tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2150611447290079449.post7660900471334409539..comments2024-03-23T04:31:39.375-07:00Comments on Copperheart: Tutorial: How to Etch CopperCopperhearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14047969786800186070noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2150611447290079449.post-56867536106899263802015-03-30T19:06:52.084-07:002015-03-30T19:06:52.084-07:00windupherskirt- Sorry for the delayed response. So...windupherskirt- Sorry for the delayed response. Sorry I have no experience working with aluminium, good luck! Copperhearthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14047969786800186070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2150611447290079449.post-5595457161861979602015-01-29T20:58:38.488-08:002015-01-29T20:58:38.488-08:00Great tutorial ... do you have any experience etch...Great tutorial ... do you have any experience etching on aluminum? I'm wanting to use 14g aluminum to etch on.<br />Any help would be wonderfulwindupherskirthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16077287428957538290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2150611447290079449.post-468441420780101692014-11-28T04:51:29.049-08:002014-11-28T04:51:29.049-08:00Love the tutorial. I will be trying this after the...Love the tutorial. I will be trying this after the holidays. I also design my handcrafted jewelry. I need some new "thing" to learn and this seems to be so interesting and quite beautiful. I love to draw too so this really gives me creative freedom. I also like the way you circled your patterns first on the sheet of copper. I would have first cut my discs then add my pattern. Now, I'm on my way to join your fanpage.Claire DeRosahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16479693859045868028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2150611447290079449.post-13273234856421581472014-05-28T07:47:34.483-07:002014-05-28T07:47:34.483-07:00amazing tutorial - thanks for sharingamazing tutorial - thanks for sharingDivya Nhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17522282917004358863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2150611447290079449.post-77260152492042859052014-03-29T17:21:50.779-07:002014-03-29T17:21:50.779-07:00Laura-
The only work-around I can think of for ap...Laura- <br />The only work-around I can think of for applying the press n peel film on the plates is to heat them up on a hotplate rather than an iron. Otherwise, any of the resists that are applied by hand would work fine. The red shellac based resist shown in the tutorial would work, or you could try a deco-color paint pen, which also gives very good results. Good luck!Copperhearthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14047969786800186070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2150611447290079449.post-20155745319973478172014-02-25T06:54:37.204-08:002014-02-25T06:54:37.204-08:00I just found your blog-your so kind to respond in ...I just found your blog-your so kind to respond in detail to everyone. I have made some low relief copper plates and want to try the your technique but the pieces are 7"x"10" and 6"x6". Do you think the resist will work on this larger surface? I purchased the press and peel blue sheets but they required an iron and my plates have a raised edge so there is no way Im going to be able to use an iron!<br />Sincerely,<br />Laura<br />artprofarc@sbcglobal.net<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09681089807416308162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2150611447290079449.post-4315699688937775502013-08-19T12:40:00.599-07:002013-08-19T12:40:00.599-07:00littlecherryhill- first of all, I love that you ca...littlecherryhill- first of all, I love that you call them "Jesus Rays" that's exactly what they look like! I find that I get those most often with fresh etching solution when the etching is going very quickly, so I guess the trick would be to try to slow down the etching a bit. Maybe try diluting the etching solution with water, and if you are using any means to speed the process (heat or agitation) try it without. Otherwise you could try electrolytic etching which doesn't seem to produce those lines. Good luck!Copperhearthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14047969786800186070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2150611447290079449.post-76438852072585676802013-08-06T17:03:39.888-07:002013-08-06T17:03:39.888-07:00Fantastic Tutorial. I have just started to dabble ...Fantastic Tutorial. I have just started to dabble in etching and have been getting those 'jesus rays' or lines around and coming down the image, do you know how to combat that at all?? Thanks so much!littlecherryhillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07048003824602523261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2150611447290079449.post-40658490455576889892013-07-05T01:36:06.067-07:002013-07-05T01:36:06.067-07:00Explained perfectly, thank you for sharing.Explained perfectly, thank you for sharing.BeguiledbytheBeadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17072815717784867683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2150611447290079449.post-24110339995024855582013-03-24T14:58:57.050-07:002013-03-24T14:58:57.050-07:00Zebra-
I'm guessing that brasso leaves a prote...Zebra-<br />I'm guessing that brasso leaves a protective layer on the metal, which in this case is protecting your metal from the ferric chloride and preventing etching. Try using just dish soap and a scrubbie and see if that works better. Copperhearthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14047969786800186070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2150611447290079449.post-42345732845183594432013-02-24T14:00:12.867-08:002013-02-24T14:00:12.867-08:00After reading your tutorial I decided to try this....After reading your tutorial I decided to try this. I used braso and steel wool (SOS pad). I think stamped an image with staz on. I put my brass piece into the FErric Cloride and left it for over 2 hours. When i removed it nothing has happened. Doyou think it is the wrong abrasive or maybe my metal isn't actually brass or copper.Any suggestions?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2150611447290079449.post-2127279821047840972013-02-01T09:49:26.739-08:002013-02-01T09:49:26.739-08:00I just came across your tutorial while doing a goo...<b><i>I just came across your tutorial while doing a google seach for copper etching solution. It was great. Thanks so much for the info!