How to mix ferric chloride (FeCl3) for etching a knife. 

at least I got to learn something else new.

Glad it helped, thanks for watching.

Thankyou.

Same to you

Windex would be a lot easier than caustic soda. Ill try that next time. Thanks Drew.

Live and learn

My pleasure, Glad it was useful.

Don't confuse stronger mix with being darker. The stronger it is, the more aggressive it is at pitting the metal. If you want darker, try a really (really, really) strong mix of instant coffee and soak in that overnight after the ferric.

@@FirePantsFabrication - I bought ferric chloride now. Two 16oz bottles of it. Is there anything to my hunch that maybe my heat treat was not even?

You're welcome!

unfortunately not. I've only ordered the liquid. Perhaps email the guys at Element14, they sell the same stuff as gameco (that's probably where it comes from) and should be able to advise.

If you leave it with cap on and then open later does it create any dangerous vapor for next time i open the cap or is it safe to reuse?

Yes I do, www.firepantsfab.com.au We have a few options on there.

It's still alive, slightly pitted.

I'm not aware of black PVC, but i know lots of people use the white PVC for storage.

Sort of. You need to look at electroplating to get a proper bond.

thankyou

Can you elaborate more on your caustic soda etching? What types of materials, do you just use it out of the bottle, how long?

@@6666todor You can buy caustic soda flakes at a local supermarket for your etching solution just mix it up with water be careful tho it generates a lot of heat, for your design you can use what people usually call a toner transfer method which is basically a reversed image printed with a laser printer, then you place the paper over the metal surface ad heat it up with a clothing iron, afterwards you will let it sit down until it cools down, then remove the paper very carefully you dont want to peel off any of the paint that will be deposited over the metal surface, cover all the parts that you dont want etched with plastic tape, apply the caustic soda with a pipette or brush and brush off the solution off the object every 5 minutes or so just so you know if everything is going ok, after that just clean it with water (I like to pour some vinegar over the surface just to be sure) if tou want to know moire about this tecnique you can search for "Acid etched pedal enclosure" on youtube

@@pedromartinazzo5036 Thank you! I'm familiar with other etching techniques, just haven't tried caustic, will do and see how it goes!

Which technique is more resistant over time on knives ?

@@RaduMichael The durability is dependant on the depth of the etch so I would say a 4 part Ferric Chloride 1 part Citric Acid would work the best because it will give you a deep etch, another thing you can try is to use this same solution but use old Ferric chloride that was used to etch copper such as in Pcb manufacturing, the reaction is much faster than with new Ferric chloride but the copper makes a crust over the aluminum so you have to clean it constantly which is why you add the citric acid to the solution

Not yet mate, I have some cable here, and a new forge. I need to give it a go.

yes, correct

yep, I know that now.

Shut up nerd

try Hydrochloric acid for etching stainless, but VG10 is not damascus.

Now I know. Thanks.

Caustic soda only eats glass when the temperature is kept very high for a long time. At room temperature it won't eat glassware. #chemistry

but its always a good idea to arrange additions so that it starts off weak or dilute just in case there is a splashback or spillage. Therefore adding chemicals to water means that you wont cover your hands and face with very concentrated solutions. Simple practical safe working method.