Glass Etching Newbie

[vguido]

I'm interested in working with Flash glass. I understand glass etching is an integral part of that.  Can anyone help me get started with glass etching?
Thanks,
Vinny

[jjkrol]

As you know, flashed glass is a layer of thin color glass on either clear or other color of glass.  The easiest way of etching through the thin layer is by sandblasting.  This requires a resist paper to cover the areas that are not to be etched.  The resist is cut at the design lines and the resist is then weeded (the exposed areas are peeled away).  A compressor and sandblast gun is needed.  Sizes of each are dependant upon the project.  The areas exposed are blasted until the flash is removed, or in the case of shading, partially removed.  There are all kinds of blasting cabinets you will find on the net and suppliers of compressors and guns.  A setup with recovery system will run you a good 5,000.00.  You can do it much simpler without a cabinet and with ordinary sand.  WARNING!  Be extremely careful of inhaling the dust.  You could be on the road to lung disease from the silica.  Proper respirators or filters must be in place.

This is very basic, but so much is available from suppliers, internet, books, etc.

[vguido]

Thanks for the quick response. I have been reading about chemicals/acids for etching. This seems simpler and less expensive, but limited.  Any information about acid etching?

Thanks again,
Vinny

[Vic Rothman]

Hydrofluoric acid is VERY dangerous to use. It also gives a much more pleasing look to the glass than sandblasting. Just follow all the safety precautions to the letter. You should notify your local hospital ER what you are doing as they don't typically deal with acid burns.
There will be a talk and slide show by master acid etcher Gene Mallard at the American Glass Guild Conference in Providence, July 25-29
check out
www.americanglassguild.org

[Patricia]

Hi Vinny,

The cost of sandblasting set ups can run in the thousands of dollars for a full setup.  But, if you want to start out small and try it before you commit, you can get a small bench sandblasting cabinet at places like Harbor Freight or Craigs List for $100.  Then, you can either use Aluminum oxide (very reasonable - available at Harbor Freight) or Silicone carbide (more expensive but lasts longer).  You can hook up a small compressor to it and use a shop vac to draw the dust away.  I would say to stay clear of regular sand (why save a few dollars and chance your family and your health - not to mention the local regulations may prohibit its use).  The acid method is nasty (better smoothness, but dangerous).  There are cream etches (Michael's), but I'm not sure it will cut deep enough to get a nice look.  You can get resist from many stained glass shops, or find a local sandblaster and ask them for a few feet, many won't mind giving you some (along with helping you get started).  You can also get some info off other sites (not sure if I can post the names on here or not).  Hope all goes well, Patricia

[desertsand1564]

Patricia,  I'm just doing a search regarding sandblast units and your setup is one that I would like to duplicate.  You have a compressor, shop vac, and harbor freight sandblasting cabinet.  What do you have hooked up to what?  Where/How is the sand/silica connected in this schema.  Please excuse my inexperience, I have the compressor and the cabinet, but am not sure how it will all go together.  Thank you for any help you can give me.  Sandi