Etching/marking and youtube overload....

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I am an idiot/savant with anything electronic....minus the savant. I finally realized that just buying a power supply(rather than diy) would be easiest for me and then getting someone from the college to modify it (if needed). From what I can tell this might work right out of the box. It was the ONLY one I could find on Amazonetcher marker.jpg (under $500 or so) that would output AC for marking. $69.52 with free shipping. Anyways...this stuff fries my brain....

Wish me luck...I'll need it....lol
 
I remember seeing a YouTube video that says the smallest output to use would be 2A. That said I'm waiting for some parts now I m going to try a Train power pack for my power source. I bought it on EBay for 10 bucks! It has an adjustable output on the DC side and will go to 5A or 6A if I remember correctly, it also has an AC side (for accessories) that again I believe is 20VAC that is non adjustable but from the ones I have looked at its right in line with their output. I plan on putting the complete Train Transformer in a small tool box for an enclosure so I can keep all my etching supplies in 1 area. Gonna add a fuse, light rocker switch (for power), a DPDT center off toggle for the AC/DC, and a set of banana jacks for the output. I'm waiting for the parts now so I can size the tool box and layout the parts. Ill post pics if the parts ever get here. To bad Radio Shack is no more!!
 
Yeah...The one youtube that I liked was using old heavy non-switching wall chargers. 2 amp was the minimum. Ed said that it would work but be slower and a possibility of ghosting around the edges. If I get get some learnin' from this I will hopefully get a personalizer plus after the new year....I can still fiddle with stencils, and application, etc.

It's difficult to justify things to wifey when I have not sold a single knife yet...lol.
 
I wonder how difficult it would be to "hot rod" the amperage on this thing?...which would still be voodoo witchcraft to me...lol.
 
Ted, it's not the amperage that is the concern with that power supply. When etching the current draw depends on the voltage and the size of the "clear" space in the templet. Take a look at this etch:
chicken.jpg


That image is about 1" long by 3/4" high. During etch the DC current draw is around 1/2 to 1 amp at 20 vdc, while the AC current draw is also around 1/2 to 1 amp at 15 vac - depending on how much etchant liquid is present.

12vdc is going to be a fairly slow etch, but it should etch just fine. Do you have a link to the power supply on Amazon so can look at specs? Do you know if it's a regulated supply or not? This is the only one I found that looked similar and it gave no specs at all: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CYPT7IA/

I do think the power supply you show will work.

chicken.jpg
You ask about "hot rodding" the supply - most likely easier to start from scratch.... perhaps a cheap car battery charger? That would work nicely with just a little work.
 
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I use an old cell phone charger, lol. Cost me nothing. Buddy of mine rigged it up. Couple of alligator clips and good to go...
 
KenH said:
Ted, it's not the amperage that is the concern with that power supply. When etching the current draw depends on the voltage and the size of the "clear" space in the templet. Take a look at this etch:
chicken.jpg


That image is about 1" long by 3/4" high. During etch the DC current draw is around 1/2 to 1 amp at 20 vdc, while the AC current draw is also around 1/2 to 1 amp at 15 vac - depending on how much etchant liquid is present.

12vdc is going to be a fairly slow etch, but it should etch just fine. Do you have a link to the power supply on Amazon so can look at specs? Do you know if it's a regulated supply or not? This is the only one I found that looked similar and it gave no specs at all: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CYPT7IA/

I do think the power supply you show will work.

chicken.jpg
You ask about "hot rodding" the supply - most likely easier to start from scratch.... perhaps a cheap car battery charger? That would work nicely with just a little work.
Click to expand...

ken...it didn't have any real info. The reason I got it is that it was the ONLY one I could find with both dc/ac output (etching / marking)
Here is the amazon ad...I got the "last one" apparently. The company seems to be a school lab supply place.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UZCHZOM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Nice clean etch btw!
 
Ted, thank you for the nice words on the etch. I'm fairly happy with the results. That is using a homebrew power supply and making my own templates. Took me a bit of practice to get the template making down, but now it seems to be working pretty good.

I didn't realize you'd already ordered the power supply - I do think it will work just fine. it might be a bit slower than higher voltage, but should make a nice clean etch you'll be happy with.

Ken H>
 
Ken what do you use to make the stencils? I saw a rig for $169 that used a UV lamp is that what you are using?? Ted I'll venture into my shop tomorrow and get the specs on the train transformer. It's real close to the Personalizer Plus. That's why I chose it.
 
So I went to my basement/shop to look at the train transformer specs are as follows.

Input: 120VAC
Output: 0-17 VDC
Accessory output: 20 VAC
Volt Amp: 6 (wattage)

This is a cheap Bachman HO, N scale train transformer. It operates in the range of the Personalizer. I don't know if it will work but I don't see why it wouldn't? And you have the variable DC voltage output via the speed control. The only thing you don't have control over is the AC voltage output but, i dont think you do with the Personalizer? I'm sure you could easily put a variable resistor in if you felt the need to however. I plan on fancying it up by putting it all in a box but, you could just hook up the marking end to the dc output for the etch and then flop the leads over to the AC to Mark? Just make sure you unplug the unit when you do it.
 
Your power supply should work just fine as far as voltage goese, but the current is sorta on the low side. Looks like it says 6 VoltAmp (wattage)? Not sure if that means 6 VA or 6 watts. If VA, then you should be in good shape. 6 watts is sorta low, but try it. Won't hurt anything and should work really good. The addition of a DPDT switch will make it work just as you wish.

On the stencils, I order the blank stencil material from Patrica with IMG-electromark. Best way to order is to call at 1.800.775.3824 or email at info@img-electromark.com and talk to them. They will know which stencils you want, which developer, and which etching fluid to send. Order at least 2 or 3 of the 8X10 sheets of paper, and small quality of developer and etching fluid. The order will run well over $50, I don't remember exactly what it is, but it's fairly expensive. BUT - it will last a LONG time. The first sheet of stencils you might waste with practice.

There are all kinds of nice setups for exposing and developing stencils, but a cheap method works just fine. Later today I'll try to get a photo of my setup, that's the easiest way to explain it.

Ken H>
 
Ken I thought VA was watts?? VxA=W or power/wattage = Voltage x Current? Either way it does say VA-6
 
bodam said:
I use an old cell phone charger, lol. Cost me nothing. Buddy of mine rigged it up. Couple of alligator clips and good to go...
Click to expand...
Hi Bodam.....can you post a pic of your setup and a pic of an etch you've done?
 
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OK, here's the setup I use for making stencils. NOT a full WIP by any means, just to give an idea how my exposure is setup.

It's just an old door from sailboat cabinet placed across top of sink, a picture frame to hold a black mouse pad to back the stencil, a smaller glass to hold stencil and template flat while exposed to light. The light source is a 60 watt flood (just what was handy) in an old lamp. Expose for a minute (depending on wattage of bulb - determined by testing). Of course this all takes place in a dark room lite with only a yellow light to protect the stencil material before developing.
Stencil.jpg
 
It sounds like that stuff has an emulsion that is water soluble until exposed to light? I wonder how well it will hold up to multi etchings? The stuff from IMG will make 100 etching, or more per stencil. Not sure if you found this site with a short tutorial on using the StencilPro, http://www.cbridge.com/howtos/createstencil.shtml

Here is a site to order StencilPro 8 sheets for $39, and they have standard res at 110 lines/inch, or high res at 200 lines/inch. http://www.craftyprinters.com/

I think that stuff will work just fine, only question is how long it holds up.

Ken H>
 
I missed the high rez option...I think for makers marks you'd want the higher resolution. Darn it! I already bought the coarser one.
 
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