Sharpie will do FeCl as long as you get a good solid coat of it on there.
And make sure not to over etch.
This next part is debatable. but IMO drilling first before etch can lead to
under cutting around the pad, leaving a small circle on the inside of the
pad that will be non conductive. this may or may not be a problem, being
your first board, probably wont be. as you can goop a big solder bogey over
the pad and all is well, - but not pretty.
I personally always dill before etch, but I use a completely different
process, which includes, plating the holes, and using plated tin as the etch
resist.
----- Original Message -----
From: "mr_gees100_peas" <geovar13@...>
To: <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2004 10:01 AM
Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] to drill or not to dril?
>
> Hi I've ben reading this group for a while and I feel confident
> enough to make my firt PCB. I decided to use the PnP transfer paper
> and iron it on. Right now I manage to transfer my design to a copper
> bard fairly well. The thing is that I see all those holes and they
> are so smal. I hear some people drill the holes after they etch
> becase they can use the hole as a guide. Well, I tried driling a few
> holes in a practice pice of copper board nd I keep missing the mark.
> The board an't een etch yet but I wondering if I should drill the
> holes fist that way I can add more resist in case I screw up.
>
> My second question is about sharpie pen. When I was transfering my
> desing a few pads and trces did not transfer properly. I took a
> sharpie pen and fille in the missing gap. Will the sharpie resist
> ferric cloride or will it fail?
>
>
>
> Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Bookmarks and files:
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