Etched enclosures

deadastronaut · July 29, 2018, 10:27:33 AM

Yep thats it....

stallik · July 29, 2018, 10:30:11 AM

Ok, only I'm in B&Q now . Yup, got it

deadastronaut · July 29, 2018, 10:33:42 AM

Cool...its great stuff ...

stallik · July 29, 2018, 10:35:29 AM

Good timing. I've got a couple of DD's to prepare

deadastronaut · July 29, 2018, 10:41:44 AM

Great...yeah i had 5 well rough 1590bbs....not now.

5 metres will last a long time. Proper thick quality paper..

Have fun..

FiveseveN · August 22, 2018, 07:30:12 PM

Quick question... though this particular experiment took place more than a year ago.
I masked this Al enclosure using laser printer transfer and
> after testing a quick etch (permanent marker as resist) on the back of the cap, which I deemed fine, I used the following technique:
- scrubbed the surface with (plastic) abrasive sponge: needed for transfer;
- after trying my best to remove the paper fibers after transfer, I dabbed the surface with FeCl₃ using a sponge, replenishing the reactant constantly.
- even after the time that would be sufficient for etching a PCB I did not observe any significant bevel, but the exposed surface looked like rust, even after a thorough rinse with water.
- sanded the surface with fine sandpaper (1000-ish) and some days after oiled it after I noticed rust forming again. It hasn't rusted thus far.
So this is what turned out: looks to me less like an etch and more like penetration of Fe atoms maybe?

I may have taken that picture enthusiastically before oiling.
What was the question? I've seen deep etches through simple immersion in FeCl₃, and the sponge technique is supposed to be more aggressive, so what gives?! Not that I'm complaining, I like the way it turned out, but I'd like to understand the process for the sake of consistency.

Marcos - Munky · August 22, 2018, 07:55:52 PM

Just do the etching process over and over until you get the depth you want. Just remember to wait for the enclosure to cool down when it becames hot or the toner will start to be removed from the enclosure. Also, rinse with water from time to time to remove the metal that's been corroded. I usually do both things at the same time, when the enclosure starts to turn a little bit hot, I rinse it with water.

Btw, your etch looks amazing!

italianguy63 · August 23, 2018, 02:55:24 AM

Quote from: Marcos - Munky on August 22, 2018, 07:55:52 PM
Just do the etching process over and over until you get the depth you want. Just remember to wait for the enclosure to cool down when it becames hot or the toner will start to be removed from the enclosure. Also, rinse with water from time to time to remove the metal that's been corroded. I usually do both things at the same time, when the enclosure starts to turn a little bit hot, I rinse it with water.

Btw, your etch looks amazing!

+1

You just have to develop a technique that works. I use a mixture of HCL acid... I found that 2 1/2 minutes is perfect. So, I do 5 baths of 30 seconds each... between each bath, I rinse with water, and scrub off the "gunk" lightly with a toothbrush between dunks.

When I started, I found I was OVER-etching, and my etches looked dirty (and pitted). It took some time to figure out where the sweet spot was.

italianguy63 · August 30, 2018, 10:16:50 AM

My newest contraption---

Custom job/request.

It's a '67 PNP Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face (detuned for bass)... feeding into a 3 band EQ... and then finally into a balance DI output.

Came out nice.

(Edit: That old school 20uF cap looks like an M-80!)

MC

bluebunny · August 31, 2018, 04:03:33 AM

Quote from: italianguy63 on August 30, 2018, 10:16:50 AM
Came out nice.

Sure did.

italianguy63 · August 31, 2018, 04:31:31 AM

Quote from: bluebunny on August 31, 2018, 04:03:33 AM
Quote from: italianguy63 on August 30, 2018, 10:16:50 AM
Came out nice.

Sure did.

Thanks Marc! A bit of a wiring nightmare (w/3 main boards).

The over-etch was purposely done.. guy wanted a gritty look to it..

MC

ElectricDruid · September 01, 2018, 05:31:02 PM

Quote from: italianguy63 on August 30, 2018, 10:16:50 AM

Which part is the crazy board that thinks it needs six trimmers?!?

Love the etch. Nice work.

T.

italianguy63 · September 01, 2018, 05:58:24 PM

It is the EQ board.. adjusts the frequency and Q for each band.

ElectricDruid · September 03, 2018, 03:43:08 PM

Quote from: italianguy63 on September 01, 2018, 05:58:24 PM
It is the EQ board.. adjusts the frequency and Q for each band.

I see! That's a seriously flexible little PCB then! Nice.

T.

italianguy63 · September 03, 2018, 03:50:39 PM

Quote from: ElectricDruid on September 03, 2018, 03:43:08 PM
Quote from: italianguy63 on September 01, 2018, 05:58:24 PM
It is the EQ board.. adjusts the frequency and Q for each band.

I see! That's a seriously flexible little PCB then! Nice.

T.

Yeah--

It came from TH Custom Effects (Germany). (Edit: Note some errata in the build docs. if you build one)... Check the work/math.

It is a 3 band EQ-- and depending on what resistors and caps you use, you can set the frequency points and the Q width.

It was what I needed since I needed this pedal Lo-tuned for a bass player.

MC

MJ_Sound_Cubed · September 07, 2018, 03:49:14 PM

Wow, Some really good etchers out there

Marcos - Munky · September 18, 2018, 07:26:12 PM

16th build of 2018. Lastgasp Art Laboratories Rattle Crow. I remember this one got some interest back in time, but then it was kinda forgotten. Reverse etch based on the original artwork.

Marcos - Munky · September 19, 2018, 05:23:13 PM

17th build of 2018: Ugly Face, by Tim Escobedo. The sound of this one is just amazing.

EBK · September 19, 2018, 05:50:06 PM

Quote from: Marcos - Munky on September 19, 2018, 05:23:13 PM
17th build of 2018

I'm still hoping to get my third build of the year done.

Marcos - Munky · September 19, 2018, 06:56:45 PM

Well, if I had finished all the builds I've started, I'd been at least on the 30th build of 18

. This year is being productive, but I'll take a good break after I finish some projects to clear my head a little bit and do other stuff. Maybe 25 it's a cool number.

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Etched enclosures