Etching Silver - Help!

[squeekysqueeks]

Hi everyone, I've never tried any sort of etching and would like to experiment a bit. However, I'm scared stiff of everything I've read about Nitric Acid! Can anyone tell me of a 'safer' way of etching. I know I can buy the Stop-out from Cooksons but that is as far as I've got. Any advice would be gratefully received.:confused:
Many thanks.

[MuranoSilver]

What metals are you wanting to etch?
Peter put up some of the chemicals here http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/got-jewellery-question/1997-etching.html
and I found a tutorial for you for copper :)
etsy metal: Etching Brass and Copper (http://etsymetal.blogspot.com/2009/06/etching-brass-and-copper.html)
Nic x

[squeekysqueeks]

Thanks Nic. Thats useful. I'm experimenting with silver but perhaps I should practice on copper first!
Any idea where I could buy the nictric acid? And is there any reason why Cooksons doesn't sell it??
Jill

[MuranoSilver]

Nitric Acid is quite strong & can't easily be shipped so there's not many that will sell it and those that do tend to want you to collect it in person.
You could try contacting some of the chemical companies that show up on a Google search.
Someone else might be able to point you in the right direction though :)

[Petal]

What metals are you wanting to etch?
Peter put up some of the chemicals here http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/got-jewellery-question/1997-etching.html
and I found a tutorial for you for copper :)
etsy metal: Etching Brass and Copper (http://etsymetal.blogspot.com/2009/06/etching-brass-and-copper.html)
Nic x

Thanks for that tut Nic - some lovely designs there and its interesting to see what can be achieved with etching. I can see I'll have to get the Jinks McGrath book!

[lynnm]

I like the look and sound of this but suffer badly with the effects of chemicals (anything can set me off including washing powder, nightmare) is it really awful to work with? I really fancy having a go at this

[Diamanto]

There's a free tutuorial from art jewelry mag

Etch base metals by electrically supercharging saltwater.
By Ron Pascho

It's safe, and uses no chemicals. I have set it up and will be trying it this week sometime.
:o

[Lindyloo]

I've tried to find this tutorial, but can't. Where do I find it?

[Diamanto]

Hi Linda

Sorry it dos'nt come up in the search and I cannot post the link yet, so if you want to email me I can send you the PDF file of the project.

Diamanto

[MuranoSilver]

Thanks Diamanto
I've found the link from your info :Y:
The articles here - Art Jewelry Magazine - Free Metals Project: D Battery + Saltwater = Cheap, Acid-Free Etching (http://www.artjewelrymag.com/art/Default.aspx?c=a&id=1219)
You can only view it as a member but it's free to join.

Nic x
PS> Love the website Diamanto :)

[Diamanto]

Hi Nic

:ta:

Maybe a discussion area could be added for etching and electroforming and plating, I know I will need some help in the future.

Had a look at yours too, your creations are inspiring.

Diamanto:(

[SilverKiss]

I've bought ferric nitrate from www-megauk-com/pcb_chemicals.php (put your own dots in - can't post urls yet)

much safer than nitric acid. They also do ferric chloride is you want to etch copper, but so do Maplins (the electronics supply people). maplins also do PnP Blue.

Vitrum Signum (the enamelling people) are another source

[nickr]

You can useferric chloride for etching silver and copper. It is available from photographic suppliers such as Jessops.
Nick R

[Emerald]

thats very helpful thanks Nick there are Jessops in most towns x

[SilverKiss]

You can useferric chloride for etching silver and copper. It is available from photographic suppliers such as Jessops.
Nick R

Sorry, Nick. Ferric Chloride doesn't do for silver. You need ferric nitrate or nitric acid for that.

Ferric chloride is great for copper, and is much more widely available. Used a lot for etching electronics circuit boards. Was surprised to see Jessops doing it, though. What's the photography connection (assuming that's the one you mean).

[bruggen]

Hi I am a little bit in the same boat regarding the etching, want to do a bit on silver, so got the Myalls stop-out that Cooksons sell and found a company called Reagent Chemical Services Ltd on Google, I bought a bottle of Nitric Acid from them andit was delivered by courier, as yet that is as far as I have got. Though I have gone as far as getting a hazzard data sheet, chemical proof nitrile gloves and some glass-ware for the mixing etc but need to research more before I start.

[Lou_85]

Hi,
I am also interested in buying Ferric Nitrate from MegaUK but before I buy it I would like to know how to dispose of the solution once I’ve finished using it? I have printed out the data sheet which tells me to dispose of it “in accordance with local regulations via licensed contractor”. I’m sure if I then contact the council they will 1) be totally confused and not understand what I am on about and 2) have no answer for me
Any info/tips you could give me would be appreciated
Lou

[SJEgan]

Hey guys,

So how did people get on with this? I'm hoping to give it a shot thinking of trying this method with silver and seeing how it works. Have people made amazing things?

http://www.inbarbareket.info/blog/2011/04/17/green-electro-etching/