Written Tutorials

Building an Electro-Etching Unit

By Chris Crawford (August, 2003)

Knife maker Bob Warner, one of the moderators on the CDK Forums Tool Time forum, has a website which contains a nice group of tutorials on building some of your own shop equipment for knife making. One of his tutorials contains the diagrams and a parts list for building your own electro-etching unit. The following is a detailed description of how I built one of these units, and a list of the tools and parts used. Thanks to Bob for making the original information available and his willingness to share his knowledge. Bob’s website is www.warnerknives.com.

2019 UPDATE

Check out Red Beard Ops excellent YouTube video for an updated parts list and a video presentation of how to build the etcher.

Parts and Supplies

Almost all of the parts that I used for this box can be purchased from RadioShack. I would recommend ordering them from their website, www.radioshack.com, because you will stand a better chance of finding everything that you need than you will at one of the local stores. Another advantage to ordering from the website is that you will not have anybody trying to sell you a new cell phone or 60 days of free internet service. There are a few miscellaneous parts that you will have to get somewhere other than RadioShack. Most of these parts can be found around the shop or at Wal-Mart.

Radio Shack Part List

ItemPart Number
Slow Blow Fuse#270-1021
Screw Cap Panel Mount Fuse Holder#270-364
On-Off Toggle#275-602
DPDT 10 amp Toggle Center Off#275-1533

Heavy Duty Chassis Mount Transformer with Leads (25.2 VAC CT 2A)
More Info

Alternative Transformer: Triad F-56X
Mark Watson emailed me and said he was able to use this transformer. You can Google around to find the best price for it.

#273-1512
Old Number
8A / 400V Full Wave Bridge Rectifier#276-1181
Solderless Banana Plugs#274-721
Banana Jacks#274-725
120VAC Neon Lamp#272-712
Self Stick Rubber Feet#64-2346
Project Box 8x6x3#270-1809
6-Ft. AC Power Cord#61-212
Slim Line 2" Alligator Clips#270-346
UL-Recognized Hookup Wire (18AWG)#278-1226

 

Other Miscellaneous Items

ItemStore
Double Sided Foam TapeWal-Mart
FeltWal-Mart
Small Rubber BandsWal-Mart
Wire ConnectorsWal-Mart
Block of Wood
Small Piece of Stainless Steel

Tools

This is a complete list of the tools which I used. Not all of these tools are necessary, so if you don’t have something here, just use something else. Most of these are pretty common shop tools though.

More Important Tools

  • Soldering Iron & Solder
  • Hand Drill
  • Drill Bits (1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 5/16)
  • Sharpie Marker
  • Scissors
  • Philips Head Screw Driver (Small)
  • Pliers  

Less Important Tools

  • Drill Guide
  • Propane Torch 1/2
  • Round File
  • Philips Head Screw Driver (Large)
  • Adjustable Wrench
  • Leatherman Micro-Tool
  • Electrician’s Tape