Several post-etch questions

[deadspeaker]

I did my first etch today! It's actually for an amp, but I thought I'd share here anyway. I used whatever gloss paper the girl at officemax put in the printer. Ironed it on and it kind of stuck for the most part. Touched it up with a sharpie and then dunked it in some muriatic acid several short times because I didn't want to over etch it. Anyways I over etched it.

1) Will I be able to fill the broken up looking pads with solder?

2) Some lines are touching others. What is the best way to separate them?

3) The smallest bit I have seen at lowes/homedepot is the 1/16. Is there some kind of bit or dremel attachment that I can pick up at lowes or the other to drill tiny holes.

Thanks for your guys help.

[JOHNO]

I dont think solder will bridge the gaps ,it depends on how big the gaps are. you could use a lead of a resistor soldered across the gaps though. As for the traces touching you could use a small file or carefully cut them with a small knife. As for the dremel bit i cant help you there. good luck . JOHNO

[deadspeaker]

I just took a multimeter to it, and things arn't that bad. I also discovered that I have a little dremel thing that sands off the unwanted connections. I guess I could sand of the really then traces completely and use resistor leads to connect them. Thanks for the idea.

[Filament]

3) The smallest bit I have seen at lowes/homedepot is the 1/16. Is there some kind of bit or dremel attachment that I can pick up at lowes or the other to drill tiny holes.

The best way I have found to drill the holes in the pads is with the tiny drill bits that drill bit city sells.  I think you can get a ten pack of resharps for about 12 bucks and they work wonderfully.  In fact, I just bought another ten because I had gotten down to four when my uncle accidentally broke one because he didn't realize how small it was.  Here's a link to the size I use.  You'll need a slightly larger size for some of the protection diodes that have the really big leads but those are few and far between. Hope that helps. 

http://drillcity.stores.yahoo.net/680310resharp1.html

Oh, and get yourself a drill press....please.

[raycroft]

best drill bits http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94606.  AND , who can beat $1.99?

[deadspeaker]

Wow 2 dollar or so set looks great. I might get a couple sets. I found my self at lowes again today(I build random stuff. I think I'm addicted) and I discovered a tiny bit set in the dremel area. It was about 8 dollars and it ranged from a 1/32 to a 1/8. Pretty happy to find that so I could drill today. I had to use masking tape to get the bit to stay in the dremel, but I didn't break it! Now I know I'll break it eventually, so I'll see about getting those cheep ones. Thanks for the help

[Filament]

I'm not usually so forward but I'm telling you, in the long run, the 11 or 12 bucks you spend at drill bit city will be money well spent. 

[birt]

those "expensive" drill bits don't break as easy when using them. as long as you drill straight down and be carefull they last a VERY long time