Homebrew PCBs

You can't use masking with plating throughholes, since the holes are  
non-metallic.
So you must plate everything (inclusing the board edges) with a method  
that works on non-conductive things (hole wall activator). Then you can  
mask and etch.

You can perhaps mask after the holes are activated or plated with a thin  
layer, i dunno.

ST


On Thu, 12 Jan 2006 00:46:39 +0100, Mike Young <mikewhy@...>  
wrote:

> You can mask with a positive image on negative resist if you're plating  
> with
> tin or tin/lead. The tin plating will then be the resist for etching. For
> through holes, you'll plate with copper before plating with tin. Masking
> before plating copper reduces the anode material used, and also doesn't
> waste the etchant required to remove it.
>
> This is theory only, since I haven't tried plating yet.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Stefan Trethan" <stefan_trethan@...>
> To: <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 2:57 PM
> Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Copper plating material(s) for a  
> neophyte -
> tinning brush
>
>
>> On Wed, 11 Jan 2006 21:38:38 +0100, Mike Phillips  
>> <mikep_95133@...>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Is it possible to plate thru holes on a pcb? How would you mask off
>>>
>>> what you don't want plated?
>>>
>>>
>>> Mike
>>
>>
>> you don't. You plate everything and etch afterwards.
>>
>> ST
>>
>>
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>
>
>
> Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and  
> Photos:
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>
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> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs_Archives/
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
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