Guide to making your own PCBs

[dadde]

I made a a simple guide to make your own printed citcit bords
http://rcexplorer.se/page14/page15/files/balanserare4.jpg (http://rcexplorer.se/page14/page15/page15.html)
Click here to read the guide (http://rcexplorer.se/page14/page15/page15.html)

[jafoca]

Hey - I did a read-thru of most of your site today - full of good info!

Thanks for contributing it!

I am getting an urge to buy a blizzard now! But I think that will have to wait until after I pick up my FPV gear.

[dadde]

Thanks jafoca!
Yeah the blizzard is fun :) But FPV is important too ;)

[dmccormick001]

dadde:

Nice site! I still haven't finished looking around at all of it.

In your guide to making PC boards, I noticed that you place your copper board into the solution and agitate it while etching, as has been the "standard" proceedure for a long time. Have you tried using a sponge soaked with the etchant instead? I started using this method a couple of years ago, and it's incredible how much easier it is. You only need enough solution to soak the sponge, you don't have to mix enough to cover or immerse the whole board. Just mix enough to saturate the sponge, then wipe it repeatedly over the surface of the board, moving to a different section or corner of the sponge with each swipe. Somebody (don't know who?) discovered that by wiping the surface of the board while the solution is working, it breaks the surface tension of the etchant and allows a fresh layer to contact the board. That's why agitating or bubbling the etchant speeds it up, but wiping the sponge across it is much more effective. It takes much less time to remove the copper using this method, which of course helps prevent undercutting of the mask and allows for very fine traces. Try it, you'll like it!

[KreAture]

Instead of sanding the board you can also use rubbing alcohol or red spirits.
It's better for the boards when you have fine structures like fine pitched surface mount stuff, and it also leaves more copper for conduction.

[Tomapowa]

... Somebody (don't know who?) discovered that by wiping the surface of the board while the solution is working, it breaks the surface tension of the etchant and allows a fresh layer to contact the board.

http://www.pulsarprofx.com/PCBfx/main_site/pages/tech_support/no_etching_tank/no_etching_tank.html

[JMP_blackfoot]

I have had good results and fast etching with small PCB by "floating" them in a shallow container of etchant. In this manner, etched copper drops to the bottom, leaving only fresh etchant in contact with the copper. I find that by sliding the PCB onto the surface, no air is trapped underneath. Warming the solution slightly also accelerates the process.