Etching circles into steel without heavy machinery

PropReplicator2 · Apr 11, 2017

Can it be done at home? I have a dremel etcher that could work. The metal is very thin steel sheet that needs to have multiple circles engraved into it.

Any ideas??

Joeywan Kenobi · Apr 11, 2017

Look up saltwater etching. I did a test for the first time on a saber I built for someone. It's super easy. Just water, salt a power source, and qtips or cotton balls.

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bookface · Apr 12, 2017

Ferric chloride would also work. You'll need to paint the areas you don't want etched with a resist, machinists layout fluid works well but so does nail polish if it's not a big piece. Brush it on and it will etch the exposed metal.

PropReplicator2 · Apr 12, 2017

bookface said:
Ferric chloride would also work. You'll need to paint the areas you don't want etched with a resist, machinists layout fluid works well but so does nail polish if it's not a big piece. Brush it on and it will etch the exposed metal.

Its not a big piece at all. Its. Rogue One data card. I think I'll be using nail polish since I have it at home.

Psicorp7 · Apr 12, 2017

Something as simple as a nail through a small piece of wood or a ruler can be used to etch circles as long as you tape or glue down a central pivot point. Many have used this to etch the lines for Captain America shields.

PropReplicator2 · Apr 12, 2017

Psicorp7 said:
Something as simple as a nail through a small piece of wood or a ruler can be used to etch circles as long as you tape or glue down a central pivot point. Many have used this to etch the lines for Captain America shields.

I used this method on my captain America shield as well but it doesn't seem to work with this prop. The lines are simply to close together and you can't get a grip.

Psicorp7 · Apr 12, 2017

PropReplicator2 said:
I used this method on my captain America shield as well but it doesn't seem to work with this prop. The lines are simply to close together and you can't get a grip.

You can reverse your thinking and rotate the disc under a fixed etching tool (sharp nail). You just need a turntable that rotates. Think of the setup like that of a record player.

PropReplicator2 · Apr 12, 2017

Psicorp7 said:
You can reverse your thinking and rotate the disc under a fixed etching tool (sharp nail). You just need a turntable that rotates. Think of the setup like that of a record player.

Good idea. I think I'll go with the acid etching Idea though as that is something I can let sit for a while while I work on something else.

madmacs · Apr 15, 2017

Electroetching is really cool. I started experimenting with it 2 days ago. I'm still fine tuning the results, but so far, I'm amazed. How did I not learn this years ago?

Etching circles into steel without heavy machinery

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