Okay, in answer to the questions people have asked:
The recipe was simple. 2:1 ratio of H2O2 to HCL. The HCl was 20% concentration, in a toilet bowl cleaner called "The Works" that I purchased at WalMart for $0.94. The H2O2 was also from WalMart, from the pharmaceuticals section. Whatever they had...
The etchant works impossibly slow at first...threw in a sacrificial bit of copper wire, and let it dissolve all night. Once it turned from blue to emerald green, it worked beautifully for 4 boards. Took several hours to etch the boards. It did, however, turn into an ugly olive green that needed to be refreshed with a capful of H2O2, 3/4 of the way through the process.
The paper was high gloss ad paper, with as little black printing on it as possible. I used whatever I had lying around, "Family Circle" magazine, I believe. The ads were full color glossy, and the paper was dreadfully cheap.
LASER printer is a Samsung...and no I've not been able to get the toner off. It sticks that well. Acetone doesn't touch it...don't know what's in their toner, but it did transfer very well. I just set it to print extra-dark, and had more than enough present.
Even so I had issues with getting it to stick...that seems to be a learned skill. I got better at it by board 3 and 4.
As to posting photos...I don't know how to upload photos to the group...any suggestions?
Thanks for all the kind words, guys. But, remember, this is basically a one-off. I do have a drill press, but when you're talking about runout on a regular press, a 0.7mm carbide bit is a delicate thing. Mine would wreck it. And, while I don't want to build my own press for a one-off, I may end up doing it. Got a short length of THK linear rail, and may just attach to that.
Chuck
--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Chuck" <c.knight@...> wrote:
>
> I just made my very first PCB at home!!! Hooray!
>
> http://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-to-build-CNC-Mill-Stepper-Motor-and-Driver-ci/
> I made the "Easy Stepper" board from Instructables, and could not easily get etchant out where I live, so I used the toilet bowl cleaner/peroxide mix. Worked quite well, actually.
>
> And, I did it as LASER toner transfer, using magazine paper. Talk about low tech!
>
> Apparently it really ∗is∗ possible to make boards, at home, and affordably. Next step is going to be drilling them out.
>
> I have 1/16" drill bits that would fit my drill press, or my Dremel...and I have a 0.7mm solid carbide bit that fits either as well. My concern is runout and precision...carbide is very VERY brittle, and I have only one bit.
>
> Any hints for a first timer?
>
> THANKS!
>
> Chuck
>