As I have stated a lot of times here, there are many techniques to create etched glass. But instead of having me ramble on about it, I thought I would show you a video I made. This doesn’t show you all the ways though. It only shows the sandblasting and cream technique.
It first goes into sandblasting with the variable sandblast nozzle that I made which is similar to the PAB blaster used for artistic etching. Then for the second part, I show you the cream method which only takes a few supplies (glassetchingsecrets.com/supplies.html) such as an exacto knife, a brush, and obviously- the cream.
I am not the greatest with making videos, but at least you can get the point. I might be getting better though 🙂 . I’ll be working to figure out how to make better videos here soon and let everyone know about it for stuff like sandcarving. Okay, I hope the video helps, and please leave me comments or questions about it.
Share this on social media or email by clicking below!
Seeing this video really makes me want to learn both techniques! Thanks!
Would really like more info on the variable blast nozzle you made. How did you make it and from what???
Nice. I still haven’t gotten a system together but watching your demos sure make me want to get on it. thanks , nice job
2 Questions – What was the blaster head you used? It looks small and manageable.
Do you use Photo type stencils, what would you suggest for very small 8 pt font?
The video looked very good. The only comment I might add is maybe drop the music and add a voice background explaining what your doing with any tips that might help.
Rodney and Les,
The variable sandblaster nozzle was made from a air gun. The whole thing only cost me a few bucks to make, literally. Its similar to the PAB blaster from Bob Pickard to work with a pressure pot sandblaster except probably not as good. But works fairly nice for a few bucks. I’ll try to post more info about it soon. Maybe another video explaining it.
And Les, I answered your question by email, but in case others wanted to know. I started out with photoresist but haven’t been using it. Nearly everything on the site was done with a vinyl cutter. And a photoresist sounds like a good option for that small of a font.
I’m also very interested for that gun you made. Can you please explain? How does the sand gets to the gun with the air pressure? And how much is the pressure?
Eric,
looking forward to learning more about that gun.
When you say air gun do you mean paint gun or pellet gun?
I meant, I used a cheap air blow gun. Its used primarily for air compressors to blow air at things to clean areas up. They only cost a few dollars. Standby on more info about it.
-Eric
Hey Eric
Have you discovered the warm soapy water method for removing cut vinyl resists?
Barry
Good to hear from you again Barry. I have found soap and warm water helps. Soap always helps 🙂 I don’t usually use it thought since a quick splash of warm water makes the vinyl I use come off very easily. I use a removable vinyl from Oracal. It depends on what kind of vinyl or sandmask one is using too.
Eric, do you blast outside? If so how do you collect the grit that you have used or do you “use it and loose it” please?
regards
tony
Tony, I typically blast in a sandblasting cabinet but I did it outside just for this video because its hard to film whats going on inside a cabinet. All I did was lay down a large tarp which collects most of it. I didn’t really care to lose most of it anyway since it was getting old and wearing out. I’d like to make a blasting room and get a air helmet soon- that would be cool.
I have the same air blow gun that you have. I drilled thru from where the nozzle connects to the top back of the gun, But now need to know what to use to modify the trigger so that it works with it?
Very nice! What do you mean amateur??? Video looked great to me. I am impressed at the variable pressure that you are blasting without gloves or a cabinet. Thank you for sharing.
It was great, thank you so much for sharing.
For this being your first video, I would have to say you did great and it gets a message to all of us interested on how to start and by staying in touch with you we can learn a lot more. I have done a lot of engraving in the past on metal, plastic and glass (window panes & Glass Bottles) still have a lot of learning to go. But I enjoy everything I can learn and give to someone whom enjoys the end project. Thanks for be as helpful as you have been so far. Love your work.
Thanks for the video! The sand blasting part was particularly helpful for me to see. One tip on the etching cream, so that you (or anyone else) don’t have to waste the stuff (it’s so stinking expensive!): you can re-use it. Just scrape it off and back into the original container, rather than rinsing it off. Works like a charm!
Thanks Jake and you are exactly right about the cream. I tell people the same thing now.
Hi Eric!
Tks for sharing,great video, I always learn something new. So far i’ve been getting all my supplies together, finding some beautiful reclycled bottles to cut and preparing my various stencil which I cut myself with an exacto knife. The fall is so busy with outside work I didn’t get the time to get into it. This video helps me with my next step of action.
