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previous: Mark Hammer Re: can anyone tell me how to make PCB's? -- 3/2/2000 6:39 AM

Re: It works! / Etchant

3/5/2000 8:58 AM
Jim Radmer	Re: It works! / Etchant Thank you Mark, I tried making a SB III PCB today with a great result. I used a plainf copper PCB, actualle a leftover from my many tries with the photoprocess The center punch idea is very good. Place the layout on top of the PCB and punch all the holes. The marks catch the tiny drill bit which is a great help while drilling. I wonder if this will mean breaking more bits, time will tell. I used two Staedler fineline markers (red on blue) and there was very little etching done under the ink. The tracks are good and solid. It was a little hard to draw between the legs but shortcuts can be cut free with a scalpel under a magnifier glass later. Mark, anyone: How do you mix the FerroCloride? I just popped it in until it looked good. Do you have a mix ratio? Also, my PCB only floated on top of the bath for about 5 seconds! I let it drown, turned it around and used a wooden stick to make some motion in the bath (I used a circle shaped container). I placed a lamp just above the bath to keep the temperature up. The bath too was made from hot water. That's it, a great method if you can't get the photomethod working and if you can't get Press'n Peel (or won't pay for it). This is a good and simple method (though time consuming) for making one or two PCB's). Thanks Mark

3/5/2000 8:58 AM

Jim Radmer

Re: It works! / Etchant

Thank you Mark, I tried making a SB III PCB today with a great result. I used a plainf copper PCB, actualle a leftover from my many tries with the photoprocess :-)

The center punch idea is very good. Place the layout on top of the PCB and punch all the holes. The marks catch the tiny drill bit which is a great help while drilling. I wonder if this will mean breaking more bits, time will tell.

I used two Staedler fineline markers (red on blue) and there was very little etching done under the ink. The tracks are good and solid. It was a little hard to draw between the legs but shortcuts can be cut free with a scalpel under a magnifier glass later.

Mark, anyone: How do you mix the FerroCloride? I just popped it in until it looked good. Do you have a mix ratio?

Also, my PCB only floated on top of the bath for about 5 seconds! I let it drown, turned it around and used a wooden stick to make some motion in the bath (I used a circle shaped container). I placed a lamp just above the bath to keep the temperature up. The bath too was made from hot water.

That's it, a great method if you can't get the photomethod working and if you can't get Press'n Peel (or won't pay for it). This is a good and simple method (though time consuming) for making one or two PCB's). Thanks Mark

Replies:

Stuart For ferric chloride, try 40-50% wei... -- 3/5/2000 10:48 AM
Mark Hammer Thanks for the validation, Jim.... -- 3/5/2000 2:44 PM