
Originally Posted by
Salem Straub
A couple other tips:
I find scotch "magic" tape to work well, it's thin and bonds even. This is important. After taping, I take my fingernail and press the tape down at all the seams and all over, electrolyte can creep through a little tape seam that you didn't even see and etch a little line or pit where you did not want one. Also, a stencil taped down tight and flat will give a sharper and clearer etch.
10-20 second etches are a little long IMHO, I as well as others have burnt up stencils with too long of etches. I currently etch for 3 seconds on, 2 seconds off. 20 cycles of this on DC, then 20 cycles on AC. As well as the electrolyte looking a little fizzy, when etching you should hear a light "frying" sound, indicating action.
After etching, neutralize the blade thoroughly and well- I use Windex and let it soak on for 10 seconds or so.
Cleaning your stencils makes them cut clearly and last longer. Ernie's site has good tips on all of this stuff.