Newbie PCB ques..

[Jim Patchell]

Harry Bissell wrote:

> Try the  TTS "Toner Transfer System"... (Digi-Key carries it...) You
> photocopy or lazer print your artwork (mirror image required) and then Iron
> it on the bare copper PCB. It works better than resist pen... but still
> not perfect. If you get good adhesion to the copper eberything will be OK.
> I'd go with 20 mil minimum runs...
>
> IMHO only a "kook" will try to run between DIP pads on a home etch board.
> Fix the layout and use a jumper... reliability will be 100% better. Flame
> ME if you want... I'm right !!!!
>

    I would say you are more than right, and I would take it even one step
further.  I gave up on home etching a long time ago.  I decided it was just a
lot easier to build the projects on a vector from the very start.  If I needed
a PCB, it was by far a lot less hassel to tape up the artwork (even less hassel
now with CAD) and pay somebody else to make the boards.  I just don't messing
around with the chemicals any more.  The rusults while satisfactory, never
seemed to justify the time put into it.

    -Jim