Anyone make their own Etching Stencils?

Outdoor Gear Dad

Outdoor Gear Dad

Joined
Jun 1, 2019
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211
I normally order my makers mark stencils from Blue Lighting, but have a couple customers requesting their last name and such etched in different places.

Does anyone make their own stencils? If so what's a good setup look like to accomplish this at home? Is there some sort of stencil making kit you can buy?
 
Outdoor Gear Dad said:
I normally order my makers mark stencils from Blue Lighting, but have a couple customers requesting their last name and such etched in different places.

Does anyone make their own stencils? If so what's a good setup look like to accomplish this at home? Is there some sort of stencil making kit you can buy?
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Yes both Marking methods and Electro chem etching offer a kit. Making your stencils at home isn't to bad.You need to print black and use transparences. You can get the photo etch film a lot of places but will have to build a light box to develop them.
If the customer want that let him pay for ordering some. Try Ernie Gospitch.
Take Care
TJ Smith
 
TJ Smith said:
Yes both Marking methods and Electro chem etching offer a kit. Making your stencils at home isn't to bad.You need to print black and use transparences. You can get the photo etch film a lot of places but will have to build a light box to develop them.
If the customer want that let him pay for ordering some. Try Ernie Gospitch.
Take Care
TJ Smith
Click to expand...
Yeah I use Ernie....but it’s now his son Bo that runs the place under blue lighting design. He just got back to me. It’s actually pretty affordable.
 
I make my vinyl ones, I use a Silhouette Cameo 3

Pablo
 
I make my own with the electrochem kit. Works well enough. If I could do it over I'd buy a cricket vinyl cutter and use that.

The worst part of making your own stencils is trying to peel the thin plastic off the stencil in the dark. I bought a Bluetooth light bulb that I can control the color on my phone and that helps so I can see in the red light.
 
I've done the vinyl stencils from a Silhouette. It works but seems to be a pain in the you know what. I now use a cheap laser etching machine. Paint your blade with black nail polish then laser etch your mark and wipe with a wet cloth . Then you can electro etch with salt water. Remove the nail polish with acetone. You get amazing detail and a very clean etch. It's super quick. You can also etch kydex, leather and wood.
 
BlueCJ7 said:
I've done the vinyl stencils from a Silhouette. It works but seems to be a pain in the you know what. I now use a cheap laser etching machine. Paint your blade with black nail polish then laser etch your mark and wipe with a wet cloth . Then you can electro etch with salt water. Remove the nail polish with acetone. You get amazing detail and a very clean etch. It's super quick. You can also etch kydex, leather and wood.
Click to expand...

I'd like to know more about this. Do you have a link for the laser that you use? This idea sounds way better than stencils and easier.
 
Blue, do you have an instagram account or anywhere I can see your work? This sounds awesome and I'd love to see the results!
 
I've added a video to Instagram that shows the laser working. The laser does not etch the metal, just the nail polish. You have to etch the metal after the laser with the method of your choice. The laser and nail polish just replace any need for a stencil and the nail polish stays in place even if you choose to dip in an acid. I use electro etching with salt water. If you don't like the marking when the laser is finished you can remove the polish and do it again before you actually etch the metal.
 
BlueCJ7 said:
I've added a video to Instagram that shows the laser working. The laser does not etch the metal, just the nail polish. You have to etch the metal after the laser with the method of your choice. The laser and nail polish just replace any need for a stencil and the nail polish stays in place even if you choose to dip in an acid. I use electro etching with salt water. If you don't like the marking when the laser is finished you can remove the polish and do it again before you actually etch the metal.
Click to expand...

Now I understand and its very interesting, its like doing a stencil, but instead of vinyl you use nail polish. Thanks

Pablo
 
Thanks for putting this up.
I'm going to have to look into this more. I love the ability for fine detail.
 
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