Homebrew PCBs

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Robert Hedan <robert.hedan@...>
wrote:
>
> I gave up on the fancy etching machine and opted for plastic 
> containers and
> rubber gloves.  I don't make a lot of PCBs and my time is not of 
> much value
> right now so I can afford to etch manually.
> 
> I just put ferric chloride in a small plastic container and float it 
> in a
> larger plastic container of hot water.  I like being able to inspect 
> the PCB
> during the etching, a gentle 'wipe' with a soft scrub helps move 
> things
> along.
> 
> I'm just procrastinating on the part to recycle the ferric chloride, 
> most
> likely for as long as I have fresh FC in the bottle.
> 
> Robert
> :D

Same here. I use a 13 qt sweater box filled half full. A sheet of
acrylic with plastic tabs to 'hold' the pcb or brass sheet face down
in the etchant, with feet so that the top of the acrylic is just
underneath the surface of the etchant.

Make two feet shorter than the other so the board is slightly tilted
and any air bubbles run off.

Recycle: buy 40 volume peroxide, put etchant inside a heat-proof
container (a #2 plastic 5 or 2.5 gallon bucket) inside another
container (another bucket), add very slowly while stirring. 32 oz
peroxide per 2 gallons of etchant, divide quantity as needed. Watch
for foamup and overheating. Add a cup of pool acid every two or three
regenerations. Leave uncovered on a hot day to evaporate and
re-concentrate, not a 100% necessary step.

Strain etchant to make sure all contaminants are out (copper bits,
toner residue, etc) but only after regenerating, as the peroxide.