Homebrew PCBs

I just wanted to share my recent success and lessons learned.  I need
to make my first PCB which takes a passive RFID reader IC and
integrates it  with a PIC, MAX232 and several LEDs and required
components.

Using Eagle for my design, I layed out my schematic and then went
about making the PCB.

First lesson learned...Some ICs aren't designed for single sided
boards...like the MAX232 for example...Pins 1 and 3 connect together
with a capacitor and pin 2 needs to go to another cap and then to VCC.
 In a future design, I might switch to another MAX chip that has the
caps built in...the IC might be a little more expensive, but you will
save money in the caps and pain of double sided board.

After finding a decent layout, I realized that needed to go 2 sided as
I had about 4 traces that I couldn't route on one side and 2 of those
I couldn't even jumper easily.  So I routed those traces on the front
side...not a big worry as the clad board I am using is 2 sided anyways.

Sooo...I went out and go the Staples Photo Basic paper as everyone
says that is the best (even though I have some hammermill glossy
sitting here, but it isn't the stuff that everyone says you should
use).  Came home and started printing...well my toner cartridge was
low/old as this printer had been sitting in the closet for about 6
months...so back to staples for some "FRESH" toner.  Printed out my
design and looks great.

The transfer went pretty smooth...except:

Lesson 2...Don't forget to clean the board.  Well I did forget so I
had to clean it all off and start over.  2nd time, I don't think I
even cleaned it enough...next time it is getting the FULL treatment.

Etching was pretty simple, I did use Ferric Chloride as I wanted
something simple for my first try, but will probably switch to the
Muriatic/Peroxid cocktail later.

Drilling was pretty smooth, used a drywall screw and hammer to tap an
indention where the hole was to be drilled and a 1/32 drill bit to
drill it out with my dremel.

Assembly...here's where I learned lesson #3...double sided boards
without through plating are a pain to solder.  I had to apply solder
to the lead between the component and the pad, keep it hot and then
push the component down to seat nicely.  I have now reworked my design
and put an extra VIA and small bottom side trace near the component so
i can just solder a wire (using cut off leads) through the board to
pass the signal.

Anyways...hopefully someone will learn something from this post.  I
have been looking at doing boards like this for years, but this is my
first try.  I couldn't have done it without the information on this
list and a few other places on the Internet.

Regards,
Curtis