I am very interested in trying the etching technique explained in the November 2006 issue of Art Jewelry entitled, " Easy Etching".

I have found a local chemical company that sells Ferric Chloride in two forms.

Do I purchase the 40% premixed solution or do I purchase the dry solution and mix it myself. If dry is better, do I mixed it with water? And, what percentages do I use in the mixture?

Thanks for your help.

Rain

Hi Rain,

I talked with our associate editor and she suggested using the same ferric chloride product we used: PCB Etchant Solution from RadioShack. This solution does not have to be mixed with anything and can be used right from the bottle. A dry solution is not recommended.

I hope this helps.

Katie Streeter
Art Jewelry

Hi Katie,
Unfortu;nately, I live in Canada. Radio Shack was bought out by Circuit City and no longer exists here. The new company, does not carry products for the electronics hobbyist like Radio Shack did...I checked.
I might be able to find it if I went across to a Radio Shack in the USA but there are restrictions and ridiculously high fees involved in the transport of chemicals across the border.
I have found Ferric Chloride locally...and my question remains. Do I get the 40% premixed solution, or do I mix my own...what do I mix it with and what percentage do I make the mixture.
Thanks for your help.
Rain

Hi Rain,

Well, I've again spoken to our associate editor and she said that the premixed solution would be the best because mixing the dry ferric chloride can cause dangerous fumes. Although our bottle of ferric chloride did not give the percentage, I did a little internet research and 40% seems to be the common strength for etching solutions made for computer circuit board ethcing, which is what we used. This solution does not need to be diluted.

Katie
Art Jewelry