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

Thank you all for your responses.Most usefull.I liked the cam idea,
i also experimented with a light from below through a pinhole which
is drilled in place in a piece of laminex. As i move the pcb over
the pinhole when im lined up, the light beam lights up the
pad.Problem is the board tends to disperse the light.I sure would
like to use CNC to mill the boards but this is what got me on to
this group in the first place! Yes these boards are for a
router/mill LOL. I have never tried making a complex(to me)pcb
before.So in the last few weeks I have learned how do toner transfer
and driven my wife nuts ,cause she has access to photocopier at
work .Problem is unless you have your own laser/copier it is hard to
experiment.So not being allowed to adjust the settings of the
photocopier is a major drawback.I was printing with our Epson inkjet
onto Kodak presentation paper at 1440 Dpi and then this was used to
photocopy onto various paper and transparancies.My results were good
but not consistent.I also learned how difficult it is to line up
transfers for double sided boards.I still reckon its a great cheap
system and my kids have applied it to their craftwork.Enter Phase2.I
bit the bullit and bought Kinsten presensitised PCB . Also got the
Jetstar Inkjet transparancies.I printed at 1440 Dpi I made 4
copies 2 for the top 2 for the bottom.I stuck the ink side to the
ink side lining them up perfectly.This also gave me a darker
black.Then I used double sided tape to stick the top to the bottom
leaving a pocket on one side.So 4 pieces alltogether shiny sides
out.Then I slide board in and expose in front of fluro lights for 8
minutes and develop.Not enough exposure on one side(I think).I etch
the board ,one side good other side bad.So I etch longer.This pitted
good side.Start again new board.Exposed in front of mercury
vapourlight for 2 minutes.Developed excellent result!Etch again this
time overcautiously and I only checked with my magnifying glass
should have checked with my eyepiece,I had 7 short circuits!I
cleaned it up.My third attempt turned out great.I'll try and post a
pic. I realise you guys have been there done that.Also most of the
credit goes to guys on this group and others.So back to
drilling.Bye .