Questions on Photoetching Process

I am very interested as to how you go about mastering a photoetched item such as your new brake discs. I know simple things can be photo etched at home, great how to on model car tech .com. But how do yuo do more complicated pieces? How do get it to etch only part way through in places. What do yuo start with when you begin a master..........
I think this would be a very infomative how to if you would be so kind as to share with those of us who are less gifted than you.
Thanks

I am very interested as to how you go about mastering a photoetched item such as your new brake discs. I know simple things can be photo etched at home, great how to on model car tech .com. But how do yuo do more complicated pieces? How do get it to etch only part way through in places. What do yuo start with when you begin a master..........
I think this would be a very infomative how to if you would be so kind as to share with those of us who are less gifted than you.
Thanks

All of his pe items are made by a company not himself, he just designs them. i think your thinking of pcb photo etching, this is a much thinner piece of brass and uses chemical or uv light to burn away the areas not required by way of a mask.
btw ftow when can i expect my drilled discs to turn up?

As Chris say's, they are done professionally. I just do the designs in Corel Draw then they plot them in CAD for the toolings. Its not something i can conveniently do at home and produce the amounts I require.


btw ftow when can i expect my drilled discs to turn up?

Any day now Chris, I had a further set back when the new stock i received the other day had to be sent back coz it was etched incorrectly. Sorry for the delay, again! :frown:

As Chris say's, they are done professionally. I just do the designs in Corel Draw then they plot them in CAD for the toolings. Its not something i can conveniently do at home and produce the amounts I require.



Any day now Chris, I had a further set back when the new stock i received the other day had to be sent back coz it was etched incorrectly. Sorry for the delay, again! :frown:
Sure I understand that, I guess I may not have been clear enough, I am really interested in how you design the master and what a finished one looks like before you send it out.
Thanks, D

I am interested as well.. I have some real good uses for both sets... projects on hold as a result ;) no rush though.. I can wait :p

HERE"S (http://modeltech.tripod.com/etchingentry.htm) a pretty straightforward explanation of the process.

Also, you can do basic shape etching using this KIT (http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F011%5F002%5F008%5F000&product%5Fid=276%2D1576) from Radio Shack. I do it right in my sink at home with good results.

I've also used a Sharpie pen as a resist. For stock I use K&S sheet metals.

Be sure to read and understand all instructions and chemical warnings . . .

How to make a master?
One, do that on computer.
Two, draw it on a grid paper at 200% or 400%, and photocopy at 50% or 25% to minimize the inperfection.
I've done both, and even the 2nd one worked well.

I attached a photo of some of my home etched scripts.
You see "Jaguar" "3.8" "E-Type" and Diablo SE30 emblems in several attempts.