Etching Station

[Andy]

Does anyone know the address of that picture where the guy made a plexiglass container and had a heater in it with an airstone?  I can't find it in my favorites.

[Rick]

Don't have the address anymore but I tried this idea with an ultra cheap aquarium once. The aquarium will hold up to the etchants but the airstone does not (turns into a pile of sand in short order). Better to replace the airstone with a small plastic tube with tiny holes poked into it, maybe several tubes, then afix it/them to the bottom of the tank with the air hose attached.
Even a heavy-weight drinking straw (from a slushy) works great - just seal up the end with some hot melt glue. All the stuff req'd for this is in the Wall Mart fish section - aquarium heaters, air pumps etc.

It does work quite well for a while but the fish tank heaters die like goldfish. I just use an old microwave or even a light bulb to warm the etchant and float my circuit board on top. Works just as well for small boards.

[Andy]

I devised one tonight using an old vase and a heater and an air pump.  Problem is, to get the etchant above the heaters water level I will have to use a WHOLE bottle at once.  How long would this bottle (32 oz) last if I used the entire thing for every etch?  I'm wasting it aren't I?  I wanted to see what that guy had again to give me an idea.  I could buy some plastic and build a section dedicated to the heater and a section dedicated to the boards.  That way, minimal amount of etchant is used.  I plan on doing sorta what you said by attaching a hose across the bottom.  I remember someone else saying that about the stones.  When I get one designed, I will try to post plans here for everyone.

[Jered]

You can use, and re-use ferric chloride as long as it works. You'll know when its time to replace it.
  Jered

[Thomas P.]

I'm not sure, but maybe I'm the guy you searching for!
Bad news first: I don't know the link anymore

I built my machine of polystyrol (something like plexiglass).
For echtant I use Natriumpersulfat and I eched 7 boards with it over 3 months. I think it'll last for seven more boards :wink: .

If you want to save etchtant build one and make it very thin - then you'll have min. amount of etchtant to use.

Regards,
tomboy