Homebrew PCBs

On Mon, 15 Oct 2007 15:13:53 -0700 (PDT), you wrote:

>Thanks for the info. I think the stuff I used in 1997
>was DATAK. But I cannot be sure. I plan to try the MG
>Chemicals stuff next mont. I can purchase everyting
>here locally except the 1/32 board stock. The next
>time I am at the dealer i will see if I can con him
>into stocking the 1/32 material also.
>
>I am trying to produce a LOW COST tracking transmitter
>for freeflight model airplanes and model rockets. I
>cannot afford the cost of a normally produced PCB. The
>only option right now is a home-made PCB. The total
>cost of the transmitter has to be under $20.
>
>And since I am retired (not by choice) I have more
>time than money!

I can understand that.

Cost of etchant, 50 cents
cost of paper for really small board 1.50
cost of green foil and white foil for really small board  30 cents

In a sense, you can produce a double sided board for about 2.30 *if*
you can get the foil sides, and the silkscreen on one piece of paper,
which is about 4 by 3 inches total board size.

That's assuming pulsar paper which is roughly 15 dollars per 10
sheets.  Anything else you might use that's cheaper runs the price
down even more.

Figuring a transparency at 1.00 per sheet, and the presensitized board
at 5.00 for a 6 * 8 sheet (I was able to get ss sensitized at this
price, DS was probably more). then you are talking getting at least
two boards out of this for about a break even price.

All depends, though.

Harvey

>
>Bob Macklin
>Seattle, Wa.