Hand etching/engraving options help plz

[Piero]

Hi guys

Spent far to long hand shaping a small fuel tap for a scooter project I am doing.

It's turned out very well but I'd like something engraved on it,

The original tap has a symbol to show "open, closed"

Not sure if I fancy messing it up trying a cheap hand engraver myself

Tried a few ideas with a pencil

What options are out there plz

 

[Agroshield]

What options are out there plz

Vinyl cut mask and then etch or blast are two possible options. Etching is material-dependent. I think steel can be done with a salt solution. To understand the principle, look up the electroless plating kits, which are a power supply connected to a paintbrush, start at the end of the instructions and read backwards.

 

[carbon]

Take a look at this thread Vinyl etch especially the second page

 

[6ply]

What options are out there plz

Letter punch?

 

[oldbikedavey]

Letter punch?

That's what they do best , punching letters into things.....

 

[chunkolini]

I'd sub that one out.
A tiny detail that if wrong would insult you for ever.
Even if no-one else sees it.

 

[Kram]

@Onoff has had great results with electo etching, and photo etching using acid.

I have a cheap roll of amazon photo resist somewhere, I have been intending to try it one day.

 

[Onoff]

Cricut stencil then saltwater etching?

 

[Blue Chips]

What kind of metal is it? I've made a number of reproduction aluminium and brass data plates using a photo-resist and acid etch process.

Forum post of an aluminium plate I made HERE and a brass plate HERE.

 

[Onoff]

Post #29520:

Post in thread 'Stuff you have made today'

Nov 15, 2024

Electro etching?

Variation on the theme with saltwater as the electrolyte and a Cricut stencil:

Video:

https://flic.kr/p/2ofX5BA

Completed:

https://flic.kr/p/2ogiu5z

• Onoff

• 

 

[Gareth J]

@selectedgrub is good at finding details with chunks of metal that look like they were cast originally.

Personally, I think punched letters are too high risk and will look too crude anyway.