Metal engraving at home. How to make an inscription on metal with your own hands? Electrochemical engraving. Laser engraving

Photo report on how to make a simple engraving on a knife blade. A nice gift for your beloved wife, girlfriend, mother, grandmother or sister.

We take a knife. We clean it from dirt and other nasty things with nail polish remover.

We take out the film photoresist from the shelf (you must first put it on the shelf) and cut out the piece we need.

The photoresist has a thin protective film on both sides. We tear off the film on one side (I glued tape to the edge).

And carefully glue it onto the knife. The main thing here is calm and attentiveness. You shouldn’t try it while you’re hungover, because the photoresist should lie very flat and without air bubbles. (by the way, I still have some left)

We take film to print on a laser printer (I couldn’t find where to buy it in my city, I had to order it through an online store) and print whatever your heart desires, the main thing is not too thin lines. I racked my brain for a long time about what I could write on a kitchen knife, and decided to surprise my wife. He’ll come home from work, take a knife to cut some bread and be happy (I hope)! My printer is ancient, so the toner stained the film a little, but in principle it’s okay.

We illuminate the whole thing under a UV lamp. I bought a 5W one, so I illuminated it for about 10 minutes at a close distance; if the lamp is more powerful, you need to experiment with distance and time.

While the knife is illuminated, prepare a solution of soda ash. You can buy it at the hardware store, it’s just regular washing soda. I poured a heaped teaspoon into a half-liter jar. Mix all this badya until completely dissolved.

After 10 minutes we take out the knife. We remove the top film from the photoresist (also attached with tape) and see what we got. The photoresist should darken and the inscription should be clearly visible. If the inscription is not visible, then there are 2 reasons: either it was not exposed enough, as a result of which all the photoresist will dissolve in our solution, or the printed lines were too thin (not black enough) and all the photoresist was exposed.

Dissolve the unexposed photoresist in a soda solution. I dangled the knife and lightly rubbed it with my finger. The main thing is not to press too hard.

As a result, the chem. reaction, the unexposed photoresist completely dissolves. Make sure it dissolves down to the metal... Rinse with water and blot dry with a towel.

Just in case, cover the edges with varnish.

We steal plasticine from the child (in the store) and paste it along the contour. Glue the plasticine carefully so that there are no holes.

Fill with a solution of salt water (I poured a teaspoon into 200 grams). We take an unnecessary power supply (I took 12v 1.5A, we definitely don’t need more), throw + on the knife, and drive the negative terminal through the water. The main thing is not to keep (-) in water for a long time. We moved it for 5-7 seconds and pulled out the terminal. We repeated it 3-4 times, replaced the salt water solution, and at the same time looked at what happened.

Depending on the metal, the inscription may or may not turn black. In my case this is what happened. To make the inscription not only “convex”, but also different in color, I poured a solution of ferric chloride here for a couple of minutes. (without electricity of course).

We remove the plasticine, wash it, wipe it. We remove the remaining photoresist with the same solvent.. Actually, this is what came out of all this!

Today we will introduce you to a small but useful guide from one of the best modders of the site www.bit-tech.net - Magnus Person

To achieve success in modding, you need to use a set of generally accepted techniques. One of the main ones is engraving. And this is not as simple as it might seem to the average person at first glance. Therefore, today we will introduce you to a small but useful guide from one of the best modders of the site www.bit-tech.net - Magnus Persson.

If you believe that engraving gives any case a whole new perspective and want to try creating your first masterpiece yourself, then you will find this article somewhat interesting. Magnus' many years of experience in this field will help us determine the basic principles and laws of engraving.

Engraving is one of the easiest ways to create a unique look for your case. Today we will try to convey to you the basic knowledge necessary for a modder. Before starting work, a number of questions arise: “What tool should I use?”, “What attachments should I buy?”, “Should I engrave aluminum, steel or plexiglass?”, and the main one – “What should I do to achieve the desired result?”

We hope that while reading this article you will find answers to all of the above questions.

Today, machines suitable for home engraving are available from many different brands and companies. But Magnus is used to using equipment from only one manufacturer - Dremel. The modder tried to use products from other companies, but he never found anything better. Therefore, without any doubt, he recommends only Dremel.

If we talk about a specific model, then the enthusiast settled on the Dremel 400. In the USA it has a slightly different name - Dremel 400 XPR.

