I started out with the light overhead but having it under the tub works better for me. Only when the copper is gone does the light come through. The bulb also warms the acid a bit.
Rick
On Feb 12, 2013, at 5:43 PM, toddroberts2001@... wrote:
> In a message dated 2/12/2013 7:05:30 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
> rgsparber@... writes:
>
> The reason that having the ferric chloride dark is an issue for me is that
> I
> use a translucent tub that sits over a 200W incandescent bulb. I am able to
> slowly slosh the liquid back and forth while looking at the board being
> etched. As light shines through the copper free areas, I am able to monitor
> the process.
>
> Rick
>
> Good point Rick. It sounds like you are trying to see up through the
> board from the bottom up. Have you tried placing a bulb over top of the
> etching tub?
>
> I use one of those hand-held trouble lights and hold it directly over
> my etching tray so I can see what is going on with the board
> and check it every few minutes. Usually it is pretty easy for me
> to see when the copper is etched off the board. Not making the etchant
> level more than
> an inch deep over the board helps also. But I guess when the etchant gets
> too dark
> it can make it hard to see the board when it is submerged. The Ferric
> Chloride
> is already pretty dark to begin with.
>
> 73 Todd WD4NGG
>
>
>
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