Archive of the former Yahoo!Groups mailing list: Homebrew PCBs

Ok I have just joined this group and was reading the various topics.
One that has intrigued me was the plating through the circuit board
hole method using carbon. I have wanted to do this for quite some
time. I have experimented with a graphite spray that sells at
Canadian tire, (I live in Edmonton Alberta Canada). I would pre drill
the CB and then basically spray a puddle on the board and use a
squeegee to fill all of the holes. Then use an air knife to clear the
holes leaving a residue. Then let dry and sand the leftover graphite
from the board. I would then electroplate with acetic acid (vinegar).
However the issue was the length of time to plate. The graphite was
suspended in a weak binder, perhaps a urethane or other type
of "plastic coating". It seemed that only long times in the acetic
acid bath would allow plating of copper onto the graphite. I am
thinking that I should have used a strong sulfuric or hydrochloric to
break down the surface layer and then plate. However I have not tried
this yet. The carbon method mentioned here in the files section seems
better so I would like to know, can I use crushed carbon for this
method or perhaps using a candle's carbon to coat the holes as it is
very difficult to get chemicals here in small quantities. Does anyone
have any ideas as to how this could be done simply? I know it is a
complex process using palladium or the other ones mentioned, hoverer
I have the time to use a slow process and it would only be for hobby
purposes.