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Re: etching the OD of a cylinder to create a graduated dial

2013-03-20 by Andrew

This picture is certainly helpful, but does raise some questions. I notice some waviness in the outlines, but I am guessing that may have been intentional? For a machine tool dial, anything less than narrow, crisp, straight lines will reduce its usefulness. Normally when I make a dial or something similar, the width of the line I cut in the metal is in the vicinity of .001" to .002" -- just a slice made with a sharp tool. I have doubts about the feasibility of producing consistent, clearly visible lines of that width by etching around a pattern (leaving the lines embossed) as Rick is proposing to do.

Again, half the fun of inventing is proving the doubters wrong! I look forward to seeing what Rick will come up with.

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "cunningfellow" <andrewm1973@...> wrote:
>
> 
> 
> > Andrew V wrote:
> > <SNIP>
> > The other problem I have encountered when I
> > tried (note tried, but not succeeded) to etch
> > into solid backgrounds with TT is that the
> > depth needed seemed to be more than the
> > method would withstand.
> > <SNIP>
> 
> These where done with TT (pulsar+TRF)
> 
> http://www.instructables.com/file/F6S25EMH742SAKC#step22
> 
> That is 0.35mm depth of etch on those fingers.
> 
> I am sure a dial does no need to etch that deep.
>

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