Re: Plans for dirt cheap etcher?

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, Jon Elson <elson@...> wrote:

>
> krashking405 wrote:
>
> >Where might I find plans to make a very cheap small etcher? Price
> >range would probably have to be under $100US and hopefully be able to
> >use surplus/scrap that I already have or can aquire.
> >
> >
> The big problem is making it with no metal other than Titanium in it.
> And, no Nylon, either. Nylon crumbles within minutes after exposure
> to FeCl2, and all other metals but Titanium corrode at various rates.
>
> I built an etcher entirely of Plexiglas, including the pump. It was

a mess,

> but it did work. The Kepro etcher I found in the trash has pretty
> standard Little Giant pumps, but the shafts are Titanium. All the rest
> is grey PVC.
>
> My spray nozzle was a piece of PVC pipe with holes drilled along the

side.

> The Kepro machine uses one nozzle and shoots through a piece of
> fiberglass window
> screen.
>
> Jon
>

cheapest 'etcher' would be a cardboard box and a plastic trash bag,
but I kinda-sorta think he was hinting at a 3 axis CNC type machine to
mechanically etch.

As for that I would suggest using an old daisy wheel printer as they
had big motors and heavy rails. use those rails and motors and
pulleys and motor driver electronics.

that really only leaves the Z axis to drive. should not be expensive
if you are utterly fantastic and lucky at scavangering.

Making one from all new parts will be much more expensive than $100.

Dave