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OK, so I was on a mission to find some Ferric Chloride solution. It's commonly used for etching circuit boards -- it's a good, relatively non-toxic etchant for copper & brass. I want to etch some copper and brass texture plates to use with my rolling mill -- and get some practice before I try etching silver. The process is the same, but the mineral salt is different.
I know that Radio Shack used to carry FeCl, because I've purchased it there in the past. However, it appears that they're now more into cell phones and puffery than hardcore geekery and no longer carry it. It might have to do with the HazMat warnings...or maybe there just aren't enough modders around. :-)
Anyway I called several other electronic emporia and no one was carrying it. Then I turned to art supply shops because it's also used by printmakers for etching plates and intaglio work. Still no luck. It turns out that part of the reason was that I was asking for Ferric Chloride. I checked out Dick Blick online and found that they carry "Copper Etching Solution" which is (you guessed it) FeCl. So I called one of the local DB shops, and sure enough, they have Copper Etching Solution. $4.68 a pint. Problem solved.
Now, I wonder if I had just asked for Copper Etching Solution at all those other stores I called?????
Oh well, tomorrow I will have the means to play with copper and brass in a whole new way... If they turn out halfway decent, I may even post some of the results.
I know that Radio Shack used to carry FeCl, because I've purchased it there in the past. However, it appears that they're now more into cell phones and puffery than hardcore geekery and no longer carry it. It might have to do with the HazMat warnings...or maybe there just aren't enough modders around. :-)
Anyway I called several other electronic emporia and no one was carrying it. Then I turned to art supply shops because it's also used by printmakers for etching plates and intaglio work. Still no luck. It turns out that part of the reason was that I was asking for Ferric Chloride. I checked out Dick Blick online and found that they carry "Copper Etching Solution" which is (you guessed it) FeCl. So I called one of the local DB shops, and sure enough, they have Copper Etching Solution. $4.68 a pint. Problem solved.
Now, I wonder if I had just asked for Copper Etching Solution at all those other stores I called?????
Oh well, tomorrow I will have the means to play with copper and brass in a whole new way... If they turn out halfway decent, I may even post some of the results.