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

----- Original Message -----
From: "jusdebra" <pookie_debra@...>
To: <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 9:17 PM
Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Newbie questions


> OMG, my dad is a Dave Miller. Almost freaked me out when I saw it. I was
> thinking, "Is he in this group?"
>
> Anyway, you guys have me confused again. Some recommend acid and some
> alkali. I've worked with both in some very strong concentrations and know
> how to handle them. I have a $300 respirator with O2 feed and lots of
> gloves. My biggest question is the type of paper you use in the printer
> so you can get a transfer. Where do you get it? Also a good source for
> blank boards (single side to start with). What about software? Is there
> a freeware that works good for simple layouts? Is there a standard
> commercial package that everyone uses or is the most popular. I've read
> about Eagle????
> I've done some layouts by hand with a felt tip pen, but it's time
> consuming and difficult to edit.

We were discussing the photo etch process, not toner transfer. NaOH solution
is for developing the resist after UV exposure.

Everyone uses different software. I use Pulsonix which is excellent but
rather expensive. A free version of Eagle is available that will do small
boards, but it isn't an easy program to use. Then there is PCB (completely
free) which is usually run under Linux. KiCAD is another free program.

Leon