Stencil Developer

does anyone no if the developer solution for stencils is the same stuff used for photo developing? The reason i ask is i just bought an etching machine from usaknifemaker along with a sheet of stencil material to make my own stencils.Since usaknifemaker is sold out of there developer concentrate, im looking for another alternative (if there is one) or another place to buy some preferably canada?

thanks!

 

http://www.knifemaker.ca/ might carry what you are looking for

 

I use sodium carbonate.
1 teaspoon per liter. You can find it at swimming pool stores.
The trouble is, the amount you have to buy will last for 1,000,000 years.
I think in 20 years I have only used about 3 teaspoons.
I buy all my etching supplies from IMG Electromark in Utica, NY

 

If anyone wants to make money making stencils, I'm in need! No joke! Please shoot me a PM if anyone is interested.

Connor

 

thanks john. i searched there website and found nothing.

thanks forge! i will have to try that out!!

 

Last time I emailed them and they said they have the chemicals on hand and can get the machines in. low order numbers at the time so not on the web site.

 

thanks john! i ordered some from usa knife maker,now that they have restocked the item.
i recieved my personalizer last week and have tried one of the stencils that comes with the kit
and im very happy with how it turned out. maybe ill post a picture later.

 

I know this post is a few years old Forge but I was wondering what development time you use for the Sodium Carbonate. Also, are you still using 1 tsp/L of water?

Thanks for your help
Dave

 

Don't really know. Put the stencil in a bowl with the solution and take a tooth brush an start scrubbing it after about 30 seconds.
When the "resist" is gone from the stencil it should be done.

 

Ok thanks

 

I was just going through this. I took some baking soda and baked it in the oven to turn it from sodium bicarbonate to sodium carbonate. Dumped some in a bottle of water and it worked. I think I need to dilute it down though. I just winged it to see if the concept would work so I don't have any recommendations on amounts.

 

Thanks Scott - I'll try that

 

It's tough finding some of this stuff in canada and you get hosed so bad for shipping and brokerage. I just made an order from alpha. $180 us shipping. I had it shipped to my us address and it dropped to $25

I'm fortunate that I can zip across the boarder and be back in under an hour.