Na primeira parte do video você esta usando que tipo de abrasivo , microesfera de vidro ou óxido de alumínio
Hi Eric,you mainly describe cream and sandblasting tech. I am into drill engraving as I am sure a lot of your members are.Are you mainly concerned with abovementione 2 tech or can we expect more on drilling]rotating engraving.Piter
At the moment the site is more focused on cream/ sandblasting, but have a little bit of content on rotary engraving. Hopefully that will change in the future.
Great video. I’m also interested in some plans for the nozzle u used. Thank you
I have been providing the documented plans on how to make them but is currently for member’s only here: https://www.glassetchingsecrets.com/member/
Anyone can sign up though.
Good day Eric
I like you video’s, and done a few myself like you show here.
Could you tell me how do I color the picture or the writing (what paint do I use)
I did some of the sandblasting on metal as well, and it came out beautiful. I was thinking, if I could color the picture of writing how will I do it.
thank you
Eric: Te felicito tu desprendimiento al presentar para todos tu conocimiento.Muy interesante ambos metodos. Con un Plotter de Corte puedo tener la figura a grabar y entonces utilizo uno de los metodos.
Me interesa conocer la composicion cualitativa y cuantitativa de la crema. Se que es obtenida con Acido Fluoridrico y otras sustancias, pero me gustaria saber su formula. Gracias.
I need to know what grit/medium you use to sandblast names on to say a pint mug for friends …also does any one know where to get resist or any thing that stops the grit penetrating the glass I would like to try this I have 1.5hp compressor but nothing else I also live in UK ….so what are you guys using here UK …. that is and where do you get your consumable’s from ….please don’t say Ebay unless you can point me to a good supplier in UK
Eric ..sorry to hijack this video ..but I appear to be getting nowhere in my searches lol …..is it me :O) Dave
You don’t seem to have looked very hard Dave
I am glad you reminded of this site …I had a new computer and lost this site thanks ….my handle on this site is webby……I did Google to death but this site never came up so maybe I was using the wrong criteria for it to work :O(
anyways I am going to amble over to worldofglasscraft to see if I can find any info
Thanks again
THANKS for the help u have given me. Just starting but I’m under way. Again Thanks. JC
thanks for video sharing grate new video
Hi Eric, the video is very nice and definitely good for beginners’ like me.
Thanks for giving these encouraging tips.
OLA ERIC gostei imensamente deste vídeo mas eu tenho dificuldade para conseguir estes adesivos que você usa para seus trabalhos com este creme.se você tiver eu preciso com urgência .Muito obrigado por estar me enviando sempre estes vídeos.
Thanks for sharing, your tutorials have been very helpful, i bought a sand blasting cabinet for $100, been using the nozzles that came with it, and for the sand, i use beach sand, works like a charm, and the best thing, its free and limitless, i also use vinyl cut stencils, just for etching i use 40psi, and when i want a deeper carving, i use 60 to 80 psi, the thing with the vinyl i use, is that at 60 to 80, doesnt hold in small fonts, any recomendations?
@Felix, I am against using silica based sand as it can cause very serious lung issues called silicosis. Unless I had a very vigorous dust collection equipment and air provider masks, I would never use it.
For the small fonts, you would probably have to get a thicker resist. I hope that helps. Thanks!
sir, I am Indian, In India here is no selling blue photo resist paper. how I received.
Eric, I am new at the art of etching, and I would like to know which kind of transfer paper and vinyl do you use. I have gone to several craft stores and the only kind I find is Laminate paper. This kind of paper has a very strong adhesive and cannot be pull out form the stencil. I am lost it seems that every where I go, no body knows what I am talking about. Does Amazon sell this kind of transfer paper? I have notice on your videos that you pilled out the transfer paper with out damaging your stencil.
Thank you and I hope to hear from you soon.
Mario M>
@ Mario,
I use this stuff for the vinyl: http://amzn.to/1Nkwniy
And any transfer tape like this should work: http://amzn.to/1Y0DST9
I document all this information in my ebook. Thanks
Never tried the sand blasting, but was wondering if it gets expensive? When using the crème, I use a smaller brush so I don’t have to use additional cover of the glass except for the stencil. My time was 3 to 4 minutes according to the instructions on the crème bottle, then I read where 10 minutes is better. Just bought a Cameo so I’m trying out differ types of stencil material that I can buy locally. do you have any recommendations?
Cool video always good too see how too do it. where can i buy the folie?