Glass etching supplies ?

[Jennifer]

Hi,
Does anyone who has done glass etching know if Masking tape can be used in place of blue painter's tape? If so, let me know. I'm ready to start a project to learn how to do glass etching but i need all my supplies first and i want to save as much money where i can. Thanks. Jennifer

[dragonlord666]

it might depend on the tape and the shape you are etching.

painters tape is a kind of plastic, I believe, so it will stretch a little. masking tape does not - on a flat surface this won't make a lot of difference (painters might have a little better grip on glass etc) but going around a glass or bowl the masking might buckle/pleat and will/could allow the etching particles to seep under it, giving a feather edge.

also, masking tape is different, you can get low tack or high grip so it might be worth having a little play and see what happen - then you will know what works for you and what does not.

if you have a local sign writing shop, it might be worth asking if they do off cuts of the vinyl as this can be used too and they might give you some for free or very little as they normally just throw it away.

Gaz

[Jennifer]

Thank you, I will think about getting the blue painter's tape. It will not be a waste and I 'll use it for multiple projects. Thanks for the comparison, it helps. Jennifer

[dragonlord666]

it might be worth trying a "test" with both tapes and see. as I said, some masking tape is really sticky and strong where others are like sticky tissue paper LOL

you may find you love using masking tape and hate painters tape

Gaz

[Jennifer]

Ok, I think I will try that. It makes sense. Thanks.

[dragonlord666]

as I said, you might find masking tape works for flat glass (like a picture frame/windows pane) but might not work on a round/cylinder like a glass
painters tape may work better on a glass etc

Gaz

[adsforyou]

I have carved glass for years and never used the blue tape. I have always used plain old masking tape. The warning about masking tape on a curved surface is correct. How ever if you use a lot of little pieces and take your time laying it you can get around that problem. When I started some 18 years ago I had a total of $20.00 into equipment. I was a new father and was looking to make some extra money with out spending a lot in equipment. I had a second hand compressor and bout a simple siphon fed sand gun from my local house improvement store. I also bought a bag of etching material called black beauty which I still use today It can be ordered online from a little company called flat rock bagging if you cant find it in your area. A sheet of plastic and a couple rolls of masking tap plus carbon paper and I was set to go. My blasting cabnit was a old cardboard box with the plastic draped over top. Make sure to ware a mask. The dust from carving can destroy your lungs very quickly.

It didn't take me long back then to sell enough pieces to afford better equipment. Now days I have several thousand dollars into equipment alone. Recently My son got bit by the Glass carving bug. I told him if he is going to carve he will use his own equipment, but I will buy it for him as a early birthday present. What cost $20.00 18 years cost me $35.00 dollars today. You don't need the best of the best as a beginner. Just time patients and creativity. If you can afford the good stuff go for it but if you cant it really isn't a requirement. A vinyl cutting machine is really nice to if you have one already. If not that's one of those thing to put on your list for latter on. It makes thing go so much faster. Scal 3 Pro really helps to once you learn all the short cuts and work a rounds which I haven't LOL. I will be happy to answer any of your questions just PM me. good luck in your carving adventures!