Photo-etching-Need some help.

[ScaleMotorcars]

We have world class model builders on this site with all kinds of experience so I hope one of you guys can help me.

I want to start offering photoeched parts but I haven't been able to find a company willing to do small runs. Everyone Ive contacted wants orders in the thousands to even consider it.

Any of you use or know of a photo etcher that can help me out?

[xken]

Here is a kit to do it yourself. The person I was going to recommend Tom's Model Work just passed away two days ago. The business is still going but with a backlog.

Try this MICRO-MARK PRO-ETCH PHOTO ETCH SYSTEM

Ken

[ScaleMotorcars]

Sorry to hear that.

I knew about the Micro-mark do it yourself kit. I really need someone that can do it for me. But thanks for the quick reply. Anyone else have any ideals.

[hot ford coupe]

That's not a bad price for the set. Anybody familiar with the quality of the products this kit produces?

[Herman]

I really would like to jump in. If I could. My story so far:

I bought a reasonable sized etch tank (3 compartiments, for developing, rinsing and etching) which are heated, and the etch compartiment is air-agitated. Stopcocks make it easy to drain the liquid once used up.

I see they recommend ferric chloride. Big mistake. although cheap, it makes a real mess. And I mean a REAL mess. Get it anywhere and, besides the etching, it will make stains that are impossible to remove. And the solution will get so dark that you cannot follow the etching process.

A better solution is sodium-per-sulfate solution. This allows you to see the etching process, and it does not stain. It is equally etching, however, so try not to spill it either.

The Micromark set is quite attractive, I must admit. However, you soon run into shortage of certain materials.

In Germany, there is a guy doing one-off photo work. Not the cheapest at all, but he also sells pre-coated sheet metals, which could be interesting.

I have also investigated the possibility to do my own coating of sheet metal, but the photo resist laquer has a low shelf life, so all shops I asked, will only sell me a box of 12, as they have no stock, and do not want stock. I might be able to arrange a single spraycan however by contacting the distributor, professionally I have contact with them already.

I have a project almost ready to produce some nice wheels (1:18, sorry guys) and although I would like to outsource this, I might be interested in doing a run myself. Still outsourcing appeals to me more, as time is my biggest enemy.

About the sunlight: Try and get hold of an old scanner (the bulkier, the better) and a facial sun burner (no idea what they are called at your place, but you get the idea). Build the lamps into the scanner (toss out the scanner lamp) and you have a safe and controllable processor.
Time is dependant on intensity, but also on laquer thickness. (that is why the prepainted metal sheets appeal to me)

How to allign the 2 sides for double sided etching (twice as fast, twice as accurate!) is a complete other story, a vacuumed pouch is the most appealing option i have seen so far.

Greatest joke:

I have never etched anything so far. The above is all "desk research".....

[Ton]

Here is a company in Germany....really made in germany quality

Roth

[ScaleMotorcars]

Thanks Herman, Thanks Ton...

Anyone with a USA company, my German isn't that good. OK its horific...

[Tage]

I am also very interested in anyone who can shed light on this process.

I just ordered the MicroMark set Friday, I need to PE some carb parts for the 1:6 426 hemi.
Each carb is a scratch building kit. I have no idea what I am getting into here, but my general feeling is that if someone has figured it out, I can also.

I suppose I need to start with drawings of the unfolded bits I want to create.

I would appreciate any any addition info, like the previous post, you folks have to offer.

[Bob Cline]

I bought the MM kit a year ago and haven't touched it.

If you guys want to get together to compare notes, that would be an inducement for me to dust it off. I'm not sure the components are still viable.

I initally wanted to make the hardware to superdetail Stromberg 97's. I have the artwork, but need a kick in the butt.

[MADD FABRICATOR]

Bob, like you I purchased the MM kit a little over a year ago, with basically the same intention as you, "Stromberg linkage". I got very side tracked with working on the Willy's style body, so the photo etch deal got layed aside. I'm very much involved in developing some new bodies for the Madd Fabricator line of 1/8 th scale fiberglass bodies and simply don't have the time to persue doing the photo etch thing. So here goes, " I'm kicking your BU - - !!!!, Get busy and let us know how it works out.
CHEERZZZZ !!!!!!! (MF)

[Lancair IV]

Hey guys, I'm looking at purchasing the Pro-Etch system from micro mark. Do you guys have an update?

Cheers