[sdiy] PCB etching and safety

[epeasant at telusplanet.net]

Hello, David,
> 
> Hello everyone,
> 
> I've decided to go ahead a start etching my own PC
> boards.

Good on ya! :-)
 
> Before I go ahead with it I thought I'd pick the brains
> of those of you
> who have experience.

There's some info on this in the archives, and I'm sure 
others will recommend a bunch of good urls, etc..
 
> The first concern is safety. Obviously rubber gloves, old
> clothing and
> safety glasses are in order, what about fumes? Everything
> I've read
> basically says that one should work in a well ventilated
> area (common
> sense this is really).
 
Ferric chloride is not a big problem for fumes, opening 
your windows should be fine. But it does stain things very 
badly, especially porous materials like clothes. I've heard 
that ammonium persulfate fumes are a bit worse, but I've 
never used it myself. (I purchased a huge jar of FeCl 
powder from my high school electronics class many, many 
years ago, and it's met my humble needs ever since.)
 
> Also, most instructions state that a plastic tray is most
> suitable for
> etching. Does this mean just about any plastic will do,
> even old
> Tupperware containers?

As long as there are no cracks to leak and it's not brittle 
from age, then it should work fine. Remember to agitate the 
tray and heating the FeCl will speed the process. (I use a 
heat lamp) Good luck!
 
Take care,
Doug
______________________
The Electronic Peasant

www.electronicpeasant.com