Homebrew PCBs

So much of this depends on the electronics in the microwave oven as well.

Putting large pieces of metals in a microwave tends to create standing 
waves, which if the microwave isn't designed to handle it might destroy 
the microwave.  Or, one size PCB may have no problems, but another is 
just the right size for resonance.

I wouldn't do this on a bad bet.  It's just so much easier to put the 
whole thing into a plastic container and float the container in a hot 
water bath.

And, I certainly wouldn't suggest that a newbie try this for fear of 
having the dickens sued out of me if it causes problems or injury.

If you "gas mask" is one of the filter types, chances are it does 
nothing for the fumes.  You'd have to have an activated charcoal filter 
to do any good and those things absorb even when you aren't wearing 
them, meaning that if you don't replace the carbon frequently, you don't 
really have a mask.  Your fumes are molecular in size and will only be 
taken out with chemical filtration such as activated charcoal.

I say this only to try to get the seriousness of what I see are the 
consequences.  If you really do want to be around a while, this is a 
really bad idea for oh, so many reasons.

kevinmwolf@... wrote:
> Now- I thought I might share my insights on microwaving FeCl.. I no longer use FeCl for obvious reasons. But when I did, I would etch my boards in a shallow pyrex dish. I had great success with microwaving the entire setup- dish, board and all in the microwave. No sparks, fires or splashes. Usually cooked for ~1 min. to get reasonably hot. One thing to watch out for is the caustic gas (esp. when opening micro door)- I personally use a 3M gas mask from home depot whenever I etch to avoid lung injury (hey- I'm 19- I plan to live for a while :)
> -k
>