PCB Etching for Dummies

[frank_p]

Darron,
keep in mind that the peroxyde is only 3%.  So if you add half-half of both chemical you dilute the active ingredients a lot in water.  I think you would be better with a 1/3 ratio of peroxyde solution.   

[darron]

Darron,
keep in mind that the peroxyde is only 3%.  So if you add half-half of both chemical you dilute the active ingredients a lot in water.  I think you would be better with a 1/3 ratio of peroxyde solution.   

the link suggests mixing it to that ratio when the hydrochloric acid is about 30% and the hydrogen peroxide is 3%. it accepts that it's going to be mostly water, which is why it's hesitant about mixing in too much peroxide down the track. to keep it going it says that you just need to oxygenate it, and if you leave it out for the water to evaporate it becomes stronger. i'm pretty happy with it so far.

[frank_p]

i'm pretty happy with it so far.

Great !
So you like it more than ferric chloride now ?
F.P.

[darron]

i'm pretty happy with it so far.

Great !
So you like it more than ferric chloride now ?
F.P.

for etching pcbs? yeah. i think so so far. i like the idea of not having to throw it out. i only kept ferric chloride on hand though because i was etching more enclosures than i was pcbs.

[mr.adambeck]

Anybody know of a cheap tool for cutting the pcb's down to size?  I'd rather not invest in a scroll saw or something.

[rocknroll_lifestyle]

I just score numerous times with a razor blade until I know I can break it without cracking anything

[smallbearelec]

Anybody know of a cheap tool for cutting the pcb's down to size?

Cheap, and not too difficult, is the score-and-snap shown in this article:

http://www.smallbearelec.com/HowTos/DirectPCBoards/DirectPCBoards.htm

SD