Frequently Asked Questions on Etching

FAQ

This section is for anyone to post a question in the comment section for those who ordered the instruction book or for those just looking for more information about etching glass. But hold on, this isn’t limited to glass, its also for a discussion about sandcarving other items as well such as wood, metal, stones or large rock, or whatever you personalizing. With the sandblasting processes that I showed and explained to you, there is nearly unlimited objects that you can work with.

So to help many people, then they can ask questions here. This way everyone can see the questions and answers in one place, because some people may have the same questions.

Update: If you haven’t signed up for my new Membership site, you can still be part of the community by sharing your projects here.

You can leave a response below.

48 comments so far

Jackie Carey

April 7th, 2010 at 12:26 pm

Hi Eric

I grabbed your manual as I wish to buy a low-cost yet effective glass sandblasting set-up.

I am in the UK, so your Harbor Freight recommendations don’t apply to me.

I was wondering, if you have a moment, could you take a look at these bits, please? Just to see whether you think they would do the trick:

I’m looking at this pressure pot:

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/clarke-cpsb100pressurised-sandblaster

with this cabinet:

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/heavy-duty-blast-cabinet

and this compressor:
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/airmaster-tiger-14-60-air-compressor/path/airmaster-2

The specs seem to agree with each other as far as I can see, though my main area of concern is the compressor. It is the largest of the ‘DIY’ compressors available, and after this the spec jumps to an ‘industrial’ compressor and the price leaps from $428 up to $820.

Here is the next one up, the $820 one:

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/se15c150-ol-air-compressor/path/professionalindustrial-air-compressors-elect

It looks much more the part, but sadly I can’t afford it.

Do you think the cheaper one might keep me going, perhaps for a while until I can get something better?

Cheers for the manual, there is some very useful advice in there.

Jackie
Eric Robert

April 7th, 2010 at 4:11 pm

Great questions Jackie. The first link to the pressure pot is a decent size and I heard it is basically the same thing as the harbor freight one that I suggested. If you have abrasive flow problems, be sure to check the exclusive bonuses that I give you. It will help alot.

The cabinet looks good to start with, but the bigger, the better. The more space you have inside, not only allows for larger glass, but also doesn’t cloud up as quick. If you have little space, a small sandstorm will be clouding up the cabinet, making it hard to see. Either way its a great place to start and should probablly be used with a vaccum filter.

Now compressors can be complicated because it depends on stuff like the hose & nozzle size and the air pressure. Bigger is always better, but if the air compressor meets the requirements of the sandblaster then you should be good. A bigger one will usually last longer since it won’t be running as much.

Another suggestion is to buy a smaller sandblaster hose if you aren’t blasting/ sandcarving large items like outdoor rocks. A decent size would be about 1/8″ ID (Inner Diameter) for typical glass etchings.

If you have anymore questions, be sure to place them here. I hope this helps.
Jackie Carey

April 12th, 2010 at 7:02 pm

Thanks, Eric for the advice. I thought a bit more about the compressor. Due to the space, I am limited to a 50 litre tank, so as it could be going quite a lot I decided to go for a belt drive which should run cooler and last longer. I am also limited by the power supply, which is basic 13 amp domestic – it would be difficult and expensive to run a dedicated 30amp supply to my workshop. So in the end, my choices where whittled down to the only 3HP compressor that will run on 13amp: this one:

http://www.justoffbase.co.uk/Compressor-50ltr-Belt-Drive-3-0hp-with-Alloy-Cylinders-Sealey-SA1050-3

Got a good deal on ebay on one which had been used for instore demos, which still has the full guarantee on it.

Not planning to blast any rocks, so I will keep your hose tip in mind, as the cabinet says it needs 10 cfm and the compressor has a 9.9 cfm free air delivery. I envisage using the pressure pot more than the cabinet’s siphon system, so figure that slight difference won’t affect me too much.

I’ve ordered it all today so in a week or so, will know if it all works together! The pressure pot mod looks useful, I will talk to my engineer son about that little job…

Wish me luck!
Eric Robert

April 12th, 2010 at 8:58 pm

Great, I hope it all works out Jackie and be sure to ask any questions if you get stuck on anything. And yeah the power supply can be a problem for people.

The pressure pot should use less air and using a smaller hose will help.

Feel free to keep in touch.
-Eric
Barry Moffatt

April 13th, 2010 at 7:44 pm

I am having a bit of a vacuume problem, not keeping my cabinet as clear as I’d like.
Probably to small so was wondering what would be better.
I like to keep the exhaust or tailpipe if you like in a filter also so I can see how much I’m keeping inside the vacuume and not entering my workroom.
If you can email me to the above address that would be great.
Thanks loads.
Roy

April 18th, 2010 at 9:39 pm

Hi Eric, I know that you said that the creation brand is a better deal , is there another brand that is ok or are most of the rest of the low end vinyl cutters not worth the investment? Thanks
Eric Robert

April 19th, 2010 at 7:26 pm

Roy, there are a few other inexpensive brands out there that might be decent but haven’t tried them. I have done some research and found that some of the others had minor problems every once in awhile.