The company's lineup also includes wireless models, but Magnus recommends using them only when working on very small objects. In addition, periodic recharging takes a lot of time and distracts from direct work.

You will also need to purchase a few add-ons for the engraving device. First, the Dremel 225 Flexshaft is a must-have. This extension makes engraving much easier. Instead of holding a large Dremel, you are holding an object that is only slightly larger than a regular pencil. In addition, this allows you to absorb a significant part of the vibration. Another good thing is the 2222 Flexshaft Tool Holder, a Dremel holder that also makes the engraving process a little easier.

Now it's time to take a closer look at the attachments. There are an unimaginable variety of types and models. Be that as it may, they can all be divided into two broad categories: for aluminum/metal and for plexiglass.

For metals, Magnus always uses diamond-coated bits. Thanks to them, you can improve the quality of the final result. In addition, the strength of the nozzles increases significantly.

When working with plexiglass, you can also use attachments with diamond shavings. But in this case their use is not justified - most often it is impossible to notice any difference in the result from the usual ones.

In terms of specific models, Magnus uses the following accessories: Dremel Diamond Accessories 7103, 7105 and 7134 for Aluminum/Steel and Accessories 105, 106 and 107 for Perspex.

Having purchased the basic tools, we are completely ready to begin engraving work. Or rather, almost completely. The fact is that only a fairly small number of people with true talent can “take it and create.” The rest need to first develop a detailed design. This is usually done on a computer using suitable software. But how to transfer the workpiece to the surface of the material with sufficient accuracy?

Magnus recommends using Pelican Plentycopy carbon paper. You simply print the desired design on it, apply it to the material you want to engrave on, and trace it with a regular pencil. After this, smooth and neat lines remain on the surface of the metal or plexiglass, indicating the edges of the engraving. This may not be the cheapest, but it is the highest quality method.

Enough words, it's time to get down to business. First, Magnus will try to engrave the logo of the website www.bit-tech.net. When covering large areas, it is necessary to apply stripes in one direction, otherwise the pattern will look less aesthetically pleasing. Also, one of the main conditions for obtaining a decent result is the absence of negligence and haste. It is important not to apply too much force or try to force the nozzle into the material. Remember, it's the machine that has to do all the work, not you!

Contours engraved using bit 7134

Nozzle 7105 is used for filling

Acrylic engraving differs significantly from that discussed above. The reason for the differences is primarily lower strength and hardness compared to aluminum or metal. So one of the most important conditions for processing plexiglass is maintaining the depth of the engraving.

You also need to be careful with the speed - if it increases significantly, the material will begin to melt.

It should be remembered that when engraving plexiglass, the side on which the design is applied should always be inside the body. This introduces certain difficulties. So, if you need to draw an asymmetrical picture or inscription, you will have to work in mirror mode. Magnus himself made mistakes in this several times, so he had to start all over again from scratch. Of course, you can place a sheet of plexiglass with the pattern facing outward, but this somewhat reduces the visual effect.

At the initial stage of acrylic engraving we use nozzle 106

One of the features of working with plexiglass is the ability to choose the engraving texture. You can use lines or dots, as Magnus does.

An undeniable advantage of choosing plexiglass as a material is the possibility of organizing lighting. In many cases, it can significantly change the visual perception of the drawing. All you need is a set of LEDs or, as Magnus did in this case, cold cathode lamps.

Here we come to the end of our little engraving guide. As in any other business, there are hundreds of secrets, tricks and features that can only be learned by actually doing the work. So don't be afraid, it's never too late to start. And the main thing is not to forget the basic rule: do not rush.

Magnus heads off to work on his next body and lets us enjoy a small photo gallery of his engraving work.

Thousands of years ago, humanity mastered the method of drawing on metal. The method was based on removing the top layer of the surface of a substance using improvised methods. With the appearance of metal in human everyday life, the need arose to master a new craft - engraving.

The latest equipment and technological process allow us to create beautiful, unique things. The machine method involves working in automatic mode, which significantly saves time. For the home type of work, it is enough to master the methods of artistic work. The transfer of the design can be done with a laser or a special machine.

Main types of metal engraving

The craft called engraving appeared many centuries ago. Items and decorations, custom engravings are passed down through generations. Engraving on metal allows you to give the product an individual look and uniqueness. In practice, there are several types of engraving.

