Homebrew PCBs

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, JanRwl@... wrote:
>
> In a message dated 6/30/2006 7:56:10 A.M. Central Daylight Time,  
> robert.hedan@... writes:
> 
> I'd even  go so far as scrapping this FeCl and buying another gallon 
> before 
> screwing  this up.<<
> And that'd PROBABLY be no more expensive than all the "stuff"  you'd 
> need to 
> "regenerate"!
> 
>

I don't know why this is turning into such a debate - yes, starting 
with cupric chloride would probably work better - but if you've 
already got the FeCl3 and don't mind, or have learned to control the 
mess, regenerating is much cheaper. A bottle of 40 volume H2O2 is $5 
from Sally Beauty Supply and will regenerate 2 gallons of etchant very 
easily. Do it outside, and slowly to keep the etchant from foaming 
over the edge of the container. I have not noticed any chlorine gas 
being released from it. It 'stings' a little if you get a whiff of 
it, but it doesn't produce huge gas clouds - I believe it is giving 
off hydrogen or oxygen so /don't/ do it indoors. The only problem I 
worry about is the heat produced during the process might melt the 
container its in. I originally had the etchant in a 5 gallon paint 
bucket (#2 Recycling symbol on the bottom). I eventually stacked the 
first bucket onto a second bucket just in case it starts to melt 
through, but after about two years of etching, it hasn't been an 
issue.