Homebrew PCBs

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Steve" <alienrelics@...> wrote:
>
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "killerobot9000"
> <killerobot9000@> wrote:
> >
> > Hello,
> > 
> > I saw tons and tons of tutorials on how to make your own PCBs but they
> > are all shades of white/clear and don't look very professional. I was
> > wondering if anyone knows how to make green professional looking PCBs?
> > I googled around and found this product:
> > http://www.web-tronics.com/torefogpgr.html
> > Anyone know if this is what I need? Or is there an easier or maybe
> > cheaper way of making the PCBs green?
> 
> What you are talking about is called a Conformal Coating. It's a layer
> there to protect the board. Google for Conformal Coating.
> 
> That green stuff fromWeb-Tronics is something else entirely. That is
> for toner transfer, it only sticks to the toner, not the rest of the
> board.
> 
> > Also, if you need to make a large number of PCBs (say, 100 or so per
> > week) would it be cheaper/faster to make them yourself or order them
> > from a place for like $2-3 per sqr in?
> 
> I would think it would be faster, probably cheaper. Check the Links
> section, there are some that are quite inexpensive.
> 
> > Also, as a side note: This is basically the process of making a PCB?
> > Print the design onto photopaper, use iron to transfer ink onto
> > special copper board, use that chemical stuff to eat away all the
> > copper thats exposed then use alcohol to remove the ink. Then drill
> > some holes (unless its a SMD board. in which case you would make a
> > stencil and apply soldering paste or hand solder it.) Correct?
> 
> Correction/clarification: print with a Laser printer, use iron to
> transfer laser toner onto ordinary but freshly cleaned blank printed
> circuit board. Soak and peel paper (or other directions if you use
> something like the green film from Web-Tronics). Now etch in the
> etchant of your choice.
> 
> Inkjet ink does not work with toner transfer method. There is a way to
> use some inkjets to print directly onto the copper. Then you bake to
> cure the ink, and then etch. Only a few inks have been tested to work,
> curing seems quite critical with some. So far only Epson printers.
> 
> Steve Greenfield
>

Wow! Thanks for the fast replies!! This is by far the most active and
helpful group I had ever joined. Most of the time I don't get a reply
for weeks. Thanks a lot :) I am googling Conformal Coating right this
moment!

Wait... laser printers. hmm, arent those the big expensive ones used
in schools and businesses that have like $100 ink? Gunna look for some
inkjet tutorials also :D Wonder how hard it is to modify a inkjet
printer to print onto the boards.

Once again, thanks for the help :D You guys (and gals if any. chicks
making PCBs? awesome! =P) rock!
-killerobot9000