prototyping methods - electroless tin plating

[David Halliday (Volt Computer)]

Check out http://www.finishing.com/index.html

They do a lot to try to discourage you but they also point the way to a
number of books and magazines.

I also took a look at IBM's patent server but didn't come up with
anything conclusive.

Another resource is Linsay's technical books at
http://www.keynet/~lindsay  They reprint some of the older trade books
on metal working and finishing - have an excellent one on anodizing -
easy to do, fairly safe ( dilute H2SO4 ) and gorgeous results!

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Grant Richter [SMTP:grichter at execpc.com]
> Sent:	Monday, September 22, 1997 1:40 PM
> To:	synth-diy at horus.sara.nl; Bob Zimmer
> Subject:	Re: prototyping methods
> 
> The GC Electronics part number for the Tin plate is 22-228-A. It comes
> in
> two parts (liquid and powder) and costs a lot, $12.95 for enough to do
> six
> 4" x 6" boards. But it works well and keeps the boards from corroding,
> even
> if you don't build them right away. I think it's just dilute sulfuric
> acid
> and tin sulfate forming a super saturate solution? You just toss the
> boards
> in for 5 minutes and they turn a nice shade of silver. Easy but
> expensive.
> Any chemists on the list have the skinny on electroless plating?
> 
> > From: Bob Zimmer <bzimmer at voicenet.com>
> > To: synth-diy at horus.sara.nl
> > Subject: Re: prototyping methods
> > Date: Monday, September 22, 1997 11:18 AM
> > 
> > At 03:11 AM 9/22/97 -0500, you wrote:
> > >I use  the GC Electronics single sided pre-sensitized boards. Use a
> layout
> > >program that lets you make "donut" pads with a 0.010 inside
> diameter.
> Laser
> > >print a positive and get a positive "stat" copy made onto clear
> acetate
> > >(around $8 - 12 US). I expose the board with a photoflood and
> develop it
> > >with the GC developer. Etchant is available a Radio Shack. The
> local
> > >surplus store sells #65 carbide drill bits for $0.50. Drill the
> holes
> with
> > >a mototool (the donut pads will self center). Then I tin plate them
> (also
> > >GC). A 4"x6" board costs about $5 and takes four hours or so start
> to
> > >finish. Chemicals are somewhat expensive, $5 for enough developer
> to do
> 10
> > >4 x 6 boards. The nice thing is, you can't tell the difference from
> a
> > >commercial single sided board and you can turn a prototype in two
> days.
> > >
> > >Just my $0.02
> > 
> > Grant,
> > 
> > I'm curious about your tin plate process.  I tried a board awhile
> back
> and
> > got nothing worthwhile.  Would you mind elaborating?
> > 
> > 
> > 
> >   >=== Bob Zimmer -- Phila, PA     bzimmer at voicenet.com ===<
> >   >===         http://www.voicenet.com/~bzimmer/        ===<
> >   >=== "Oat-bran noise is more likely to be an issue in ===<
> >   >=== situations where cereal data ia concerned [:-)]" ===<
> >   >===         Analog Dialogue - Analog Devices         ===<
> > 
> >