I am not sure that you will be able to get the solder or lead into the
spaces left by the peeled-ff letters accurately.

I have tried similar method when making sundials:
I got a set of stick-on letters, stuck them on the face of the dial, sprayed
the whole thing with paint and then peeled off the numbers. I then etched
the whole thing with Ferric Chloride. The big problem was that whatever glue
there is left behind from the stick-on letters it acts as an effective
resist and screws up the results. Cleaning up the glue with acetone is
difficult - sometimes you cannot see it, sometimes you remove the paint with
the glue.

I then tried the opposite: Stick on the letters (the face is sanded to 400
grit first) and use them as a resist, etch away all the rest. This produces
an interesting effect on steel. The letters are shiny and the rest looks
sand-blasted. There are few issues with this which I am working on.

If you only have 3 letters to do it is not unreasonable to cut them out from
whatever metal you choose and stick them on with JB Weld. This holds really
well particularly if there is no structural load. I have learned to do this
as heat from soldering/brazing/welding has a rather unpredictable effect on
the final appearance of the piece.

Hope this helps,

--
Michael Koblic,
Campbell River, BC

"Ivan Vegvary" wrote in message
news:RzsJj.13$mL2.9@trndny03...
This is an art type project. I have a 4" (1/4 inch thick) piece or art
metal that I cut in the shape or a Lauburu. This is the Basque national
symbol. Sort of a swastika but with rounded lobes instead of sharp right
angles.

Anyway, I need to put three initials on it, about 3/4 inch high. Stick
welding it on would be too crude, especially considering my lack of
technique. Stamping it would not work since the biggest stamp set I own
is 3/8 inch high.

Here is one thought. Print the letters (fancy font) on paper, glue to
metal and coat the rest of the metal with some form of resist. Peel off
paper and either solder or melt lead onto the un-resistant lettered areas.
When done I could either brush it so the letters are bright, or, gild it
with gold.

Need help with resist and flux to use.

Not at all married to the above technique. ANY OTHER IDEAS would be
greatly appreciated.


Thanks,

Ivan Vegvary