questions for board makers

[jmasciswannabe]

I am about to begin making some boards for my effects projects and had a couple of questions. I got my copper blanks from smallbear but they have some surface scratches on  them.....will this cause a problem in the long run? Also, I am using a bottle of ferrick chloride etchant from radio shack. How many boards can I soak at one time. I have a total of six that I want to soak. Would that be too many? Thanks for your time and patience!

[Paul Marossy]

Just roughen up the surface with a green 3M pad until it's nice and shiny. A few little surface scratches shouldn't hurt anything as long as they aren't too deep. You can etch as many boards as you want at a time, just make sure that you have a good amount of etchant in there so you get good results without it having to take a long time. The quicker you can fully etch them, the better the results usually are.

[toneman]

asslongas the scratches aren't 2 deep,
(all the way to the fiberglass) U should B fine.
It's important that U clean the copper til it's shinny.
Might even get rid of the scratches.  U don't say how deep they are.
To shine up the pcb, I use either 320 or 200 grit wet/dry sandpaper.
Use wet, under running cold water.  Sand in several directions,
handling the board by it's edges.  I just lay it in the sink , run the water
and sand. Good to wash your hands well B4hand so U have a minimal
amt of hand oils.   When done sanding, dry the board on a clean, dry
towel.  U want to aviod getting hand oils on the coppersurface from
now on...always handle the pcb by the edges, or use latex gloves.
Now, U want to get the pattern on the copper ASAP Bcause the copper
starts oxidizing immediately in the air.
RS FeCL3, in liquid form, in winter temperatures(USA), won't etch 2 fast.
Warm up in indirect water bath as just mentioned in a previous thread.
(do a search for "etching")
Always use *glass* pan/tray/bottle/container 4 etching, never metal.
Depending on the size of the pcb, U can use a 8x8 Pyrex baking dish.
Oh, and etch one board at a time with this setup.
To agatate pcb in solution, drill a small hole in one corner.
Use an *insulated* wire or other plastic coated . Tie on to corner hold.
Now  U can use the wire to agitate the pcb in the solution.  
Tray should B large enough 4 U to slide the pcb back and forth about
3 or 4 inches.  The idea is to expose the surface to new FeCL3.
After a bit, U will see the copper dissappeaing...  
After copper is removed to your satisfaction, rinse under cold water,
and rub surface lightly with fingers or a small brush.
Google for "ferric Chloride"  & "etching" and "printed circuit" etc
for more info/tips/techniques.  Also, search these archives.
U want to stop all etching action by removing/neutralizing all FeCL3.
I do all my etching outside, Under a tree.
Guess I'm a ShadeTreeEtcher.
staysafelyetched
tone

[nightingale]

i use steel wool~

then i clean them wit htis stuff called "zud" natural metal cleaner.. i think i got it free with oxyclean? it woks really well..

then i rub them down with alcohol..

then i do pres'n'peel..

thats my routine..

the whole press'n'peel thin is kind of an art in itself.. not very forgiving stuff..

hth,