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Etching steel rings for penny pressing machine dies

April 14, 2009

I'm retired and starting a new career. My wife has asked me to learn to engrave the steel (not stainless) rings that go in her penny pressing machine. Hopefully some of you know what a penny pressing machine is. The machine uses steel rings on which I hope to photo-engrave various images to be used as dies. I have seen a video that tells me to use a 1 to 4 mixture of Nitric acid with a low voltage, low amperage current to etch the metal. I have also read articles that suggest using a solution of ferric chloride [on eBay or Amazon] mixed with Hydrochloric Acid. I would like for someone who is knowledgeable in the art of etching to tell me why one might be better than the other and why. Thank you

Lee Bowser
Hobby - Alexander, Arkansas, USA

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