Though many current book and magazine articles highlight the great results that can be had stamping metal with Staz-on ink pads and then dipping the object in Radio Shack's PCB Etchant, unfortunately Radio Shack has discontinued carrying this product nationwide.  It has been pulled from store shelves and they won't be selling it online either.  Can you suggest an alternative product to get the great results we're seeing in the current literature?  I have read that people who make their own circuit boards use a solution of one part muriatic acid to two parts hydrogen peroxide as a substitute for PCB etchant, but I know less than nothing about chemistry and don't want to fool around with anything dangerous.

 Radio Shack was just one place to buy it, call all the local electronic supply stores in your area.  If you can't find, there's always Riogrande

Ok, you've got me curious now. Can you tell me where you saw info on this technique? I must have missed it and it sounds interesting. I've heard of using the Staz-on with glass fusing, but not on metal. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

SueW

 Sue, we had a project on this topic in the November 2006 issue of Art Jewelry. If you have the back issue, look for it under the title Easy Etching. Although it's not available for free on our Web site, we do sell it as a PDF here:  http://www.artjewelrymag.com/ART/Default.aspx?c=a&id=647

 Swiffer, As Loopy suggested, you should still be able to find PCB etchant at electronic supply stores or computer hobby shops. The etchant is typically used to etch computer circuit boards.

-Katie Streeter

moderator

 

Thanks, Katie. Lo and behold, I do have the November '06 issue! It's funny how you don't always make a connection with something/technique if you are not into at the moment. My jewelry making has been a real progression trying many different techniques when my mind is opened to them. I must say I haven't found any one that I dislike. Since I started actually selling my pieces, my husband no longer shudders at my continual aquistion of tools! Thanks for pointing me to the issue. I always keep my back issues and thumb through them from time to time, but I had not remembered that one at all.

Now off to find the etchant.....!

 SueW

Hey Sue,

Hope your etching experimentation is going well. 

I wanted to add my 2 cents to the resist discussion. You don't need to only use the Staz-on inks; all sorts of resists work. I especially enjoy drawing designs directly on my metal with permanent markers.
 
Plenty of folks use Sharpies, but I don't like the quality of resist I get from those. When I was first learning etching, my teacher turned us on to Staedtler Lumocolor pens. They're super-fine, they last nearly forever, and they're available at office or art supply stores. Plus they give a nice solid resist line with ferric-chloride etchant.

No wonder they're my absolute go-to favorite, huh? Just make sure you get the PERMANENT kind, not the wipe-off variety. Oh, and red seems to work the best - go figure.

Best of luck etching!

~Addie~
 

Thanks Addie, for the tip about the lumocolor pens. It's nice to know when someone finds certain products more helpful than others. It saves a lot of time and frustration! That's one of the things I like about this forum, everyone is willing to share.

SueW

I JUST TOOK A CLASS IN JEWELRY ETCHING, RECENTLY. WE USED PnP BLUE FILM, MARKERS, AND ASPHALTUM TO ACT AS A RESIST.  WE ALSO USED THE ETCHANT SOLUTION FROM RADIO SHACK. I ACTUALLY BOUGHT TWO BOTTLES OF THE SOLUTION YESTERDAY, SO THERE MIGHT STILL BE SOME OUT THERE IN THE STORES.

You can buy ferric chloride (Radio Shack called their's "PCB etchant"=ferric chloride) at graphic art supply stores. The store I buy from sells it in 1 gallon containers for about $22.US. Look for a local store so you can pick it up because there's a $22.50 UPS haz mat shipping charge on top of your regular shipping fee.

If you look online at a graphic art supply store it's usually listed under intaglio products. Here's a link to the store I use.  Billie   http://www.printmaking-materials.com/products/intaglio/60

 I too tried to buy this stuff at Radio Shack - twice, to no avail. I don't think we have those other types of stores but I'll look.

 Radio Shack and other retail outlets don't carry it because it can be used as part of the process of home drug manufacturing.  Similarly, Home Depot has stopped carrying muriatic acid, and CVS and other chain drug stores have most of their cold remedies behind the counter.  And to think, we just wanted to etch some jewelry!  But don't despair.  www.alphastamps.com carries a wonderful powdered product that does the same thing -- I think it's iron perchlorate -- which is the same chemically as ferric chloride and does the job beautifully.  I use it every day and get great results.  Because it's powdered, you don't have to pay a hazmat charge.  It is very inexpensive, and a jar will last a long time even if you do a lot of etching.

 I was able to purchase a 1-quart bottle of "ferric chloride" at Fry's Electronics here in Phoenix for about $10.50.

After reading this thread I called my local Radio Shack and they do carry the PCB Etch solution.  They quoted me at $10/bottle.  I live in NW Ohio - not sure if maybe different states have different regulations on this stuff - seems like some people have a harder time getting ahold of it than others.