I would argue that the look of acid etching cannot be duplicated by
simply sandblasting. For one, the process of sandblasting destroys the
transparency of the the glass which acid etching retains. To achieve a
similar effect, you would need to fire polish the sandblasting
afterwards, and even that is still not as "clear" as the HF approach.

That said, it is nearly impossible to find any studio in the US that
still acid etches. This has more to do with safety regulations and
insurance than a preference for sandblasting. It is possible to build a
facility that can safely acid etch very large glass surfaces, but you
would need to spend a lot of money to do it right. There can be no
short cuts with something so dangerous.

(As a digression here is a story about my first HF attempt: Etching a
small piece of flashed glass in a plastic darkroom tray, I set my
operation up outside using a large fan to blow the fumes away from me.
The etching was uneventful & successful. However, within two weeks the
mature pine tree twenty feet downwind of my etching station was dead!
At the time I remember seeing the fumes blowing towards it and gave it
no further thought. HF is as dangerous as everyone says.)

There are a couple of German studios with very nice acid etching rooms.
They have sophisticated ventilation systems and employees wear a lot
of safety gear! Perhaps you should try and get a job with them to learn
how to do it safely.

If you do decide to build such an operation in the USA, let me know.
You will get some of my business!

--Cactus

^TahirKanch^ wrote:
Hi,

I am fully aware of the dangers for HF, but can anyone please guide me,


***How to setup a workshop/studio to acid etch 5 feet long sheet of
glass?***

I have worked with it in a different country, but because of OSHA, EPA,
Fire Marshall etc. requirements am confused as how to go about setting
up a studio for acid etching here in the U.S.

I know that there needs to be a proper ventilation and proper storage
along with handling ofcourse. I also realize that an OSHA approved
equipment is very expensive.

***Can someone please guide me to what the OSHA approved equipment is
AND please tell me if there is any other cheaper alternative to
that?***

Any help would be very much appreciated!!

Tahir.