of shock. You made it look so simple and easy but when it comes to me it looks like a big mountain. I don't have anyone around here to ask about it. Please help me to scale it. Thanks in advance.
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 2009-02-10, 6:11pm
Beadbug's Avatar
Beadbug Beadbug is offline
Anyone need some spacers?
 
Join Date: Oct 08, 2005
Location: Pennfield, MI
Posts: 3,060
Default

Looking at my photo you can see the wire coming out of the bottom of the plug this is the same wire that is hooked to each copper lead going into the glass container.
__________________
Tracy
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 2009-02-10, 6:34pm
playswithfire104's Avatar
playswithfire104 playswithfire104 is offline
Dangerous Woman
 
Join Date: Nov 21, 2005
Location: Southcentral PA
Posts: 5,018
Default

Can you use sea salt? Without iodide?

And if anyone hass tried this with a e-forming kit can you give any details? I have an e-forming kit but I still don't quite get exactly what Ineed to do.
__________________
Nancy

May your torch burn brightly and your oxy never run out. - Karen Hardy


On a Cheetah with a hurricane Still have my Lynx as a back up.

Last edited by playswithfire104; 2009-02-10 at 6:38pm.
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 2009-02-11, 5:19pm
Beadbug's Avatar
Beadbug Beadbug is offline
Anyone need some spacers?
 
Join Date: Oct 08, 2005
Location: Pennfield, MI
Posts: 3,060
Default

Nancy, I believe it does matter what kind of salt it is but don't think it would hurt to give the sea salt since it is in a pure form.

From what I understand with the e kit you just put the piece you want to etch on the opposite side you would put your e-formed item on.
__________________
Tracy
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #27  
Old 2009-02-11, 6:11pm
Chau Nguyen T Chau Nguyen T is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 13, 2007
Posts: 178
Default

Good. I saw that connection. So, i don't have to dismantle the box. There's a hole there for me to poke the copper wire in. That's perfect.
Now, tell me where did you buy that transfomer. At the Radio Shack or Walmart? I got most of the materials already but that power source, i try to find it this week end so i can try. With your instructions i think i can do it.
Thanks in advance. If i can find that transformer i'll let you know how it turns out. Thanks again.
Reply With Quote
  #28  
Old 2009-02-12, 6:58pm
Beadbug's Avatar
Beadbug Beadbug is offline
Anyone need some spacers?
 
Join Date: Oct 08, 2005
Location: Pennfield, MI
Posts: 3,060
Default

I didn't purchase this transformer just used one that was left over from another item like a phone or something. I keep all the plugs to things when they break because you never know what their next use might be. I guess you could go purchase on at Radio Shack but it seems silly when things are always breaking that take this sort of cord. I don't know where you think you are STICKING the copper wire into??? You need to go back and read the directions again. The wire is attached to the ends of the cord.
__________________
Tracy
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #29  
Old 2009-02-13, 7:43pm
Rose Leslie's Avatar
Rose Leslie Rose Leslie is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 10, 2005
Location: Manhattan,KS the land of Purple Pride
Posts: 7,718
Default

So where do you get the rectifyer? I want to try this only not with the electroforming kit. Yes I have to be anal.
__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Rose Leslie
_____________________________________

Last edited by Rose Leslie; 2009-02-13 at 7:47pm.
Reply With Quote
  #30  
Old 2009-02-14, 9:06pm
Beadbug's Avatar
Beadbug Beadbug is offline
Anyone need some spacers?
 
Join Date: Oct 08, 2005
Location: Pennfield, MI
Posts: 3,060
Default

You will have to research that one, I purchased a kit from Tink for electroforming but it being used by a friend right now.
__________________
Tracy
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 1:35pm.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Your IP: 18.206.13.112