PCB Etching - Tutorial Video

[chromesphere]

Hi all,
I've posted this on 'another' forum and thought i would leave it here as well.  Its a tutorial video detailing my process for etching PCB's.  If you looking to take the plunge into PCB etching, i'd encourage you to watch the video.  The process is pretty straight forward.
I hope you find some useful information in there, and thanks for watching!
Paul

http://youtu.be/DBq1QKY5beQ

[Perkla]

Hi all,
I've posted this on 'another' forum and thought i would leave it here as well.  Its a tutorial video detailing my process for etching PCB's.  If you looking to take the plunge into PCB etching, i'd encourage you to watch the video.  The process is pretty straight forward.
I hope you find some useful information in there, and thanks for watching!
Paul

http://youtu.be/DBq1QKY5beQ

Great video.. i have tried that before with pretty good results...u seem to get a good result as well   great job

[chromesphere]

Thanks Perkla,
I hope i've made it look as simple as it is to do.  We used to use photosensitive spray,  a UV bed, and those harsh chemicals, ferric chloride or whatever its called back at school, some years ago.  That process was a huge PITA.  This way is so much simpler.
Paul

[Perkla]

Thanks Perkla,
I hope i've made it look as simple as it is to do.  We used to use photosensitive spray,  a UV bed, and those harsh chemicals, ferric chloride or whatever its called back at school, some years ago.  That process was a huge PITA.  This way is so much simpler.
Paul

Well i use OH paper and it works pretty well, but i dont use ferric chloride.. i use something similar to what u used in your video.

[Dasher]

Thanks for sharing that Paul!

I'm thinking about getting into etching my own boards soon so that was very helpful. Nice to see that it looks pretty simple.

Scott

[chromesphere]

No prob Dasher, hope the info helps you. Eetching your own PCB's in this way is quick, simple, safe.  Its a really handy skill to have.   If you have a drill press or dremel, its cheap too!  All you need is an old iron, and a tub of ammonium persulphate which costs about 10 AUD for one of those tubs in the video.  So far i've etched over 50 pcbs, and only just bought a new tub of the stuff.  Goes a long way.   I will be doing a second video eventually of the next part - testing the board and drilling it. An easier step, but figured i might as well show the rest of the process.
Paul

[paulyy]

Great video on how to etch pcb's but I have to say. I love your video's on the Maestro FSH1 Clone. That pedal rocks. I'm getting ready to build one my self and hope mine comes out as good as yours.

[deadastronaut]

i used sticker/label backing paper for the first time last night, its amazing...prints perfectly, peel off while still hot too, no toner left on image at all......with no residue on pcb either..clean image too..., i highly recommend it..

no more rubbing off paper etc....try it guys...you'll love it.....

[chromesphere]

Yo deadastronaut!

Sounds interesting.  Id like to give it a try, but im not sure what you mean by sticker/label backing paper?  If it works as well as you say it does (just rip it off after you iron it!) i'd definitely want to give it a try...thanks for the tip!

Paul

[Dasher]

Does anyone have any opinions on how (if at all) the etched pcb should be finished to help prevent the copper traces from oxidizing over time? Thanks!

Scott

[chromesphere]

Hi Dasher,

I use this stuff.  I suspect its just a gloss paint, although it says 'solder through' so maybe not...

http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=NA1002&CATID=75&form=CAT2&SUBCATID=961#1

Paul

[deadastronaut]

hi paul:  its that A4 paper that has pre-cut address label size stickers on it...peel them all off, and print on the shiny side of the A4 backing.....

just don't rub the paper once printed..it will come off easy... ive just tried ironed 10 pcbs and they all came out fine...(waiting on etchant )



@dasher, when ive populated and tested the pcb, (make sure it works) , i give it a quick spray of clear coat to prevent oxidizing/verdi gris...

works for me!...

[Dasher]

Thanks Paul and Astronaut!

I'll probably end up just using some clear coat as I have plenty of that.

[SteveG]

As was mentioned in a different thread, you can use 'Immerse Tin Powder' to tin the tracks. IMO, the board doesn't really look finished until it's been tinned. The solderability is pretty marvelous, too. It's not nice stuff, but I've been using it recently and haven't keeled over or noticed hair growing on the palms of my hands (yet).

Steve

[deadastronaut]

@steve, ive never used that tinning stuff...

will it fill in a grainy trace too and make it 'fuller'/more solid/fill the grainy-ness..  ?

any cheapy brand recommendation?  UK. i might try it out...cheers.

[SteveG]

Hi Rob,

No, it doesn't fill in scratches, but it does make it much easier to run some solder along the tracks a la early Boss.

I got mine from Rapid:

http://www.rapidonline.com/Tools-Equipment/Tin-plating-crystals-29475/?sid=a0b6d1f3-b7e8-4f0e-adc2-0da03ece515e

It's not particularly cheap at about £15.

It also works on brass, so it's good for plating brass screws and other parts.

Steve

[deadastronaut]

cool, cheers man,  on brass too..hmmm interesting.

[cctsim]

Where can you buy ammonium persulphate in UK ?

Many thanks in advance.

[chromesphere]

Thanks for the info deadastronaut, i might give that a go for my next etch!

Sorry cctsim, not sure about that one, hopefully someone from the UK can help you source it.
Paul

[SteveG]

"Where can you buy ammonium persulphate in UK ?"

Here:

http://uk.farnell.com/cif/ar44/ammonium-persulfate-bag-1l/dp/1783552

Steve