I normally get mine at Radio Shack but will probably get it from ebay next time. Sierra Chemical has it there for $39.99 a gallon.

Dale

Thanks Dale! I'll probably order mine, too.

Robert the standard ratio is 3 or 4 parts water to one part ferric. For hamons you probably want to do a series of short etches, say 10 seconds, with cleaning oxides and polishing in between. I usually go about 4 to 6 light etches with polishing in between.

Brion

Thanks for the information Brion. I'm trying to gather all the necessary supplies while my propane forge is curing.

Robert,

I have ordered fec in both powdered and liquid form on ebay. I mu h prefer the liquid.

Greg

Dale, Brion, and Greg,

Thanks again to everyone for your great input. I found the ebay store that Dale mentioned and will be ordering it. Free shipping I like!

Bob

My ferric chloride arrive four days after ordering from the ebay source Dale suggested. Well packaged, reasonably priced, and free shipping! We used windex between etchings in school. What are some other neutralizers that can be used, or is windex commonly used?

You can use a strong solution of baking soda and water.

Dale

Thanks for the information Dale.

Bob

be sure to use distilled water to mix, tap water can have chlorine among other things in it that can cause issues with the etch. Tap water might be fine or it might not, I didn't know about this and had always used tap, then I moved my shop and replaced my etchant the water from the new shop gave me no end of trouble with inconsistent etches until I replaced my etchant (again) and used distilled water... no more problems.

MP

Matthew, More good info! I had thought about that as we are an on a well, hard water issues.

Thanks!

Bob

Hello,

I get my Ferric Chloride and Citric acid from Daniel Smith Art Supplies. The Citric Acid is added to the Ferric Chloride.

Very inexspencive

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