Need magnesium etcher for mold masters

I have been making centrifugal rubber molds for casting pewter from
etched magnesium masters. The problem with my current etcher is that
they cannot seem to consistently etch the metal within the tolerances
that I need them particularly in the 16ga magnesium material which we
use when we need to keep the weight down for molds for Christmas
ornaments. The depth I have determined as ideal is .020". The etcher
I use does them anywhere from .015" to .035" deep when I specify
.020".

Does anyone have any experience with a magnesium etcher that
specializes in supplying models for making pewter casting molds that
can consistently etch to a specified depth. I realize that acid
etching is not as precise as machining and a range of .015" to .025"
would be acceptable, but anything deeper does not seem to make a
castable cavity.

Thanks

Ken Gastineau
Berea, Kentucky

   Does anyone have any experience with a magnesium etcher that
specializes in supplying models for making pewter casting molds
that can consistently etch to a specified depth. I realize that
acid etching is not as precise as machining and a range of .015" to
.025" would be acceptable, but anything deeper does not seem to
make a castable cavity. 
		I have had good luck with Denna Graphics,303 4316534, in 

Denver,
Co. they have done everything right so far for me.I know they do work
for other jewelers. The width of the line determines the depth of the
etch. They have two different thickness of mag plates. Quick turn
around time. Richard in Denver

try OWASSO [owosso?] graphic arts, inc 800-444-5552 517-725-7112
151 N. delany rd Owosso Mi. 48867

they have made some very nice Mag dies for us, and are leaders in
that field

Mark Clodius

Thanks Mark and Richard on the referrals for magnesium etchers. I
gave a call to Owasso in Michigan and they said all of the right
things, so guess I will give them a try.

I am also looking for a company to do custom etched Sterling silver.
Does anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks

Ken Gastineau
Berea, Kentucky

 I am also looking for a company to do custom etched Sterling
silver. Does anyone have any recommendations?

David H. Fell, usually known as a refiner and metals supplier,
offers a unique line of pattern etched sheet metal in sterling, and I
think on special order, in gold as well. Last I checked, they’d do
custom runs with your patterns too. Good quality work. If I recall
right, they told me they use a hot cyanide electroetch process, which
accounts for the very smooth etches and good backgrounds they get.
Not a process for beginners, though.

Hope that helps.
Peter