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Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Etching note

From: "Dale J. Chatham" <dale@...>
Date: 2010-06-11

On 06/11/2010 10:20 AM, Frank P wrote:
> Mark,
> I checked at my local HomeDepot and, although they had muriatic acid for swimming pools, it came in a large, two-pack container. Have you found it in smaller quantities at other hardware store? If so, where and how small?
>

Yes, but two bottles cost about $10.00. If you find smaller amounts,
I'll bet it costs more. I'd think that the prudent thing to do would be
to buy the 2 gallons, decant whatever amount you think you should use
and use the rest to clean your driveway :) Or, neutralize it with NaOH
(carefully). It's also useful for cleaning toilets :)

> Also, where do you get your NaOH?
>

Try Drano.

> I have been vacillating between using FeCl and CuCl but I have concerned about storage and disposal for both. I am also trying to keep my quantities on hand small, so I am not storing a lot of potentially harmful liquids around my home.
>
> Thanks.
>
>
>
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Mark Lerman<mlerman@...> wrote:
>
>>
>> Whoops - I mean no bubbler or heater used - there is heat and
>> bubbling produced by the etching process.
>>
>>
>> At 10:06 AM 6/10/2010, you wrote:
>>
>>> I don't make a lot of boards, and most of them are quite small, so
>>> I've been looking for a simple, fast way to etch. After experimenting
>>> with a few suggested recipes, I use a 1:1 ratio of muriatic acid
>>> (31.45%) to 12% hydrogen peroxide. The muriatic acid is available in
>>> any hardware store, the peroxide is easily obtained from a beauty
>>> supply store as "40 volume developer" - get the clear, not the creme.
>>> They are both very inexpensive, and the etching takes 1-2 minutes
>>> with a little hand agitation, no bubbling, no heat. DO THIS OUTDOORS
>>> or with a chemical hood. Then use NaOH to neutralize.
>>>
>>> For an etching container I use a polypropylene storage bin - they
>>> sell them is many sizes and they are very inexpensive.
>>>
>>> Mark
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ------------------------------------
>>>
>>> Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and Photos:
>>> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and Photos:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>


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