Homebrew PCBs

The problem with this tank is not just the price... :-(

I bought one a few weeks ago and was very disappointed..

I ordered online and first off the heater was broken..  
the packaging was whlly inadequate.

I returned it and was still disappointed when the replacement came.

The tank itself is fine, the air pump is fine, but the heater was 
obviously substituted with a unit designed for aquariums ...  
although it is adjustable, it will not adjust to the 40 degrees 
celsius needed for efficient etching. In fact 33 was the maximum!

Anyone who has etched boards in quantity will tell you that it will 
be considerably slower.

The manufacturer of the tank is Velleman and I checked their site 
for this product and the original heater IS supposed to be a 40 
degree type.

In the end I rooked around in my shed and came up with a heater for 
beer that can be adjusted to 40.

I phoned Maplin and spoke to customer servives and their reply was 
to the effect that nowhere on the advertisement does it state that 
the tank heats the fluid to 40 degrees.

I tried to enter a review of the item on their website but for sme 
reason, it seems to have been censored out !

I wonder why !

Dont get me wrong, I generally applaud Maplin for their service and 
range, they are a useful supplier when the normal suppliers haven't 
got stock etc.   but in this case, they are just plain wrong.

If you want to etch boards in any sensible time, you will have to 
buy a different heater...

Chris  (-=Spiyda=-)   (and here ends the rant for the day !)



--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Richard" <Richard@T...> wrote:
>
> www.maplin.co.uk have one : order code N53BY for GBP £39-99
> 
> So do www.circuitspecialists.com for the same amount in $ USD  !
> 
> This is exactly same model, except for the supply voltage.
> 
> The price difference is unbelievable.. 
> 
> Has anyone purchased an ET20 from another supplier in the UK ?
> 
> 
> Thanks - Richard
>