One inexpensive one is Redsail, but I heard it had problems after awhile.

I am not sure about the others on ebay in canada, but I would look at how often your going to use it. If you are going to use it often, then you might want to look into name brands like Roland or Graphtec.

But either way, I think any inexpensive one will pay it off with the revenue received from those jobs.

You can also look at small craft cutters if your aren’t doing deeper sandcarving work.
John A James

June 11th, 2010 at 11:58 pm

Shortley after I got my glass etching instruction book and was looking at some other things abought sand blasting, I saw something abought blasting Pipes and making (smoking pipes) I have looked and looked but can’t seem to be able to locate any info;;;
would you please help me in this matter or was I dreaming LOL LOL

John
Eric Robert

June 12th, 2010 at 12:47 pm

John, Im not too sure what you mean or trying to achieve. Can you give me more details about it?
Thanks
-Eric
tony

June 28th, 2010 at 9:33 am

Hi Eric,
I recall you were going to do a DIY build of the PAB gun but I cannot find it on your website.
Have you managed to do it yet please?
Eric Robert

July 2nd, 2010 at 4:51 pm

Tony, you should have got my email about it and is shown in the video: http://www.glassetchingsecrets.com/blog/techniques-for-etched-glass/

I have made this awhile back and only costed me around $15 total (I think) with the hose. I wrote out a guide with plans that I sold before and am still trying to make the DIY blaster better. I’ll be sure to let everyone know about it.
Ron Dean

July 5th, 2010 at 1:38 am

Hello Eric, I am still working on my setup. Finally got my compressor wired up. A Kobalt 60 gal. 3.7 hp SCFM 11.5 @ 90 psi. I can say I know more about breaker panels and my crash course in wiring electrical things. Nobody got hurt and my house won’t burn down with the wrong load. Glad I asked enough questions with the right people. Have the the 20 pd. pressure pot from harbor freights. Just need to put it together now. I live in the panhandle of Florida where water can be a big problem. The compressed air devises that take the moisture out of the air can be priced pretty high. I am thinking about coiling copper tubing and cooling it with air to get it to reach its dew point and have a water trap. I may just have to spend the bucks to get the water out. It’s not bad airbrushing t-shirts you can just blow it out and keep going, but from what I understand the moisture can clog me up. Do you have any ideals getting rid of my unwanted moisture? Yes moisture is my next problem to over come. Maybe a combination of things might solve it. Thanks Ron and again great book Glass Etching
Secrets. I would still be in the dark ages. Hope to be sandblasting big time soon.
Ron Dean

July 5th, 2010 at 3:29 am

Wow, I just seen a u tube thing with a PAB gun. I now know what I am going to do with the pressure pot I got from Harbor Freights that I found out about in that e-book I got awhile back Glass etching secrets. With the things I am learning and what I can hip myself to. When I airbrushed back before the days of the stencil plotting machines we had the trusty ole stencil burners ( make sure you ventilate and don’t breath the fumes)just draw, print, paste or trace your design. I like using Mylar I’m makin me a PAB gun after I get the pressure pot. Guess I’ll call it Mean Dean’s Sandblasting Machine I like learning new things. Its fun and you can turn your idea’s in to real things
Eric Robert

July 5th, 2010 at 10:26 am

Ron,
Its great to hear your making some progress getting a system setup. And yes, humidity is a problem and can clog up the sandblaster. I have seen people use the coil setup and heard it works great. What you do is bend the coil tubing around in a bucket and place ice in it. Then have your filter/separator hooked up after the air goes through it.

Let us know how your Mean Dean sandblaster goes. All the best
Rockie Gaddie

July 11th, 2010 at 7:44 pm

What do you think about the Paasche Air Eraser? I know it can etch glass, but can it do deeper (second stage) glass etching or stone etching as well? Your comments appreciated.

Rockie
Eric Robert

July 11th, 2010 at 10:50 pm

Hi Rockie, the Paasche Air Eraser is only a siphon sandblaster with very low pressures so it couldn’t be used for stone carving or two stage glass etching.

You might be able to use the Paasche Air Eraser for carvings but it would take all day to get it done. You need a pressure pot to do things like this. You can find a pressure pot which only costs a little more than this, except you might need a larger compressor.
Rockie Gaddie

July 11th, 2010 at 11:52 pm

Thanks!
Nadina Piehl

September 21st, 2010 at 6:35 pm

Any ideas on how to display round glass etchings? I just completed a 20″ round
angel fish, multi-etch piece, and when I went to drill holes so that I could hang it, the piece broke. Round frames are much too expensive, and stands, unless they’re huge, won’t hold up a large, heavy piece. Are there any other alternatives? I know, next time, I’ll drill the holes first.
Eric Robert

September 21st, 2010 at 7:12 pm

Nadina, I haven’t got into glass drilling much but I do know that your pressure pot sandblaster will blast a nice hole through the glass if you turn the pressure up. I have done it a few times.

