New etcher build

Still having some problems. My idea is sound but the Tool box I am using is making it difficult. I'll get it done but the next one will be in a metal tool box with squared edges not rounded. Looks good but fitting it all in is a PITA!! Anyway I soldered a couple leads onto the Banana jacks and melted the insides. Ordered somemore gotta wait for them. It will get finished.
 
Got my train transformer yesterday...no time to play with it...

Reordered the Banana jacks I melted!! Their do in a few days also ordered a few couple cord grips. All I need is a fuse. Gonna steal some of the GFs nail polish and do some tests prior to ordering my stencils.
 
Reordered the Banana jacks I melted!! Their do in a few days also ordered a few couple cord grips. All I need is a fuse. Gonna steal some of the GFs nail polish and do some tests prior to ordering my stencils.
If you are not dialed in on your stencil design and you are decent on using the PC for design you can make your own stencil. The StencilPro high resolution stencil material is easy to work with. I print right on the stencil with an ink jet printer. Three sheets are about 30 bucks.
 
Oh...and ...you're scarin' me....how did you melt that banana jacks...mine are due in tomorrow...LOL!

I ran out of crimp on connectors. So decided to solder onto the plugs. Except for the tab the plugs are all plastic. The metal tab is relatively heavy, had to pump a lot of heat on it to get solder to melt. The female plastic part that supports the tab on the jack softned up and bent over. You couldn't plug the male jack into it. Not happy!!
 
I ran out of crimp on connectors. So decided to solder onto the plugs. Except for the tab the plugs are all plastic. The metal tab is relatively heavy, had to pump a lot of heat on it to get solder to melt. The female plastic part that supports the tab on the jack softned up and bent over. You couldn't plug the male jack into it. Not happy!!
Well...could be worse! I had envisioned a wiring problem that we did not foresee....whew. I got the thread on connectors that you can completely disassemble to solder....

I'm gonna name my etcher "The Wonder-Etch" because I wonder if it will etch as well as a Personalizer Plus...lol. If it does then it's the "Wonder-Etch" because it works as well and only cost about 1/8!!!!
 
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Ok the build is done, crummy knife there for illustration purposes. Tested it all out wiring is correct 17 VDC All in a nice neat little package with storage for the marking paddle, felt, extra fuses, leads, stencils and what ever else I need to use for marking my creations! Need a couple things still felt, rubber bands and stencils. Next one I build will be in a metal toolbox as it would be much easier to fit everthing in and fit the panels etc... Gonna make a couple test stencils with Fingernail polish to make sure it works like I feel it should. Then probably hit Ernie up for stencils. I was gonna make my own but I don' have the time as of late.
 
Ok so I made a very crude stencil out of painters tape on a scrap piece of 01 steel, to try out the etcher. Worked very good! I tried differant DC voltage settings but it worked best on MAX. Did 3-4 30 second presses on DC then switched it over to AC for 2 30 second presses. Marked it very well. Keep in mind the steel was not heat treated. Still gonna have to play with it. Picture is not the best but you should be able to get the idea.

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Very cool!! You can see every little scratch you made through the fingernail polish
...that should give great detail on your mark!!
Good Job!
 
Very cool!! You can see every little scratch you made through the fingernail polish
...that should give great detail on your mark!!
Good Job!

Ted it worked pretty slick!! I knew the idea was sound just had to implement/finish build!! You have your stencils try it out on a scrap of steel or messed up blank! I think you'll like the result!!
 
I will....I'm trying to clear a machine. The job that got "canceled" keeps coming through in a trickle...enough to keep me re-setting it up and screwing up my time on knives...but I need every nickel right now so won't complain(too much...lol)
 
Do I need to add fuses to my setup? If yes...why?

No, I just did as a precaution. Mainly because of the SS panels if any if the "HOT" wires hit the SS it would pop the fuse. You could really just use the transformer on the DC side to etch then change the wires over to the AC side to mark. Don't really even need the switches just makes it easier and quicker to use.
 
You could really just use the transformer on the DC side to etch then change the wires over to the AC side to mark.

BE sure you're on the low voltage side of transformer on BOTH AC and DC - I'm sure that's what you mean, but wanted to be sure. Yes, I'd expect you'll need the max voltage on both DC and AC. When I was looking at train transformers to link to, it was the max voltages and max current I was looking for. Just for the etch, a person could drop out the volt adjust with no problem.

Ted, if you need help wiring, take photos and email to me and we'll talk thru it on phone.

Ken H>
 
BE sure you're on the low voltage side of transformer on BOTH AC and DC - I'm sure that's what you mean, but wanted to be sure. Yes, I'd expect you'll need the max voltage on both DC and AC. When I was looking at train transformers to link to, it was the max voltages and max current I was looking for. Just for the etch, a person could drop out the volt adjust with no problem.

Ted, if you need help wiring, take photos and email to me and we'll talk thru it on phone.

Ken H>

Yes, or the connection that says "ACCSESSORIES" (that's what it says on mine). Do not try to connect to the 110VAC or the part you plug into the wall bad things will happen!
 
BE sure you're on the low voltage side of transformer on BOTH AC and DC - I'm sure that's what you mean, but wanted to be sure. Yes, I'd expect you'll need the max voltage on both DC and AC. When I was looking at train transformers to link to, it was the max voltages and max current I was looking for. Just for the etch, a person could drop out the volt adjust with no problem.

Ted, if you need help wiring, take photos and email to me and we'll talk thru it on phone.

Ken H>
Thanks Ken!!
 
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Here's the basic set up....

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My little plate added to the train transformer....


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How to wire? Left center switch to left banana jack...right to right...but what about the terminals below? Which side to which side? I know which side of the rocker switch for ac/dc...but not left/right power terminal for left/right on rocker switch....

I'm thinking that keeping same side all the way through will keep continuity for ac/dc and then I can switch the direction switch if needed? how do I know if it's needed?lol...if my continuity theory is correct...
 
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