Etching PCBs

[parricide]

Hi everyone
i havent been around for a while, ive been too busy to play with my builds and bends
im back on the case again now though and ive been thinking about etching my own PCBs, but i dont really know the best way to do it, in fact i know close to nothing about it.

i understand that there are many ways of doing it, from converting printers to household chemicals.
what methods could you recommend and what are the advantages and disadvantages to them?

also i saw this link during my search on here:

http://www.stephenhobley.com/blog/2011/03/02/still-messing-with-forces-i-dont-understand-the-formula/

has anyone tried this? how did it go?


any information would be great.

thank you all

[Dylan]

I haven't tried this yet, but it looks super simple. . .

Super Simple Copper Etching -- Sylvia's Mini Maker Show

[parricide]

the laser printer option is the one ive come across the most.
unfortunately i forgot to mention that i havent got a laser printer and cant afford one any time soon, those things are pricey!
although i can check if my local library has one, im sure they will have, assuming they let me get on with it rather than want to do it for me.

i can remember doing it in school with a marker pen though, would this work in place of the laser printer and iron?
i can draw my idea out by hand, it doesnt have to be too tidy.

thanks for the reply

[Dylan]

I've heard of people doing it with sharpies and having a fairly good board come from it. If you have a kinkos or a Staples by you (or any office supply shop) they usually have laser jet printers you can use for a small price.

I'm hoping to do some stuff like this in the future. I want to make some kits, so if you still need help I'll be of more assistance then.

[parricide]

thanks.
ill try a pen and see how it goes, if that doesnt work ill see if i can use a laser printer.

any other techniques anyone?

[Circuitbenders]

any other techniques anyone?

Spend £750 on a CNC router and then realise you've got nowhere to put it, like i just did. 

[tbone]

Spend £750 on a CNC router and then realise you've got nowhere to put it, like i just did.  

Ha! What did you do with it then?

I'm definitely going to give the sharpie method ago before spending money on a laser printer. I didn't even know that would work.

For anyone here who makes effects pedals [or any kind of instrument they put in a metal enclosure] I found a great tutorial on etching the enclosures then using enamel paints to do the art on them. [I think the tutorial was on diystompboxes or something, I'll try and find it. But if interested you can see the guy's work here: http://www.ruzguitargear.tk]

**EDIT** Found the link
http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=81074.0

[Circuitbenders]

Ha! What did you do with it then?

Its still taking up space on the floor, waiting for me to find enough Dexion at a reasonable price to build some kind of table for it. Its a lovely bit of kit though.........

[Dylan]

**EDIT** Found the link
http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=81074.0

Thanks for the link! Been looking for tutorials on how to do that for ages.

[parricide]

any recommendations on chemicals? are there many different combinations?
also how do you go about disposing of them?

[Bogus Noise]

I love that enclosure etching idea! I've yet to buy the stuff to get going on etching my own PCBs, but that's looking a very nice way of making good looking box designs.

any recommendations on chemicals? are there many different combinations?
also how do you go about disposing of them?

In the video the girls says just pour the etchant back into the bottle! Have seen threads talking about disposal though, saying you shouldn't just pour it into the sink. Can't remember the best way to dispose though.

[Dylan]

You can take the chemicals to chemical dumps. I'm not sure where you find those though. I've heard of people mixing the chemicals into cement blocks, but that sounds like more of a hassle than anything.

[parricide]

thanks dylan. im sure there must be one near me somewhere.

i think im going to go for the simple marker pen and premade etchant from rapid technique for now.

anything i should know anyone?


thanks for the help everyone.

and thanks CB for the enclosure etch idea, looks great, i will be giving that a go in the near future.

[Dylan]

The only advice I would give for the marker technique is to use a very very fine tipped sharpie, and a piece of perfboard as a template. Good luck! And you should definitely document it! I wanna see how it turns out.

[tbone]

also how do you go about disposing of them?

I've read in a few places that you can neutralise the Ferric Chloride by adding Sodium Hydroxide [caustic soda - used as a drain cleaner so you can buy it in boots and probably most supermarkets].
BUT the reaction when mixing the two is very exothermic so to avoid any kind of chemical burns you should dilute the ferric chloride before adding the sodium hydroxide. You will then be left with a solution which is safe to pour down the drain.