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

Hi to all.
I just used a modified stubby plotter pen to hold a steadler
lumocolor pen (sold in maplins as etch resist pen) and I have plotted
my first circuit ready for etching.
I bought a maplin etch starter kit (tray, ferric chloride, a pen &
some pcbs) and gave the plotted circuit a quick etch...
It took about 10-20 minutes to etch (swishing cold etchant straight
from the bottle in the tray).
I will try to upload an image of the etched PCB for everyong to see
but sufficed to say the surface finish isn't great (lots'o pitting)
but I think this is because of the pen ink slightly dissolving during
the etch (On my plot tests, I left the ink on the board overnight and
coldklene had problems taking the ink off the day after...ideas
anyone?).
Anyhow, I checked the board for continuity and it was fine. Under 3x
magnification, it looked like terrible.
Oh, one problem...I forgot to buy some drill bits (DUH!)

Now, some help required: what type of containers can ferric chloride
be safely kept in and used for etching...I am looking at using those
glass preserve jars with the funny external locking mechanism and the
rubber o-ring for holding etchant and boards.
Basically, what type of seals (paper, rubber, fibre etc.) are ferric
proof?

Roger, thanks for the guide to using the photo-resist spray but at 10
quid a can, bit expensive for me at the moment...

regards, PK