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Etched Minty Valentines Candy Box

Step 6Ta-DA!

Ta-DA!
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  • minty 025.jpg
  • minty 030 copy.jpg
Bingo! Etched Tin. Do a little dance and go show the neighbors.

If you were to allow the etch process to continue, it could cut all the way through the metal, creating a cut-out design.

You could stop here, or you could get fancy. I got fancy.

Using another idea, I opened the tin, and wrote my message on the inside of the lid using a sharpie. Any non-water soluble pen should work, but you will need to get it off again, so don't go crazy.

I covered the top of the lid in tape again to protect it. I then etched the lid portion using the same process. The areas where the sharpie was resisted the etching (pretty well anyhow) leaving the writing behind. After it etched a bit, the cat knocked the whole damn thing over. It had worked pretty well by that point though. I rinsed it, removed the tape from the top and lightly used a green scrubby to remove the sharpie revealing the un-etched area underneath.

I took some spare fabric we had laying around and glued it to the inside. I would have preferred felt, but you work with what you have. I'm filling it with chocolates for my beautiful and fabulous girlfriend. Sorry about the bowl and scrubby dear.

Good luck, be safe and have fun!
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12 comments
Dec 8, 2009. 10:28 PMAnotherMan says:
What kinds of power supplies would you reccomend? Pc? Car battery?
May 1, 2009. 9:09 AMward2u says:
thank you it is a nice job
Feb 1, 2007. 9:01 PMBoss_Sauce says:
Thanks for this tutorial! I want to etch everything now...

I did a little experimenting last night-- http://etchtest.blogspot.com

Curious if anybody has figured out a good inky marker that can be used to mask but will clean off with goof off or something...?
May 15, 2008. 4:31 PMLinksep says:
You could try an oil based "Paint Pen" which should clean up nicely with a petrol based solvent (lacquer thinner).

At work I use pure alcohol (they call it E-200, not sure why... 200 proof ethanol?) to remove sharpie marks from aluminum, usually works pretty good but results can vary.
May 4, 2008. 5:07 AMJalakahops says:
I will now reveal to you the greatest sharpie secret. The best way to remove sharpie ink.....is with more sharpie ink. Wait wait let me explain. Write somthing on metal with a sharpie then write over it again and quickly wipe away. Tada, it all wipes off. Inside the pen is the chemical that disolves sharpie ink and it dries quickly. When the solvent dries up all thats left behind is your "permanent" writting.
Jun 13, 2008. 3:41 PMtheburn7 says:
kool ty
Feb 3, 2007. 10:43 AMspinnergrrrl says:
I think you could use liquid frisket (goes on with a brush or a nib.) I use it for masking glass etching, I don't see why it wouldn't work for this.
Nov 24, 2007. 3:28 PMshop dweller says:
Way too cool! I want to try this with a photo mask
Oct 28, 2007. 6:28 PMbewise54 says:
Hey cool idea, I have a Question though, How come it changed color? Are altoids tins Metal coated with paint or are the plated with another metal or are they just super polished on the outside?
Feb 28, 2007. 5:53 PMSteamKit says:
Do you think adding a high wattage resistor would work in place of the fan?
Feb 14, 2007. 11:30 PMBuilderboY says:
That rocks, I will have to make a "happy belated valentines day" tin.

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