I have this tank with the glass heater which I found broke one day, I was
wondering what would have happened if I had turned it on with 120V, is the
acid conductive enough that it blows up, is it a safety concern? I have been
looking for the shatter proof heaters which can go that high a temperature
and cheap...
My 2C on building your own avoid gluing and build the tank it is not worth
the trouble, imagine the damage if it leaks, try to use a solid container. I
use a bigger secondary container too I had a spill once a small one when I
tripped over the tank it was a terrible mess, and it never gets 100% clean.
Kim
----- Original Message -----
From: "Philip Pemberton" <ygroups@...>
To: <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, November 23, 2007 11:27 AM
Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Etching tank, build or buy?
> Dave wrote:
>> Is there some simple but professional plans to build an etchant tank? I
>> mean with heater and agitation, not just a jar and manual labor:)
>
> 1) Buy one of those Tupperware-style cereal containers - the big tall
> two-or-three litre things.
> 2) Glue a pair of 4" x 1" chunks of plastic (Perspex, Plexiglass,
> whatever's
> lying around) onto the bottom on either side -- one 4x1 on the left, one
> on
> the right. This should help stabilise the tank.
> 3) Buy an air pump, bubbler hose and fish tank heater from your local pet
> shop.
> 4) Glue the hose into the bottom of the tank - use something fairly inert
> and
> heat resistant. Araldite works a treat, 5-minute epoxy is slightly better
> (slightly stronger and more time to work with it before it sets).
> 5) Glue the heater support clip onto one side of the tank, then mount the
> heater.
> 6) Fill the tank about three-quarters full of water. Fire up the bubbler
> and
> the heater. Leave it like this for a while to get any glue residue out.
> Drain
> and repeat.
> 7) Fill the tank about three-quarters full of etchant. Fire up the heater
> about 20 minutes before you need the tank, and turn on the bubbler once
> the
> etchant is warm.
> 8) Drop your board in the tank. Wait for it to etch, then pluck it out. I
> usually drill a hole in the corner of the board and thread some insulated
> wire
> through it, then lift the board out by the wire.
>
> Probably not the best way to do it, but it works for me!
>
> I've got some photos of the thing if anyone's interested.
>
> --
> Phil. | (\_/) This is Bunny. Copy and paste
> Bunny
> ygroups@... | (='.'=) into your signature to help him
> gain
> http://www.philpem.me.uk/ | (")_(") world domination.
>
>
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