Homemade electro etcher

[Webber]

I've got a 32" monitor so that really is larger than life, and it's still lovely and crisp!
Cheers Ian, I'll give him a shout tomorrow and have a chat.

Del

[tatsumi]

Yes Ernie Webber, I think Ian just summed up my thoughts on Press n peel well!

I did however meet Mick Shaw today in sheffield, real gent and the quality of his work is unreal in detail so ill be investing in a stamp first then stencil, will be doing this build as well for hardened blades.

[Webber]

Yes Ernie Webber, I think Ian just summed up my thoughts on Press n peel well!

I did however meet Mick Shaw today in sheffield, real gent and the quality of his work is unreal in detail so ill be investing in a stamp first then stencil, will be doing this build as well for hardened blades.

I recently bought a few sheets of press n peel, but can't figure out my (free) art software to get a logo going. Won't reverse, need it in negative, you know the score.
I was gonna persevere with it but if there's a better option, I'm all up for.

Yeah, I thought about a stamp too, but I think a stencil would probably suit my style of knives better. Plus it takes me a while to get a blank up to being HT ready just for me to wallop a stamp in on the pi55.

I think I'd probably cry!

[tree_creeper]

If you want to try the press and peel route try using Inkscape, its a free vector program so no pixel'y fonts when you shrink or enlarge but imho its just not worth the agro. Then its getting a good bond with the toner to your steel which takes a lot of practice. Try it by all means but by the time youve bought the press and peel, then found a laser printer, then wasted half of them trying to get a good etch you'll reach a point like I did and say sod this for a laugh.
The stencils are a breeze, tape on, etch, remove stencil, job done

[SwissTony]

I recently bought a few sheets of press n peel, but can't figure out my (free) art software to get a logo going. Won't reverse, need it in negative, you know the score.

If you want, PM me a link to the image and I can have a go at reversing it for you.

[Webber]

If you want to try the press and peel route try using Inkscape, its a free vector program so no pixel'y fonts when you shrink or enlarge but imho its just not worth the agro. Then its getting a good bond with the toner to your steel which takes a lot of practice. Try it by all means but by the time youve bought the press and peel, then found a laser printer, then wasted half of them trying to get a good etch you'll reach a point like I did and say sod this for a laugh.
The stencils are a breeze, tape on, etch, remove stencil, job done

If you want, PM me a link to the image and I can have a go at reversing it for you.

It's Inkscape that I'm using and so far I've got the logo and managed to reverse it, I've also managed to resize it (I know what you mean now about the no pixely bits. I tried Serif too and that was super pixely) but getting it in negative is apparently beyond my means.
I haven't had a chance yet but I think I might cut my losses and give Ernie a shout.

Thanks for your help fellas, Del

[Rambler]

It's Inkscape that I'm using and so far I've got the logo and managed to reverse it, I've also managed to resize it (I know what you mean now about the no pixely bits. I tried Serif too and that was super pixely) but getting it in negative is apparently beyond my means.
I haven't had a chance yet but I think I might cut my losses and give Ernie a shout.

Thanks for your help fellas, Del

Draw a box using the box icon on the left hand side of inscape, colour it black using the colour choice boxes at the bottom and then switch to white and then put your logo in the black box, or highlight the logo using a right hand mouse click and then select white. I'm in pretty much the same position as you at the moment Webber, I've managed to print the logos onto the press 'n' peel but I can't seem to transfer the logo onto the knife, even with the iron on hottest settings and pressed on for five minutes! Hope this helps.

[Webber]

That did help a lot thanks.

Right I've given it another go, I've figured out how to layer stuff now so it's all sitting where I want it to. Now's the moment of truth...
I'm gonna duplicate the logo, print off a sheet, give it a go, and see how long my patience holds out.

Wish me luck!

[Tjolbi]

Good luck and take pictures.

[Webber]

Thanks Tjolbi, will do.
But it seems i have another issue with inkscape now. It'll print a single logo but when i copy and paste multiple times to fill the page it won't print anymore. Instead it prints an early file that i don't even have anymore!

Has anyone else had this issue cos the end of my tether is fast approaching...

Cheers, Del

[Rambler]

Thanks Tjolbi, will do.
But it seems i have another issue with inkscape now. It'll print a single logo but when i copy and paste multiple times to fill the page it won't print anymore. Instead it prints an early file that i don't even have anymore!

Has anyone else had this issue cos the end of my tether is fast approaching...

Cheers, Del

Click on file at the top of inkscape and then save the whole image as a vector file onto your desktop, then copy the image into Office Word or similar and then copy and paste all the way down the page and print! Good luck.

[tree_creeper]

don't forget to group the items together

Save using another program just use the tile feature in inkscape, search youtube plenty of vids showing you how to do it!

[Webber]

Click on file at the top of inkscape and then save the whole image as a vector file onto your desktop, then copy the image into Office Word or similar and then copy and paste all the way down the page and print! Good luck.

don't forget to group the items together

Save using another program just use the tile feature in inkscape, search youtube plenty of vids showing you how to do it!

I now have a full page of logos printed to press n peel and waiting to be used, so thanks again.
I'll be giving it a go tomorrow and will have some pics up as soon as I got a result.

Del

[tree_creeper]

Good luck matey, fingers crossed for you
Just remember to use something between the press n peel and iron (sheet of paper), allow the steel to cool before you remove the stencil and whilst heating it up keep giving it a rub with your finger (wrapped in a bit of rag to help prevent blisters!)

[Webber]

Cheers Ian. I tried everything you suggested there and (da da daaaaa!) These are the results....

This is about the 7th attempt to finally get it to adhere properly so-
Logo printed, stuck down, all edges sealed, extra resist in the form of permanent marker.
(Looks neat and crisp, I like it so far!)


Etched and blacked.....

...and crap...





I'm not fussed about those two blobs, that's probably my fault, but the lines have lost all definition even past the resist. Hmm...

Best give it another go then...
A couple more attempts to get one to stick (I'm getting good at this now ) and...

This one's even worse!

Now I'm not used to actually getting worse at things the more I practice, and I really think I've given this a fair crack, but the bottom line is, it's just too hit and miss for me to trust this on a blank I might have been working on for a couple of weeks.
If this was the one and only available option then I might've stuck with it but there's an easier, faster and more reliable way.
Bit of a no-brainer really.

Thanks so much all you folks who gave me your help and advice with the press and peel route, but I think I'm gonna have to go over to the dark side and throw some money at Ernie instead.

Del