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--></style><title>Re: [sdiy] DIY pcbs - how difficult is it, and
where to be</title></head><body>
<div>Julian,</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>You might want to have a look at the following website:</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>http://www.fullnet.com/u/tomg/gooteepc.htm</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>I've been using Tom Gootee's "protocol" for a few
boards (made about 10), all double sided, about 4x6" big. After
1-2 more or less unsuccessful trials it now works beautifully and is
just perfect!</div>
<div>Things to keep in mind when you consider doing PCBs yourself: you
need a few things:</div>
<div>- bare copper boards (cheap)</div>
<div>- carbide drill bits (can be cheap... search around)</div>
<div>- drill press (I bought one for approx. $70)</div>
<div>- drill (for example a Dremel)</div>
<div>- etchant (I use the plain ferric chloride - very cheap (ca. $4/
0.5L)</div>
<div>- "tinnit" (or similiar product) to tin plate the
copper traces after etching</div>
<div>- Iron (...)</div>
<div><br></div>
<div><br></div>
<div>This means your initial cost will be between $150 and $200
depending....</div>
<div>Personally, I think it's worth to do it yourself, but it's kind
of messy (both the etching and then the drilling).</div>
<div>One disadvantage of diy-pcbs: the holes will not be plated - I
believe they are normally silver-plated when having boards made. This
means you have to solder some of the components on both sides of the
board. Via holes are a pain (I'm using resistor leads for this)!</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>For a program, check the archives. There are many options. I'm
using the non-profit version of Eagle ($125) and I hate the size limit
very much but I got used to the program and I'll probably stick with
it for a while...</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>Hope this helps.</div>
<div>Dino</div>
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<blockquote type="cite" cite><font face="Arial" size="-1">Right, Its
something ive wondered about for a long time, but never made a start
with, so im wondering - etching your own board: how much of a black
art is it?</font></blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite> </blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite><font face="Arial" size="-1">How many
attempts is it likely to take before i get it right (i know thats an
open ended question, but, is it like 'wow - he got it to work first
time - amazing!' or what?)</font></blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite> </blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite><font face="Arial" size="-1">I have a
friend who tried twice in the past, with no success, i suspect that
they were reasonably carefull, so thats what worries me ;
)</font></blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite> </blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite><font face="Arial" size="-1">Is there
some fool proof technique? Im guessing
that the variables of temperature, time, and chemical
makeup all affect things, so im wondering if i can get a
specific set of one make of chemicals / boards and just follow
the directions to the letter - ie to take out any human skill on my
behalf.</font></blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite> </blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite><font face="Arial" size="-1">I know some
of you make boards all the time, but, as i say, im aware my
friend had no success, so it cant be that easy
either.</font></blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite> </blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite><font face="Arial" size="-1">Any comments
at all would be most appreciated.</font></blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite> </blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite><font face="Arial" size="-1">Again,
im in England, so any suggested products need to be
available here too.</font></blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite> </blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite> </blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite><font face="Arial" size="-1">Failing all
that, if i want to get a company to do it for
me...</font></blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite> </blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite><font face="Arial" size="-1">To go from
the schematic to pcb, i need to do the layout in some program (any
free and easy suggestions?) and upload the file to a company (i know
there have been threads in the past on companies), but, having never
used the layout software, im wondering how automated it all is?
Ie. is there stuff i need to *know* about board layout rather
then just being careful with inputting data off schematic? (Will
i have decisions to make)</font></blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite> </blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite><font face="Arial" size="-1">Basically,
id like to start on this, whichever way, but id really like some
pointers as to where to begin.</font></blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite> </blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite><font face="Arial" size="-1">Cheers,
Julian</font></blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite> </blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite> </blockquote>
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