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Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Spray Etching

From: Russell Shaw <rjshaw@...>
Date: 2007-04-22

guja wrote:
> you dont need spray etcher to make such boards.
> it is much easier to make tank that uses foam .
> you need tank (with angled board inside) , low pressure pump, simple bubbler and few litres of fecl .. and an (domestic) additive to make good fecl bubbles :)

Bubble and foam etchers are a very gentle agitation and etch everything
off in most cases. Many times however, traces of copper are left because
of stubborn resist caused by variations in pcb cleaning, coating, and age
of chemicals used.

A spray etcher with proper nozzles has a ∗very∗ hard fluid impact compared
to bubble etchers and really knocks off the last few percent of stubborn
cases.

> electrophilip <electrophil@...> wrote:
> Adam Seychell <a_seychell@...> wrote:
>
>> Before anyone comments on the excessive effort in designing and
> building
>> ones own spray etcher for the purpose of homebrew PCBs, I'll say its
>> ultimately just part of a hobby and much like any home project.
>>
>> Adam
>>
> I am not interested in knocking anyones design, I have a lathe, mill &
> most other tools needed to construct hobby stuff.
> I am interested if anyone has photos or links or parts lists, I'm in
> Tasmania so no doubtedly I may not be able to get parts from the other
> side of the world.
> I am prepared to make an etch tank for hobby use that may get used
> from 1 time per month to many times per week.
> My preferred size board to fit would be no bigger than 200 x 300 mm as
> that is the biggest board that will fit in my exposure unit.
> Philip