days ago. That was the fundamental idea to enhance this method and try to make
my own picks.
For grinding I’m to lazy and this is a boring job in my opinion so I
looked for another method to make picks on a simple way.
The following equipment is necessary:
-power supply unit (30 V / 3 A) with current limiting
-Scotch® tape (in german tesafilm)
-Spring steal (coil 5m)
-scapel
- electrolytic bath (glass with salt water and two electrodes)
- alcohol (to grog the sheet)
First cut the spring steel, the size is depended of the template. make the
sheet a little bit longer than the template.
Use alcohol to grog the sheet. When the sheet is clean and dry make a
coating with scotch tape from both sides, close the edges from the front- and
backside.
Transfer the shape of the template to the prepared sheet.
I have used a laser print for the template.
Make a cut around the shape with the scalpel and remove the overlaying
tape.
The backside will remain unaffected.
Now the preparation is finished and the edging process can be started.
Connect the prepared sheet with the anode of the power supply unit.
For the cathode use brass or cooper.
I work with a current of 2,5-3 A. The voltage adjust to 15-30 V, depending on
the resistance. And the resistance is dependend of the electrolyte, the
space between the electrodes, the temperature of the water and so on.
I first put only half of the prepared sheet in the electrolytic bath after
that is finished the other side.
For the etching process of one side is approximately 10 till 30 minutes.
The time is a critical parameter it’s important to remove the part early
enough but it’s not easy to match the current point. A good opportunity
is to change to the electrolyte in the final stage of process because the
old one is turbid.
After both sides are finished remove the coating tape and flush with water.
Keep in mind that chlorine escaping in the electrolysis process.
Whenever you work on this, think "safety first" and carry out the
electrolysis process outside.