Some glass is more brittle than others also. Here is a good resource of how to do it correctly and tips: http://www.wikihow.com/Drill-Holes-Through-Glass
Nadina Piehl

September 21st, 2010 at 7:36 pm

Thanks Eric. The site proved to be very helpful. Any other ideas from anyone for alternatives to displaying larger round glass pieces?
AussieKev

October 17th, 2010 at 4:28 am

Hi Eric,
I purchased a pressure pot from Harbour Freight and had it sent to Australia. I use a Pab Gun and it has been good. The problem I have is that I don’t get a steady flow from the pot. Could you please advise the set up of the pot to get a consistent flow of grit.
Eric Robert

October 18th, 2010 at 7:19 pm

AussieKev, I emailed you some solutions about this. I hope they help.
Beatriz

October 21st, 2010 at 11:23 am

Hello Eric!

I got the Speed Blaster gun that you suggested and its pretty cool. But I have another question/issue. The nozzle is sorta bigger than I was expecting. I talked to Zendex and they told me they dont sell other nozzles. Do you know if theres a nozzle that could fit the gun that could be thinner for smaller finer grit?

Please let me know! Thanks in advance
Eric Robert

October 21st, 2010 at 11:54 am

Hi Beatriz, I haven’t tried every sandblaster out in the marketplace and would assume that there are different replacements available. I just checked around and I didn’t see any different size nozzles either. Thats kind of weird so if you can’t find any, you could try to fabricate one or try the ones that Harbor freight sells.
Rick

October 29th, 2010 at 10:41 am

Interesting, I live in the St.Louis area and I’m having a heck of a time finding Alum Oxide. Harbor Freight seems to catty 5 lbs containser at $20 a pop(seems expensive to me). I can find it online, but shipping sometimes cost more than the product.
If anyone reads this from the area and you know of a local supplier, I would appreicate the feedback.

Is there any alternative media to etch with besides alum oxide at a reasonable cost?
Eric Robert

October 29th, 2010 at 12:45 pm

Rick, I find that odd also- I just did a quick search for you also. The only place that seems to offer it in your area is a place called Fastenal Co.

If its not in stock then you might have to order it and wait a week- usually you won’t have to pay shipping if you pick it up there. Not positive on that if anyone else knows- let us know.
DENNIS

January 18th, 2011 at 8:48 am

WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHERE THE BEST PLACE TO GET ETHING TOOLS THAT I NEED IN MY AREA I HAVE SOME THAT WERE GIVEN TO ME AND I WOULD LIKE TO GET MORE AND DIFFRENT SIZES – I HAVE LOOKED IN ALOT OF PLACES BUT NOT MANY HAVE WHAT TOOLS I NEED TO DO A GOOD JOB – SO ANY HELP
Bob Brown

April 4th, 2011 at 12:55 pm

Bought your manual and I thought it was well worth the money. Recently, I came upon a glass that had been etched with a company name on it. The letters seemed to be etched inside of a blue colored rectangle. Do you know how they got the blue coloring on there? I tried to scratch the blue area off with a knife to see if it was just a surface mounted rectangle, but my knife wouldn’t even scratch it. Any ideas on how they did it?
Eric Robert

April 5th, 2011 at 8:27 am

Bob, I am not too sure, but if you have a photo- I could tell you what I think.
william

April 9th, 2011 at 8:28 pm

Hi ERIC READING THE COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS I HAVE SOME HELP MABY I SANDBLAST IN A DARK ROOM SO THE LIGHT IN THE CABINET IS BRIGHTER ALSO I HAVE A DUST COLLECTOR HOOKED UP TO MYN CABINET WITH A BAG WHAT LET ONLY 1 MICRO TRUE i HAVE THIS FOR YEARS AND NO PROBLEMS
chris

May 2nd, 2011 at 1:46 am

Hi Eric do you have any information or advice on glass etching with a dremel power tool I am new in this Hobby I got interisted after I bought your e book and thanks for a novice like me it help a great deal.
Here from you soon
Thanks
Chris
South Africa
Eric Robert

May 2nd, 2011 at 6:02 pm

Chris, thanks for the comment. I sent you an email about it. I hope it helps.
Chuck

October 18th, 2011 at 10:44 pm

Do they make a blasting cabinet that you can use with a pressure pot blaster instead of a suction type cabinet
Chuck

