Homebrew PCBs

On Tue, 10 Jan 2006 00:09:31 +0100, alan00463 <alan00463@...> wrote:

> Sure, Adam.   I want to etch the copper artwork *before* I have all
>
> the components to populate the board with.   So that is why I wanted
>
> some substance to cover the copper traces immediately after etching so
>
> they don't become oxidized.    I was thinking it would be easier to
>
> solder the (through-hole) components in place if I used an
>
> electrically conductive material.   Or should I use something I can
>
> later clean off the copper traces with solder flux when ready to
>
> populate the board?


There's a much easier option.
Buy a can of solder laquer spray. It is a laquer made mostly of colophony  
resin and alcohol.
It takes a while to dry, but overnight it is hard and dry to the touch.

This _is_ flux, so soldering is easy even after a long time.
Unless you are dealing with extremely high impedance circuits you can  
leave it on for protection even after soldering.


Much quicker than any plating, cheaper, and easier to solder. I use it all  
the time.


And yes you are right, conductivity of plating can be important. For  
example with high frequency the plating can actually increase resistance  
of a track because skin effect drives half the current out into it. At low  
frequency this does not happen.

ST