Homebrew PCBs

trevwhite74 wrote:
> That process looked fantastic. It appeared that the chemistry was safe
> enough and he did not seem to mind washing it all down the sink
> afterwards. Be great to find out more about that process. I wonder
> what the plating chemistry is. 


I've looked at the different PTH methods used in industry, and I haven't 
seen anything like that. The PCB started out as double sided etched 
traces without holes. It was covered in some lacquer probably to mask 
the traces and PCB from the subsequent electroless step. The holes were 
then drilled exposing the epoxy laminate in holes walls.
A series of three chemicals were applied. Possibly the lacquer coating 
on the surface inhibits the electroless seed layer from forming. I 
assume the bubble bath at the end was the actual electroless copper , 
but these are normally deep blue.

If the video is genuine, then yes it very interesting. I'm a little 
suspicious though. If true, the hole plating thickness would be no more 
than a micron. People normally electroplate their holes.