[sdiy] PCB Etching

[patchell]

    This sounds about par for a first time etch...sounds a lot like my
first experience.  To get the 20 minute etch time, you really have to
agitate the solution.  Being poor at the time (35 years ago), I made a
cradle that I rocked back and forth.  It was tedious, but it worked.

    It does take a bit of practice...however, you might also be learning
why a lot of us just say no to PC board etching.

Prototek wrote:

>       I gave my first shot at PCB etching using a cheap Radio Shack
> kit. It
> consisted of 2 copper clad boards, etching solution, a marker, and
> resist
> ink remover.
>    Instead of using the marker I opted for the transfer stickers. I
> was able
> to transfer them on to the board after a little practice. I then
> placed the
> board in the etching solution for 20 minutes(like instructions said).
> I
> checked it out and there wasn't even a quarter copper faded yet!
>    To make a long story short, I let it sit about another 45 minutes
> and
> jiggled the tank around a little. The copper was finally gone, but my
> traces
> were horrible!! Leaving the PCB in the solution that long made my
> transfer
> stickers thinner and brittle, thus allowing the solution to creep
> through.
>
>    Is this how etching with solution always is? What method does
> everyone
> else use.
>
>                        -proto

--
 -Jim
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