Hand engraving was the first to appear and is in demand for jewelry to this day. It is almost impossible to machine parts with an uneven surface. Inscriptions on rings and other jewelry are mostly done by hand. The tool for the work is a gravel, a small chisel with a pointed end. Hand engraving makes it look nice and adds value. The disadvantages of this method are the high price; the work requires the necessary professional skills and craftsmanship.

With the mechanical method, a special machine is used, a special milling tool is used, which removes part of the top layer from the surface of the product. Simple work, as well as its low cost, made this method almost the most common. The surface of the product must be as smooth as possible and correspond to the dimensions of the equipment frame. High-strength materials are processed with diamond-coated tools.

Laser engraving on metal is a newer way to process products. The speed of work and the availability of technology have made the method the most used type. The product takes on the required design or inscription by burning it with laser engraving .

This type has several disadvantages, one of them is that the inscription or design is quickly erased from the product. Laser engraving on jewelry looks aesthetically pleasing; the quality of the work depends on the tool and the skill of the craftsman.

General technology

Carrying out engraving processes involves many types of techniques. The main methods are manual and mechanical, the latter is divided into the categories of defensive and line.

1. A three-dimensional design can be obtained by using defense engraving; deeper processing involves three-dimensional engraving.
2. When performing surface actions, the line technique is used. The process is carried out in several steps, the lines of the processing contour are drawn, and part of the metal is removed from the surface using dashed movements.

Blackening can be achieved without the use of special equipment. Mixed substances of potassium carbonate and sulfur are used, the proportions are one to two. It is necessary to place the mixture of materials on low heat in a convenient container, the process must be closely monitored and the composition must be mixed. After the composition has blackened, the fire is turned off and the mixture is ground in a mortar. The blackening process occurs in several steps:

• The composition is mixed with water in a ratio of one to 9.
• An object prepared for performing actions is lowered into a special container.
• The part is heated until blackening occurs; the material must acquire the required shade.

Before applying the inscription, it is necessary to make a background; such cases do not require varnish treatment. Metal engraving can be done in different shades, just mix special substances. A solution of zinc chloride and copper sulfate will give the part a dark brown tint; mixing is done 1 to 1 with water. A grayish tint can be obtained from a mixture of 2 g. potash and sulfur, ordinary table salt to a liter of water. A solution of potassium sulphide in the ratio of grams to 250 grams. water will give the product a red tint.

After finishing the activity, the used varnish is removed. There is a technique of blackening, the process is not similar to blackening when engraving on metal. The process can only be carried out mechanically; it is impossible to perform it using improvised objects.

Engraving methods at home

The metal engraving process is performed in several well-known ways. All possible options differ in the necessary tools and skills.

Laser engraving carried out on metal will require the necessary equipment. With small volumes of activity, the cost of purchasing equipment can be considered unacceptable. Laser engraving allows you to display the smallest details during work, the design looks clear, without blots. This type is suitable for entrepreneurs whose craft is their main source of income.

Manual execution will require only a few tools and the presence of chemical compounds. High quality drawing can only be achieved if you have certain skills in this area. The tool for work must be perfectly sharpened and varied in order to perform the activity at a professional level.

Using a special device for applying drawings and inscriptions

Receiving a quality product at the end of the process is the main priority of any master. To do the work yourself, at home, the best option is to purchase a tool called an engraver. The presence of many accessories and devices expand the range of applications and make work convenient. Mechanical engraving is performed using technology.

1. Before engraving, you need to prepare a pattern or drawing. You can mark the product with a thin marker or a sharpened pencil, or you can use carbon paper.
2. The tool must be used in sufficient lighting and work should be done in one direction to avoid chipping and burrs.
3. At the end of the work with the metal, the area of ​​the work is covered with colorless varnish. To consolidate the result, it is possible to use wax, applied in a thin layer to the product.

The use of a hand engraver or machine drill must be done only with a special tool. The choice of attachments is so large that there is a possibility of mixing up the tool, which will ultimately lead to damage to the product.

Drawing using a set of materials at hand

Various types of engraving at home can be performed using electrochemical action. To use, you will need a set of tools that everyone has at hand.

