[sdiy] PCB houses

[Adam Schabtach]

That's a point well taken. Also, used ferric chloride can be neutralized
with sodium carbonate, which is sold in grocery stores in the US as "washing
soda". This makes its disposal somewhat simpler and somewhat less
environmentally offensive.

What I'd like to know is whether there is a tinning solution that isn't made
out of pure evil. I read the MSDS for Tinnit and another solution I found
advertised online, and both of them were scary enough that I wouldn't want
to be anywhere near the stuff. I've never bothered tinning my boards but I
wonder whether they'd be easier to solder if I did so.

--Adam 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: synth-diy-bounces at dropmix.xs4all.nl 
> [mailto:synth-diy-bounces at dropmix.xs4all.nl] On Behalf Of 
> Matthew Smith
> Sent: Friday, January 23, 2009 2:04 PM
> To: synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
> Subject: Re: [sdiy] PCB houses
> 
> Quoth John Mahoney at 2009-01-24 01:58...
> > If anyone knows a [fully] US-based, environmentally-friendly PCB 
> > house, let us all know about it.
> 
> As this is a DIY list, I should probably remind people that 
> there is a DIY option.
> 
> For anyone who has been put off doing this by having worked 
> with yucky chemicals like ferric chloride, there is always 
> ammonium persulphate, which I use.
> 
> It's not very expensive to get kitted up.  I bought a heated 
> bubble etch tank for under $100 AUD and made my own UV 
> exposure box (for positive
> photoresist) for about $30 AUD in parts.
> 
> It can be done, it's not hard and it's considerably less 
> fiddly than other tasks we perform (like soldering fine 
> components) and can be performed by highly-skilled, 
> conscientious, and ethical people (ie: us
> ;-)) in [INSERT NATION OF CHOICE].
> 
> Suggested link:
> <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs/>
> 
> That's not to say that I wouldn't use a PCB house, but I 
> would rather take the DIY approach where practical since, 
> after all, what I'm doing is (mainly) a hobby.
> 
> Cheers
> 
> M
> 
> --
> Matthew Smith
> Smiffytech - Technology Consulting & Web Application Development
> Business: http://www.smiffytech.com/
> Personal: http://www.smiffysplace.com/
> LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/smiffy 
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