How to make a brass nameplate?

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How to make a brass nameplate? NoSpam 01-22-2008
Posted by NoSpam on January 22, 2008, 4:58 am
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 I need to make a brass nameplate with (not surprisingly) a name on it,
but I don't have a CNC mill.
Is it possible to use pcb etching techniques (use a Word processing
package to print a master then somehow transfer it onto the brass as a
resist layer)? Or is there a better way that everyone except me knows
about? Or is this something to outsource?

Posted by Tony Jeffree on January 22, 2008, 5:39 am
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 wrote:

>I need to make a brass nameplate with (not surprisingly) a name on it,
>but I don't have a CNC mill.
>Is it possible to use pcb etching techniques (use a Word processing
>package to print a master then somehow transfer it onto the brass as a
>resist layer)? Or is there a better way that everyone except me knows
>about? Or is this something to outsource?

Should be possible to use the laser toner resist approach - basically
what you do is print the resist on a laser printer onto glossy photo
paper and then iron it onto the metal. Make sure the metal is really
clean; you may need to experiment to get the ironing
temp/pressure/time right.

You then soak the paper in warm water and carefully rub it off. The
glossy "gel" coating on the paper should make this possible without
damaging the toner "resist". If you need to start again, the toner
comes off nicely with fine wet&dry or Scotchbrite.

I found PC World's "PC Line" glossy photo paper worked OK for doing
PCBs. Obviously you need to print a mirror image and in negative
(white areas will get etched) to get the right result.

You will need to paint the edges and back of the plate as well, but
that should be easy enough with celulose or even the PCB resist pens
that you can buy from Maplin or RS.

Not sure how well the PCB etchants (ferric chloride for example) work
on brass, but I'm sure you can find something that will work.

Don't be tempted to etch too deep or the resist will get undercut at
the edges and you get an untidy result.

Regards,
Tony

Posted by Guy Griffin on January 22, 2008, 8:13 am
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Tony Jeffree wrote:
> wrote:
>
>> I need to make a brass nameplate with (not surprisingly) a name on it,
>> but I don't have a CNC mill.
>> Is it possible to use pcb etching techniques (use a Word processing
>> package to print a master then somehow transfer it onto the brass as a
>> resist layer)? Or is there a better way that everyone except me knows
>> about? Or is this something to outsource?
>
> Should be possible to use the laser toner resist approach - basically
> what you do is print the resist on a laser printer onto glossy photo
> paper and then iron it onto the metal. [...]

This method should work, as it does for PCBs. You may find the
transferred toner (which has some of the paper coating stuck on it) can
float off during etching - deeper the etch, worse the chances - it's
hard to get it to adhere well & evenly to the metal.

> Not sure how well the PCB etchants (ferric chloride for example) work
> on brass, but I'm sure you can find something that will work.

Should be fine, ferric chloride will etch copper & zinc in a more
controlled way than acid. Here are some good pages:

http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/nenam/advanced-etching.htm
http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/nenam/photocopy_transfer_etch.htm

hth
Guy

Posted by John Stevenson on January 22, 2008, 8:22 am
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wrote:

>I need to make a brass nameplate with (not surprisingly) a name on it,
>but I don't have a CNC mill.
>Is it possible to use pcb etching techniques (use a Word processing
>package to print a master then somehow transfer it onto the brass as a
>resist layer)? Or is there a better way that everyone except me knows
>about? Or is this something to outsource?

Geoff,
Drop me an email.


Posted by fred on January 22, 2008, 8:25 pm
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Depends on the size.

Up to 18 x 12 (inches) photoetching dome commercially is entirely feasibl=
e.

Use clear inkjet film and print in black so that the parts to be left are=
=20
unprinted. That is if you want recessed letters then draw them in black.

The cost will depend on size and thickness of material.

Don't expect to go much over 30 Thou.

Cost for an 18 x 12 sheet in 28Thou brass is around =A320 smaller is not =
always=20
proportionally cheaper.

If you want it smaller than the sheet size arrange for a black border say=
40Thou=20
wide with evenly spaced 'tags' so you can remove the article from the she=
et.

A lot less hassle than trying it yourself.

If you want something small then exactly the same technique can be used i=
n your=20
own ferric chloride bath, always assuming that you have access to the res=
t of=20
the technology.

regards

Peter Dobson
Newbold Models


NoSpam wrote:
> I need to make a brass nameplate with (not surprisingly) a name on it, =

> but I don't have a CNC mill.
> Is it possible to use pcb etching techniques (use a Word processing=20
> package to print a master then somehow transfer it onto the brass as a =

> resist layer)? Or is there a better way that everyone except me knows=20
> about? Or is this something to outsource?


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