Home Foto etching.

J3gm;

The July 1991 issue of Fine Scale Modeler has the article you need. It outlines the entire process for making your own parts in your own set up. If you can't find one in the FSM back issues check eBay. These always show up there.

Cheers;

Gregory

Thanks Gregory for the tip. I´ll try to get a copy
Best regard
J3gm

I think I saw a auto-etch in a local Hobby-shop here in Connecticut. Can I post the name...I'm not sure of the rules about that.

and who do you get to do your professional etching?


kev

I have a Auto-Etch at home, but have not used it yet.

There is a good write up of a guy who does his own on the ARC.

http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/Fea1/601-700/Fea688_F-4_Greutert/fea688.html

He did not build his own etch tank but the information is very good.


Cheers
Thom

I wrote an article awhile ago...although its become exceedingly difficult to get the chemicals, at least in NJ when I was living there.

Jeff

http://www.steelnavy.com/etching.htm

OK, so there are two of us that have an Auto-etch and have not used yet, from this forum I’ve got excellent info (from, Gregory, Thom and Jeff), for example: the temperature, disposal, and how to. Probably this weekend I´ll try to experiment a little. So I´ll tell you how it went. Thanks to all of you.
For Kev, Here where I live (Buenos Aires - Argentina), there are a few locals that can do the art, the work to get the "stat" (formerly acetate) that is a mylar sheet with the drawing at real size, done in a special laser printer, they can also do the drawing from scratch in a PC (raster or vectorial drawing). them the using a locally made kind of fotoresist (I´ve got the negative one), and then go to the people that do the etching it self. I’ve seen, PE parts done in two and even tree steps (layers), a king’s delight (the Favege´s of PE), also quite expensive.
Please continue with more ideas and info,
Thanks again
j3gm

Hy Gregory, I could go today to the Modelling Club and got The July 1991 issue of Fine Scale Modeler, so I`ll try to read it this week and come back and tell you about it.
Best regard
J3gm

J3gm;

I just received an Auto Etch in the mail. It was too good of a deal to pass up. So I will be trying out some of my own parts etching with it in the near future. Once I do I will update you on it. Like you said it does look better than the Micro Mark. However Micro Mark does offer the Photo Resistant film at a decent price for two sheets I may have to invest in a few for future projects.

Cheers;

Gregory

where did you get your auto-etch

Excuse me, my dear Lords, but... what is " Auto Etch" ? It is the first time I hear of it.

Rectification : I found something with Copernic about auto etch; is it related with printing numbers on car windows ? in such case, how do you use it to etch metal ?

Additionnally, I would suggest you to take a look at http://www.techniks.com and read the Press-n-Peel section.

woodbeck;

I bought my autoetch from a seller on eBay Canada. It was a really good deal.

Jose;

Auto-Etch is a name brand for a self contained photoetching unit. It uses ferric chloride to etch the brass etc. in a immersion tank and produces the parts as drawn. The Press n Peel that you found on the Internet is one component required for making yor own parts. It is a photo resist film that "marks" where the parts are to be etched on the brass etc. by transferring a photo negative or photo positive whichever the case may be on to the brass. The best reference to view for doing this at home.

1. Sheperd Paine - How to build Dioramas Vol. 1 or Vol. 2;
2. Sheperd Paine - Building Tanks and Military Vehicles
3. Fine Scale Modeler - July 1991
4. Scale Auto Enthusiast - August 1994 - Got the Itch to Etch
** I need a copy of No. 4 It deals specifically with the Auto Etch system** Anyone who can spare a copy? I would really appreciate it.

The press and peel film can be bought from Micro Mark in 2 sheet groups and the Ferric Chloride used for etching can be bought at Radio Shack or any electronics store that sells kits for making Printed Circuit Boards. This where this whole process really stems from.

Any further information required please feel free to email me.

Cheers;

Gregory

Hey Guys
Really good info and inputs from every one, I´ve got all the traditional stuff, that is the solution and developer, and I hope to start to work on it next week, so I will tell you how things are going. Thanks a lot again for the good info.
Best regard
J3GM

Thanks for the reply ... I am looking into this

This might be good. I have not read it yet, so I don't know. It's on starshipmodeler. http://www.starshipmodeler.com/tech/fh_pe.htm Just thought I'd put it out here in case it's worthy.