</i></b>D Koberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02027541429051955418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2150611447290079449.post-44810042115072418942012-10-01T06:53:23.466-07:002012-10-01T06:53:23.466-07:00David- that will work just fine and is actually th...David- that will work just fine and is actually the more "traditional" way of doing things. I reversed the process because I wanted a bolder design. Copperhearthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14047969786800186070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2150611447290079449.post-67169058018846183862012-09-17T06:25:47.669-07:002012-09-17T06:25:47.669-07:00Can you reverse the process? Cover your surface co...Can you reverse the process? Cover your surface completely with resist then scratch out a pattern using an awl?<br /><br />I am new, so I don't know alot about what is possible or not.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15640383254374131781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2150611447290079449.post-55536010941979958582012-08-26T06:36:29.402-07:002012-08-26T06:36:29.402-07:00Thank-you so much for producing this tutorial! I t...Thank-you so much for producing this tutorial! I teach advanced art techniques to gifted students, and this is going on our to-do list this year! <br />Oh, and one funny thing, I had some scrap copper flashing .001, (the aluminum foil of copper sheeting), and when I put it in the bath for 2 hours it ate everything that was not the resisted! Opps. But I am reminded of my in-class mantra- "there are no mistakes in art", I now have the neatest, thin line copper "drawing" ever!<br /> I found a great tutorial online that could help me understand copper foil thicknesses- http://basiccopper.com/thicknessguide.html <br />Brandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04220041728700916818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2150611447290079449.post-80390661269699654332012-03-06T08:19:21.883-08:002012-03-06T08:19:21.883-08:00Wow, that is amazing, I was always a bit scared to...Wow, that is amazing, I was always a bit scared to try this, but might give it a bash now. Thanks, great tutorial HaldisHaldishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08865910889940189094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2150611447290079449.post-62534345713866983612011-12-08T10:47:08.003-08:002011-12-08T10:47:08.003-08:00Hi Fran, yes I use a disc cutter. You can probably...Hi Fran, yes I use a disc cutter. You can probably get a simple one for between 50 and 75 dollars. Pre-cut pieces are a good choice too.Copperhearthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14047969786800186070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2150611447290079449.post-2030508244150849892011-12-06T23:41:08.008-08:002011-12-06T23:41:08.008-08:00Thanks so much for this! I'm excited to try it...Thanks so much for this! I'm excited to try it.<br />One question - how do you cut your pieces, and get them perfectly circular?<br />I'm thinking if it requires a pricey cutter, I just might get pre-cut discs.<br />Thank You!!franhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17877785572454117720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2150611447290079449.post-3548060629545526432011-12-01T13:38:03.534-08:002011-12-01T13:38:03.534-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.J2S04https://www.blogger.com/profile/05561468131467924859noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2150611447290079449.post-28214203584919249522011-11-20T19:19:19.286-08:002011-11-20T19:19:19.286-08:00Hi Susan,
For silver you'll need Ferric Chlor...Hi Susan, <br />For silver you'll need Ferric Chloride. You use it the same way but it comes in a dry crystal form and you mix it with water. You can get it from a scientific chemical supply company. You can also use nitric acid but it is a lot nastier.Copperhearthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14047969786800186070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2150611447290079449.post-58658667377412964422011-11-20T14:12:39.807-08:002011-11-20T14:12:39.807-08:00Hi Alison
I am currently studying a B-tech level 3...Hi Alison<br />I am currently studying a B-tech level 3 national diploma in Jewellery Desgin at Manchester England, We are doing etching at the moment and i have purchased so Ferric chloride to try at home , I was wondering if you can Etch silver with ferric chloride , your tutorials are great and your jewellery is amazing.<br />Susan xAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05060024766719022355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2150611447290079449.post-87561014111071979352011-09-12T12:31:07.522-07:002011-09-12T12:31:07.522-07:00Yes, you should be able to do that without too muc...Yes, you should be able to do that without too much trouble. You'll want a good resist that can stand up to a longer time in the bath. If you're etching really deep remember that the sides of the raised areas will be exposed to the chemical as well. With a really long etch the raised areas can be undercut by the etching chemical and lift off.Copperhearthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14047969786800186070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2150611447290079449.post-15847516041592233832011-09-09T11:29:54.505-07:002011-09-09T11:29:54.505-07:00Greetings, and thank you for the info. I was wonde...Greetings, and thank you for the info. I was wondering how thick of an etch was possible with this process? If you started with a thicker piece of copper, could you etch to a depth of say . . . 1/16"?Greghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16577841411288243537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2150611447290079449.post-91481594546194302842011-09-01T06:02:32.899-07:002011-09-01T06:02:32.899-07:00You can re-use ferric chloride many many times. It...You can re-use ferric chloride many many times. It depends on the size of your pieces and how long you etch them for, but you will know it is starting to wear out because it will start taking longer to etch. <br />As for disposal, you need to contact your local waste management department and ask them what you should do. They may want you to collect the solution and drop it off at the hazardous waste collection site.Copperhearthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14047969786800186070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2150611447290079449.post-62862186474354425802011-08-31T09:52:36.763-07:002011-08-31T09:52:36.763-07:00Very glad I found your tutorial. 2 questions:
1. ...Very glad I found your tutorial. 2 questions: <br />1. How many times can the Ferric Chloride be re-used?<br />2. How do you safely dispose of used Ferric Chloride? <br />I'm thinking about trying this at home. <br />Thanks!Dan from Maumeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06836423280010040644noreply@blogger.com