1. The capacity corresponds to the full size of the product. The part must fit completely, the neck must be as wide as possible for convenient work. For small items, a cut glass is suitable; a glass jar remains the best option.
2. Wires for connection with clamps. It is possible to use a household clothespin with foil clips, but it is better to use special “crocodiles”.
3. Voltage source. Charging from a mobile phone with an output of more than 1 ampere is sufficient. It is possible to use a charger for a car battery or household appliances with a power of up to 12 volts.
4. Salt is used in the required concentration, approximately 2 teaspoons per 250 ml of water.
5. Nail polish. In hardware stores there is a substitute - tsapon - varnish. The composition is identical and can also be easily wiped off with acetone or alcohol.

The process occurs by applying a design to the metal with a toothpick or needle. Afterwards a layer of varnish is applied to the surface. The positive wire of the power source is applied to the product, the negative wire is dropped into a glass of water with a metal object. The depth of metal etching depends on the process time. At the end of the etching process, the varnish layer is removed with acetone.

Engraving on a metal object with a drill

The tool works by removing a layer of metal from the surface of a product.

The price of the drill machine is steep, so for use several times, the purchase is not advisable.

To use this method you will need a set of different attachments. Making engraving with a machine will not take a lot of time in preparation and process. Before you start working with metal, you should test the machine with ordinary metal, get used to the work, and fully study the design.

Metal engraving using various equipment

Humanity mastered the craft of metalworking more than five thousand years ago. Technologies that are improving every day make it possible to carry out work using various equipment.

Laser engraving is used in conjunction with a paste solution. The solution is applied to the material before the process, to the treated area. A laser burns out a design or inscription by changing the temperature and chemical process. The solution helps dissolve excess material. Laser engraving is used in various directions, but the price is very high due to the use of expensive equipment.

Diamond engraving is performed with a milling cutter with a special coating and design. The design involves tetrahedral recesses that shimmer when viewing the product from different angles.

Working with volumetric parts is possible on a milling machine. The equipment can be made at home, and can also be purchased in specialized stores. Material processing by milling machine is used in mass production, suitable for souvenirs, key rings and other metal materials.

Engraving in production

The process is no different from working at home. Before proceeding, the object is polished and then degreased. Before preparing for the process, the product is tinted with a sulfur solution, which is distributed evenly over the part.

The drawing is traced using a metal needle on glued tracing paper. The drawing and shadows are done as realistically as possible to obtain a high-quality result.

After work, the drawing is covered with a protective layer of colorless varnish or wax. Then the product is wiped dry and polished to obtain shine.

Tools and materials

If you need high-quality engraving, you should contact the staff of a special workshop. High-quality equipment for metal engraving allows you to perform more accurate and beautiful work.

The level of training and experience of the master play an important role in the process and the final result.

Working with metal requires the following materials:

• Product or piece of metal.
• Surface protection varnish.
• Production tracing paper.
• An engraver is a tool with a metal bur.

How to choose equipment

Each type of equipment will make the process faster and better. Modern technologies make it possible to write various patterns and highly complex inscriptions on metal.

For example, the use of special paste on CNC machines allows you to create patterns with different contrasts on metal. High-quality engraving tools will help you implement drawings and other ideas on metal.

To perform quality work, it is worth purchasing a professional hand engraving kit. A hand tool will allow you to get better at it and learn all the intricacies of the job. After gaining the necessary practice and skills, it is possible to move on to more complex methods using specialized equipment.

Metal cutting is done only with high-quality tools. Equipment and accessories must be purchased in special stores with a quality guarantee. Making a tool at home will require choosing reliable materials. The graver and engravers must be perfectly sharpened to achieve the desired end result. A dull tool can damage the product and injure the craftsman; when working with cutting surfaces, you should follow safety precautions.

In order to engrave metal with your own hands, there are enough methods and technologies. A large number of metals that are engraved make it possible to bring the most creative ideas to life.

Steel engraving technology

There are several types of steel processing, including mechanical and manual processing. Application technology is divided into defensive and line technology. The main tool for metal stamping is a gravel. It can be purchased at a hardware store or made at home.

In any case, it is worth paying attention to the condition of the cutting element and sharpening it. Engraving technology occurs by removing the top layer of metal away from you.

Features of engraving on wedding rings

Since ancient times, a distinctive feature of wedding rings has been engraving. The approach to the inscription or drawing occurs individually, according to the customer’s preferences. The most common methods are the recessed or grooved method. The most common work is done by hand on jewelry. Jewelers offer many options for writing text, as well as display methods. The complexity of the work is assessed individually with each customer.

Laser engraving is also a common method. The beam burns out the top layer of metal and seals it with varnish. It is important to remember that adjusting the size of a finished product is almost impossible; it is necessary to determine in advance the size and type of product

Conditions yourself. After all, it looks very beautiful and impressive if you decide to give your friends or loved ones a valuable personalized gift with wishes that will never be erased or fade in the sun. The inscription will always remind a person of you, making you remember the most wonderful moments spent together.

Let's watch the video and then move on to the process:

We will need:
- photo varnish for printed circuit boards Positiv 20;
- product for engraving;
- glass;
- alkali NaOH;
- acid or ferric chloride; UV lamp;
- a bone for etching;
- container for solutions;
- acetone, for removing varnish after etching.

A stencil for engraving is prepared in advance.

The stencil can be made using Adobe Photoshop. Just don’t forget that after making the desired text or drawing in Photoshop, it must be mirrored horizontally so that the text can be read properly on the product. You can also use QuarkXPress, but also be sure to mirror the image you created.

It is best to print a stencil on a laser printer. Just plain paper will not work for this; you need to use a special film. If the toner is not dark enough, then you can take two identical stencils and carefully glue them together.

Engraving is done using photo varnish for printed circuit boards. You can purchase it at almost any radio market.

The principle of operation is as follows.

A thin layer of photo varnish is applied to the product to be engraved, which must first be shaken. Don't forget to put newspaper on your work table to avoid getting it dirty. After application, allow some time for it to dry thoroughly.

Then a stencil with the desired text or engraving design is applied to the product. Turn off the bright lights first, otherwise flare will occur. Then it is pressed with glass or a thin film, which can also be fixed to the metal using small magnets; they should not overlap the inscription.

The assembled structure is illuminated with an ultraviolet lamp. Don't forget to wear special safety glasses to avoid harm to your eyes. The exposure time should be 5 – 10 minutes.

The stencils are removed and the metal is washed with a NaOH alkali solution of the correct concentration or a sewer cleaner, observing safety precautions.

, using a 9 V power supply. It probably couldn’t be easier. By the way, you can also use an ordinary 9 V Kronov battery. We will do engraving using the example of an ordinary teaspoon (we will make a personal inscription).

We will need the following materials:

• Power supply (battery) 9 V;
• A glass of water or another container (not metal), depending on what you are engraving on:
• Nail polish;
• Nail polish remover (solvent);
• regular salt;

You can engrave on metal as follows:

1. Apply a layer of varnish to the surface of the metal (in our case, the handle of a teaspoon). It is necessary to completely cover the entire surface that will be immersed in water for engraving. Let the varnish dry well (about an hour). As a rule, poorly dried varnish will peel off the spoon in the future, and engraving may not work. Then we write the inscription (in our case, a toothpick is used) on the varnish in such a way that the metal shows through. It is in this place that the metal will be etched.
2. Take 2 full teaspoons of salt and dissolve in a glass of water.
3. We strip the power supply wires so that they can be connected to metal, and determine where is the plus and where is the minus. The negative wire is usually a single-color (black) wire. Plus, on the contrary, it is either red or another color, but with some kind of stripe.
4. We attach the minus to another teaspoon (you can also use a piece of steel), and attach the plus to the spoon on which the engraving will be made.
5. We immerse the whole thing in a glass with a salt solution so that they do not come into contact with each other.

I would like to warn you right away that during etching harmful fumes (chlorine) are released. Therefore, it is necessary to work in a well-ventilated area. In general, you shouldn't stick your nose in a glass of water. Then we connect our 9V power supply to the outlet. We wait 10 - 15 minutes and disconnect the power supply from the network. Let's look at the resulting result. If the engraving is not of the depth that you would like, then you can turn on the block for another short period of time.

At the end of the engraving process on metal, we erase our varnish with a solvent (nail polish remover) and enjoy the result. By the way, I also made small engravings on the knife using this method.

Video of engraving on a spoon (knife):

In my opinion, the easiest and most affordable way to engrave metal. You can make a personalized spoon or knife as a gift. It will look very original and unique. Do not forget to follow basic safety precautions when working and see you again.