October 18th, 2011 at 10:45 pm

Is there such a blast cabinet that you can use with a pressure pot system
tyrone

October 27th, 2011 at 8:48 pm

i just have took this hobby up and have done a few etching’s and decieded to by a blasting cabinet the cabinet i bought came from harbour freight and has the ceramic nozzles 4,5,6,7, mm im just curious as to which one i should use for do just a plain beer mug hope you can shed some light on this thxs and i have to say your book was very helpfull to me
Eric Robert

October 27th, 2011 at 10:24 pm

@ Tyrone, ideally out of those four, the smallest at 4 mm would be best, but all could be used. In this industry its preferred to use nothing much larger than 1/8″ which equates to 3.175 mm. Smaller nozzles allow better control, especially if you are doing artistic etching and they use much less air. So you might need a larger air compressor if you want to use the larger nozzles. Also, Thanks!

@ Chuck, yes there are pressure pot sandblasters that are configured with a blast cabinet. They are nice because it makes refilling the abrasive easy, but are very expensive. I believe Ikonics Imaging has some.
Beth

November 13th, 2011 at 8:59 pm

How can I make a design etched with the cream stand out more. On colored glass it seems to get lost and hard to make out.
Marie

November 18th, 2011 at 11:29 pm

Do you know if there are any concerns with sandblasting automotive glass in cold temperatures? We just watched your video on sandblasting auto glass and are considering doing it on our truck, but it is snowing here. Do you know if we should leave the truck running in the garage while we etch the image, are there any concerns with the glass as the truck cools down?
Rick

November 19th, 2011 at 10:30 am

Where are some good places to purchase glass awards blanks for etching?
Chuck

November 19th, 2011 at 9:32 pm

Hi Eric hope the holiday season is treating you well. I am interested in the members equipment from Cincinnati,tvols1970@yahoo.com, Im not getting any responce back from him and I was wondering if this was his correct e-mail address. I have another question also: I bought your manual a while back and I lost it on my computer. (crashed) I was wondering if there was any possiblke way of getting another copy?
Eric Robert

November 26th, 2011 at 1:49 pm

@Beth, the only other way is to use glass paint. Their is some type of etching cream paint available for this.

@Marie, it might be more fragile in the winter. Make sure you lightly etch it or the safety glass can shatter.

@Chuck, he probably has been getting a lot of emails about it and can’t respond to them all. I’ll send you an email about the download.

Thanks
Peggy

February 8th, 2012 at 9:07 pm

I use photo resist film and I am trying to get a wedding invitation to etch with alum oxide on a picture frame but I keep loosing the small letters. I don’t know if I wash them out or what I can do. This film is expensive as you know. I don’t even get to the sand blasting part which is the easy part.
Eric Robert

February 9th, 2012 at 11:44 am

Peggy, I want to make sure I am on the same page. You are on loosing the small letters on the washout process, not the sandblasting process, correct?

If that’s the case:

the lettering might not be of high quality
the ink could be too light on the transparent sheet
the Ultra violet light could be set to expose too long (make sure you use the manufacturers recommended settings)
you might not be using a warm water to wash out
you might be washing out that area too long. make sure you are always moving back and forth without pausing from left to right, top to bottom in cycles (patience is key)
Or the photoresist could be expired. (they have expiration dates.) I had to throw a bunch in the trash which was a bummer

Hope that helps. You can also read my solutions here: http://www.glassetchingsecrets.com/blog/photoresist-blowouts/
Austin

April 9th, 2012 at 5:39 pm

Hi Eric,

I absolutely love the book. I think everyone interested in glass etching should read it before getting started.

I bought a small Paasche sandblaster and I’m considering getting a pressure pot blaster. I have a 6 gallon, 150psi, 1.5hp compressor rated at 2.6 scfm @90psi. What options do I have for a pot blaster? Or is that compressor just too small…

Thanks,
Austin
KRISTI

April 23rd, 2012 at 12:46 am

WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE TO PURCHASE STENCILS OR STICKERS FOR THE DIP N ETCH PROCESS. OR IS THERE A WAY TO MAKE MY OWN?
THANKS,
KRISTI
Cindy

August 24th, 2012 at 5:43 pm

Eric, I saw up above one of the questions was about someone getting started and using a dremel tool for etching. I also do… You said you sent him an email on tips for this proceedure, can you send me the same email information. Thank you! Love this site, Just stumbled into it today. Looking forward to talking with you more.
Cindy
Sandman

October 15th, 2012 at 8:23 pm

Eric
Were can I find L E D lights I can use and cut to make my oun lighted bases. I
would like them to be 110 volt AC or 9 volt DC, white, blue, or green. Operating with or with out a switch.
Iowa Sandman
Jorge Mendoza

April 23rd, 2013 at 8:03 pm

Hi, im interested in your book and your tutorials, i need your contact… can you please contact me? jorgeam_u@hotmail.com

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