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

One of the things I don't like about making PCBs is soldering in a bunch of wires to connect top traces to bottom traces. The more surface mount stuff I use, the more often I need to add special vias as I no longer have component legs to use for that purpose.

I have used J-B Weld on a number of "emergency fixes" over the years and have been impressed with its utility. I believe this is a metalized epoxy which I assume should be conductive. I just mixed up a smal batch and will have to wait till late tonight or tomorrow to check it when it finally cures.

If this does conduct, then I was thinking I could apply this way....

1) Etch board
2) Tin board
3) apply clear contact paper to both faces of PCB
4) Drill all via holes
5) Use a spatula to smear the epoxy into all of the holes
6) After curing, remove contact paper

I suspect I might have small bumps of epoxy which if are a problem, a light sanding would knock them down. If the sanding is required I could put the board back in the liquid tin again.

I probably won't be able to do a full test for a couple of weeks but thought I would announce it to see if anyone else has tried this.

Chris