Studio Saturday

etching silver metal - part 4 - electro etching

Thanks for joining me in my studio. Finally we will electro etch the metal!

This step is really the easiest step. Success rests on the pattern and how well it was transferred. Now it’s just a matter of connecting the leads from the rectifier and placing the piece in the etching bath. Since I am etching silver, I need a scrap piece of silver for the cathode to complete the electrical circuit in the bath. I etch with the amps at about 3.0. I adjust the voltage to achieve that setting.

I prepared the piece with tape on the back leaving just enough room at the top to connect the anode clip. I used an oil pen on the edges. I taped the leads down to assure that the 2 pieces of metal face each other. I etched for about 25 minutes. I checked the progress after 15 minutes.

I was happy with the depth of the etch. The piece of silver I etched was 6” by 1.5”. My intention was to make a cuff bracelet. The pattern I chose did not cover the metal all the way to the ends. And I’m not happy with the ends at the moment. I might be able to sand them smooth and obtain a nice finish. But I’m not sure. Also, I used a new brand of oil paint pen, and it did not hold up in the bath and the edges etched a little. Need to order my decocolor oil paint pen from Amazon. I should be able to clean them up. Another option might be to forget making a cuff and make something else using areas on the silver that I am happy with.

So, the next step is to create some jewelry.

Thanks for being here.

Louise x