Notifications
Clear all

Ferric Chloride

13 Posts
6 Users
0 Reactions
3,690 Views
Robert Wright
Posts: 425
Member
Topic starter
 

Finishing up some of the blades we forged in school last month. Can someone recommend a supplier for ferric chloride? Going to make up a pvc tube for it, and don't know how much I will need. Full strength or diluted for hamons? Thanks in advance!

 
Posted : 17/05/2013 8:51 pm
Dale Huckabee
Posts: 217
Member
 

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

Dale Huckabee

Journeyman Smith

dalehuckabeeknives.weebly.com

 
Posted : 18/05/2013 10:34 am
Robert Wright
Posts: 425
Member
Topic starter
 

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

 
Posted : 18/05/2013 3:25 pm
BrionTomberlin
Posts: 1675
Member
 

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

Brion Tomberlin

Anvil Top Custom Knives

ABS Mastersmith

 
Posted : 18/05/2013 7:39 pm
Robert Wright
Posts: 425
Member
Topic starter
 

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

 
Posted : 18/05/2013 8:09 pm
Posts: 20
Eminent Member Journeyman Bladesmith
 

Robert,

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

Greg

 
Posted : 19/05/2013 10:57 am
Robert Wright
Posts: 425
Member
Topic starter
 

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

 
Posted : 19/05/2013 6:47 pm
Robert Wright
Posts: 425
Member
Topic starter
 

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?

 
Posted : 25/05/2013 12:18 pm
Dale Huckabee
Posts: 217
Member
 

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

Dale

Dale Huckabee

Journeyman Smith

dalehuckabeeknives.weebly.com

 
Posted : 25/05/2013 7:32 pm
Robert Wright
Posts: 425
Member
Topic starter
 

Thanks for the information Dale.

Bob

 
Posted : 25/05/2013 9:48 pm
Matthew Parkinson
Posts: 546
Honorable Member Journeyman Bladesmith (5yr)
 

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

 
Posted : 26/05/2013 9:10 am
Robert Wright
Posts: 425
Member
Topic starter
 

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

Thanks!

Bob

 
Posted : 26/05/2013 9:38 am
Posts: 71
Member
 

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

Link

Blue Lightning Stencils

Ernie Grospitch

 
Posted : 30/05/2013 6:38 am
Share: