was a plastic container from my plastic ties
Because it was plastic I was not going to heat it up so I estimated it might take about 2 to 2-1/2 hours
I loved the fact that the PnP worked so well so I expected a really good etch
I prepped the tube by putting in a rubber stopper on one end and filled it with some art sand for weight
I partially filled the container and then put the tube in and then filled till it was really close to the top
I put a bend mandrel in the sand just to give me something to balance and taped either side
this held the tube in the center of the chemical while it etched
I put in at 8:20 and I took it out at 10 pm
If it was heated and since fresh ferric it might only take about 1-1/2 hours to etch - I find the heat does make it more aggressive and I guess there are times you want that
I think when I do the stainless washers again I am not going to heat it up
and let it etch for however long it takes and keep my eye on it this time
soooo - I pulled it out of the etch - let it drip and drain for a minute - took paper towel and took it to the sink and washed off and put some baking soda on it to stop the etch
Nice Etch
Just had to clean it up to see what it would look like
so I sandblasted the PnP off and I like the effect of the sandblasting - it takes all the materials from the pipe and all the grooves - used a bit of Penny Brite and some steel wool
Came up really clean with very little effort or additional chemicals for cleaning
Best results so far
Going to cut them up and make beads
I so have to try this... could you tell me how you put your design on there?
ReplyDeleteI used my own designs on PnP blue see this blog spot :
Deletethe post just before this
http://deborahreadcom.blogspot.ca/2013/08/pnp-on-pipe-applying-pnp-on-pipe-for.html shows how to apply pnp or see the rubber stamps
http://deborahreadcom.blogspot.ca/2012/07/etching-copper-pipe.html
What is pnp?
DeleteWhat is pnp?
DeletePNP is a blue paper used to etch metal. You transfer the image to this blue paper with a laser printer and then you transfer to the metal with iron or heating the metal in a metal base hot plate. Looking for videos at youtube.
DeleteFabulous idea. I bought a whole mess of copper pipe a few years back and couldn't think what to do with it. I did not have a pipe cutter and cut a few pieces with my jewelers saw, which is painstaking and was unrewarding as it was plain and boring coper pipe. I am waiting rather impatiently for spring so I can get set up for soldering which I haven't done in years, but feel I need to expand. Apartment living reduces ones possibilities, so I have been working with polymer clay and sterling wire. Hail to Pinterest that brings all ideas together ;)
ReplyDeleteCan anyone tell me if this weakens the pipe? I still want it to have some strength.
ReplyDeletedepends on the pattern - if its got a lot of deep etchings it can create week points but I found its still pretty strong
DeleteDoes etching change the sound of the struck tube?? (thinking of chimes)
ReplyDeleteHi guys,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this wonderful article really!
If someone want to know more about the soldering copper pipe I think this is the right place for you!
Where can I buy the PNP? Thank you please tell me!
ReplyDeleteWhat solution did you use . Thank you I’m very confuse with what type of solution to use
ReplyDeleteWhat did you use as a resist? Is pnp ferris acid? Would nitric acid work?
ReplyDeleteHola
ReplyDeleteacido muriatico y agua oxigenada al 2 x 1 2 partes de acido 1 parte de agua oxigenada tiempo de grabado 15 a 20 minutos
2x1
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, and inspiring! Using 1.5" copper fittings and wooden dowels for exposed elements on a bed frame and need some way to add a complimentary design to copper, so they don't look like ordinary plumbing fixtures.
ReplyDelete