Lampwork Etc.
 
Mountain Glass Arts

LE Live Chat

Enter Live Chat

No users in chat


The Flow

Beads of Courage


 

Go Back   Lampwork Etc. > Library > Tips, Techniques, and Questions

Tips, Techniques, and Questions -- Technical questions or tips

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 2009-12-29, 1:48pm
demcc2's Avatar
demcc2 demcc2 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 11, 2009
Location: Massachusetts...I95 south...before Rhode Island
Posts: 2,006
Default ETCHING

Ugghhh..... What type of etching stuff do you guys recommend?

I got some etching cream from Wale last spring. I have been playing around with clear glass, making spacers, and applying the creme. I desire a final result of the spacers appearing with a HEAVY frost. No matter how long the creme stays on, I'm only getting a slight etching.

Any suggestions/ tips out there? Thanks

Duane
__________________
ETSY SHOP IS NOW OPEN

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
REVAMPED WEBSITE NOW OPEN


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 2009-12-29, 2:04pm
tt4st tt4st is offline
just plain silly
 
Join Date: Sep 11, 2006
Location: SoCal
Posts: 560
Default

I use "Etch Bath Glass Dipping Solution" I get from the local Michael's craft store. It's expensive but I use their coupons to knock down the price. It etches quickly and I only need to leave the beads in it for a few minutes - throw them into some water with baking soda - rinse off well - and they are good to go. It works for me but maybe I don't know what a HEAVY etch is
__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Suzanne
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 2009-12-29, 2:09pm
Lisi's Avatar
Lisi Lisi is offline
one day at a time
 
Join Date: Jun 27, 2005
Location: We are MOVING!!!
Posts: 8,319
Default

The crystals you can get at Arrowsprings work the best, I think. You mix them in water, which is added to the plastic jar they come in. Cheaper than other brands also.

If you get whitish crud on your beads after etching, use a toothbrush and a little toothpaste to scrub them clean. Works like a charm.
__________________
You live in a world of money. Money means choices. No money, no choices. Welcome to reality.
Melody (Marlee Matlin) from Switched at Birth
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 2009-12-29, 3:50pm
mtarara mtarara is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 08, 2005
Posts: 2,907
Default

I can vouch for Arrow Springs crystals too. I've tried many different kinds and the crystals give me the most consistent and even etch. And they last a long long time!!!
Mary T.
__________________
GTT Scorpion, Griffin Glass footpedal, EX15 oxycon

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 2009-12-29, 3:54pm
demcc2's Avatar
demcc2 demcc2 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 11, 2009
Location: Massachusetts...I95 south...before Rhode Island
Posts: 2,006
Default

Hi guys! Thanks for your responses! I haven't used Arrow Springs in ages (I won't get into the reasons here) but I'll be checking out their etching crystals now.

Duane
__________________
ETSY SHOP IS NOW OPEN

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
REVAMPED WEBSITE NOW OPEN


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 2009-12-29, 5:53pm
Elizabeth Beads's Avatar
Elizabeth Beads Elizabeth Beads is offline
Lampworkaholic!
 
Join Date: Apr 22, 2008
Location: Cornelius, NC - because weather
Posts: 5,158
Default

Consider tumble etching in a rock tumbler?
__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

"And all will turn to silver glass, a light on the water, grey ships pass into the west." Annie Lennox
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 2009-12-29, 7:18pm
bexrox's Avatar
bexrox bexrox is offline
Lover of Life
 
Join Date: Dec 31, 2007
Location: Edmonton AB Canada
Posts: 1,671
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by erose View Post
Consider tumble etching in a rock tumbler?
Can you give any more info on this?

Thanks!
__________________
Becky
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


"Your dreams are waiting for you to come true."
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 2009-12-29, 9:18pm
gubnavnania's Avatar
gubnavnania gubnavnania is offline
I need more boro stuff
 
Join Date: May 10, 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 1,672
Default

I use Arrow Spring's etching crystals as well.
__________________
Yunita

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 2009-12-29, 9:51pm
SadiesJewels's Avatar
SadiesJewels SadiesJewels is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 21, 2005
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 4,629
Default

Yep another vote for the arrow springs etching crystals.

I've also tumble etched - it takes much much longer and is totally messy, but for non etchable glass like boro it's the way to go. Silicon Carbide grit (different sizes - I prefer a finer grit - perhaps 120?) in a rotary tumbler. Allow at least 3 days tumbling. Not as fine an etch ... but perhaps an even finer grit would get there. I have one tumbling drum with etching grit in, one for tumbling silver to a slight abrasive finish (with ceramic media) and one stainless steel shot for burnishing. Never mix them.
__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 2009-12-30, 11:02am
deirdreschaneman's Avatar
deirdreschaneman deirdreschaneman is offline
Likes to melt stuff...
 
