Etching PCB's and Enclosures

[shugs81]

Hi chaps...

doubt this is in the right place...

I'm looking to start etching pcbs to make my boxes neater and also looking to etch enclosures cause it looks awesome...

I've looked into guides and things and looks easy enough... my issue is disposal of ferric chloride in the UK...

what's the best way to do it and how do i know that it's no longer usable? I bought a kit that covers photo resist and normal etching and it comes with the ferric chloride stuff that you mix with water...

any help would be good...

ta!

[.Mike]

Have a look in this topic:

http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=50426.0

Pretty good discussion on disposal methods.

Mike

[Milotic]

why don't you use a different etchant? Like hydrochloric acid and hydrogen peroxide.  I heard this mixture is usable.

[shugs81]

through reading the link on the previous post I'm probably going to get the tray kits from rapid... seems the most sensible solution...

fully enclosed resealable tray that comes with stuff to neutralize and solidify it so i can put it in the bin...

http://www.rapidonline.com/productinfo.aspx?kw=seno%20etchant&tier1=Tools%2c+Fasteners+%26+Production+Equipment&tier2=PCB+Equipment&tier3=Etching&tier4=Seno+GS+etching+system&moduleno=29446

seems the easies solution.... just need to work out if i can do enclosures in it!!! the issue i have is that I don't really have anywhere to store 1l of toxic chemicals at the moment so the trays will be much more convenient!!

[Manny]

I hadn't seen that all in one box from rapid before. Might give that a go myself 

[deadastronaut]

i buy the the browny/orange  balls ferric stuff.around £5.00.maplins/craplins ....mix what amount you like..i found the brown ball stuff really works well on both pcb and aluminium boxes..

just use a plastic tub and mix enough to cover the pcb...

agitate it to stop it forming bubbles on the surface, and get a nice even etch..

you'll know when the ferric is spent .it will take longer and longer to etch something, till it wont etch anymore...throw in a tiny scrap of pcb and see....

tips for desposal above^link.

[shugs81]

I've got the PCB etching kit from maplin... I think I'd rather use one of the all in one kits as I'd rather have something like that which is much easier to store and use then dispose of... like I said I don't trust myself to store a big jar of acid... 

[deadastronaut]

ha ha..big jar!...my god what are you making?...

i store a cup full max thats it...perfectly safe...usual rules apply, keep out of reach of kids/animals etc though... good luck with it.