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Marking out

This topic has 13 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 15 July 2009 at 12:36 by WALLACE.

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22 June 2009 at 11:55 #4698
Crocadillopig
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@crocadillopig
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22 June 2009 at 11:55 #41981
Crocadillopig
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@crocadillopig
Hi All

Back in the sixties we used Marking Blue and Copper Sulphate, the latter was far superior for fine work, etching the workpiece with a light brown patina and didn’t wear away with the use of coolants. I believe it was made up of copper sulphate crystals and sulphuric acid ! My question is what was its composition and in what ratios ? Also is it available commercially in small quantities, if not where can I obtain the ingredients.

Hope someone can help. Russ

Edited By Russell Wigley on 22/06/2009 11:57:37
22 June 2009 at 13:09 #41984
David Clark 13
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@davidclark13
Hi There

I believe it was copper sulphate solution.

No acid involved.

regards David
22 June 2009 at 16:38 #41990
Circlip
Participant
@circlip
Dave, Copper Sulphate (CuSo4) is copper disolved in sulphuric acid. Get some battery acid Russ and chuck some bits of copper into it (Scrap preferably) and leave until no more will disolve in it. Solution will be a green colour (Like Kryptonite) ALTERNATIVELY you could use the remaints of a pickle bath if you said “Damn the Elfins” and used battery acid let down to a reasonable level and dunked yer copper boilers in it after silver soldering them ORRRRR, the REALLY whimpy way, by getting some Copper Sulphate crystals from the Chemist (Yer gonna have to tell him what yer want them for) and mixing with diluted H2O (Water). Oh aye, trade name was “Killed Spirits” and we also used it as flux for NON electrical soldering, —– Tinplate days.

Regards Ian.

Edited By Circlip on 22/06/2009 16:39:43
22 June 2009 at 17:04 #41995
David Clark 13
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@davidclark13
Hi There

That is why I got it wrong.

I just bought the crystals.

regards David
22 June 2009 at 17:21 #41997
Circlip
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@circlip
Eeeeeeeeeeeee, that nobut a bairn David lad but we’ll turn thee into an Ingineer yet

Regards Ian.
22 June 2009 at 17:50 #41998
HasBean
Participant
@hasbean
Ahh yes, killed spirits.

My grandfather was a plumber and used to buy hydrochloric acid in carbouys. My job on a Saturday as a 7 year old was to sit in front of a bucket of HCL with a pair of tinsnips and a sheet of zinc making the stuff!

Every now and then he’d pass by with a lighter and ignite the hydrogen!

I think Mr Elfin Safety might frown upon this these days.
23 June 2009 at 11:05 #42006
Circlip
Participant
@circlip
Oooops Eretta, could have been “Spirits of Salts” —- All Zimmers.

Regards Ian.
23 June 2009 at 14:53 #42008
Frank Shaw
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@frankshaw82412
hi guys, check out “Copper Sulphate” on Ebay.

there are several suppliers of quick dissolve crystal there.

this could be what you are looking for.

Rgds

Frank
10 July 2009 at 22:50 #42265
Chris
Participant
@chris16039
Just a beginner but if you spray sheet sheel with cheap primer, grey or better white it gives a great surface to draw on with a pencil. try an H2, very fine line and if you cock up you can rub it out. Bought my last tin of light grey from a pound shop for, guess what. Just a quick flash over with the spry can is enough.

Chuck it in some celulose thinners for five minutes and wipe it over with some fine wire wool and hey presto! You might not need to ’cause your going to paint it anyway.

Never tried it with brass but I’ll get back to you when I have.

As a newby I just know someone is going to tell me this is a really bad thing to do.

Chris.
11 July 2009 at 09:54 #42273
Niloch
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@niloch
Posted by Chris on 10/07/2009 22:50:31:

Just a beginner but if you spray sheet sheel with cheap primer…………..

As a newby I just know someone is going to tell me this is a really bad thing to do.

Chris.

Not me Chris, but then I’m a novice too more interested in horology than the heavy stuff.

John Parslow, in the very first instalment of his serial on a 15 day Skeleton Timepiece (ME 4322 – 28/03/2008)says:

“Polished plate is supplied with a protective film on both sides. I suggest stripping off this film and spraying both sides with two or three coats of red oxide primer paint available in an aerosol can from motor accessory shops. This will protect the surface from accidental marks and scratches and provide an excellent surface for marking out with pencil or scriber”.

I’ve also used blue ‘Magic Marker’
14 July 2009 at 17:18 #42337
WALLACE
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@wallace
Cromwell tools do marking out blue in 500ml bottles which appeared to be most cost effective. I would recomend decanting some into a smaller bottle (plastic !) as it will make an awfull mess if knocked over . .

WALLACE
15 July 2009 at 11:58 #42353
Ian S C
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@iansc
Hi wallace,an empty nail polish bottle just the thing,brush included!I use felt pen. Ian.s.c.
15 July 2009 at 12:36 #42359
WALLACE
Participant
@wallace
Thanks for the tip. I’ll start saving mine up from now on !

W.
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