Join Date: Jan 18, 2009
Posts: 105
Default

Are you etching boro or soft glass?
__________________
Check out my etsy:
[url]http://deirdreschaneman.etsy.com
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 2010-01-15, 10:47am
Jody Lee's Avatar
Jody Lee Jody Lee is offline
state-eternal change
 
Join Date: Sep 09, 2006
Location: Sunnyvale CA
Posts: 710
Default

Where do you get the silicon carbide grit?
__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 2010-01-16, 8:20am
RSimmons's Avatar
RSimmons RSimmons is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 01, 2005
Posts: 2,159
Default

Safety Point: DO NOT etch beads in your kitchen. Don't use utensils that will contact food ever again. Use nitrile gloves and eye protection. The etching solutions are hazardous materials and quite toxic, so be careful with them.

Robert
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 2010-01-16, 12:10pm
ozarkcat's Avatar
ozarkcat ozarkcat is offline
I'm listen-Oooh, sparkly!
 
Join Date: Jul 24, 2009
Location: Southwest Missouri Ozarks
Posts: 160
Default

Roll the beads in baking soda while HOT will give you a decent matte finish, but I'm not sure if it'll change your colors. If you do it repeatedly, you can get some kinda cool effects - heavier pitting with the color showing through. Found it in a book, maybe Making Glass Beads by Cindy Jenkins? Just a guess, I'm too lazy to find the book right now
__________________
Cat

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

"Be the change you want to see in the world." Ghandi
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 2010-01-16, 6:47pm
RSimmons's Avatar
RSimmons RSimmons is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 01, 2005
Posts: 2,159
Default

You can do the baking soda thing and get some serious pitting on the surface. This surface is very 'grabby' and will catch on fabric. Tumble these beads with SS shot for a couple of hours and you get a really cool surface that doesn't catch fabrics.

Robert
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 2010-04-13, 11:00am
mjvanhorn's Avatar
mjvanhorn mjvanhorn is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 31, 2005
Posts: 128
Default

I just ran into something interesting....I've been shopping for tumblers and I have called 3 places and they all have said they have never heard of using steel shot in tumblers to etch glass, but from what I'm reading that seems to be what everyone is using. They recommend differing types of grit and then a polish?

Just curious on what people use in their tumbles, and how long does it take to etch beads in a tumbler using shot?

Thanks everyone!

Mike
__________________
My Ebay -
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

"Lifes to short to drink cheap wine..."
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 2010-04-13, 11:06am
tgslampwork's Avatar
tgslampwork tgslampwork is offline
Meow.
 
Join Date: Jun 10, 2005
Location: Physically? Or mentally?
Posts: 5,035
Default

Hey Mike - you cannot use steel shot to etch beads, but it will polish silver very nicely!
__________________
Kim

Go on. Click it!

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


Yes. We. Did!
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 2010-04-13, 4:59pm
SadiesJewels's Avatar
SadiesJewels SadiesJewels is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 21, 2005
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 4,629
Default

Yep steel shot is not abrasive but acts as a burnisher ... grits are what you need to mechanically etch glass.

I imagine that in Robert's scenario the steel shot (if he has that correct) must knock off the little glass protrusions caused by the baking soda bubbles?
__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 2010-04-14, 5:54pm
Sheila D.'s Avatar
Sheila D. Sheila D. is offline
Sheila Davis Designs
 
Join Date: May 23, 2009
Location: Olympia
Posts: 3,351
Default

I use Etch-all liquid,seems to work pretty good for me and easier than applying a cream.
__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 2010-04-18, 10:12pm
Judith Billig's Avatar
Judith Billig Judith Billig is offline
Formerly Icarus Beads :)
 
Join Date: Jul 04, 2009
Location: Morgan Hill, CA
Posts: 2,245
Default

Can't seem to find the etching crystals on Arrow Spring's website.
Maybe they're just out of stock temporarily but I'm wondering if they still sell these.
Does someone know?
__________________
Facebook ->
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Etsy Vintage shop
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Webpage ->
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 2010-04-19, 7:27am
papimom papimom is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 30, 2005
Location: in the trees with the squirrels and the nuts
Posts: 1,417
Default

If you want to tumble etch, putting a tub of cheap glass beads in your tumbler with an extra fine grit (1200 or 1600) silicon carbide works great and gives a very silky finish.
Joan
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 2010-04-19, 5:17pm
KayG7's Avatar
KayG7 KayG7 is offline
..in withdrawal....
 
Join Date: Sep 17, 2005
Location: Athens, GA
Posts: 321
Default

You can get the tumbling grit from, Kingsley North
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 2010-04-19, 7:12pm
Jinx Garza's Avatar
Jinx Garza Jinx Garza is offline
Now in living color
 
Join Date: Jul 02, 2005
Location: Columbia, Maryland
Posts: 1,123
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sheila D. View Post
I use Etch-all liquid,seems to work pretty good for me and easier than applying a cream.
Ditto. Three minutes. Done. So easy.

Jinx
__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 2010-04-20, 3:59am
j2canoe's Avatar
j2canoe j2canoe is offline
thecoralcat
 
Join Date: Jul 16, 2009
Location: Upstate South Carolina about 20 minutes south of Asheville, NC
Posts: 1,555
Default

I use the Etch-All liquid that does a respectable job. I got it at Amazon.com for much less than I saw elsewhere.
__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

The Victorian Style Floral available now!
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
NEW TUTORIAL!
Joan - Ancient Creator of Unique Disasters in glass!
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 5:18pm.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Your IP: 44.204.204.14