Homebrew PCBs

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Jim Miller" <jim@...> wrote:
>
> I know that placing metal in a microwave can produce "interesting" 
results.
> However is there any experience with a piece of copper in a cup of 
water?
> I'm speculating that the water may keep the copper from being the 
primary
> load on the microwave and also provide a cooling surface for the 
copper.
> 
> Just interested in heating a persulfate etching solution.
> 
> tnx
> jtm
> 

That is an interesting concept.  I usually use a Pyrex tray on the 
Propane fired stove.  I like my Ferric-Chloride at about 135 to 140 
degrees F when etching my PCBs.

All I can recommend is try it for a few seconds.  If you don't see 
lightning bolts streaking across the inside of the microwave, try it 
again for a bit longer time, gradually increasing the time until you 
see success, or lightning.

The thing about metal in a microwave is that, the metal represents a 
substantial load on the microwave tube - especially when the metal is 
in the shape of a ring.  So the size of the PCB will be very 
limited.  How limited will depend on the power rating if the 
microwave oven.

Carl W. Livingston, KC5OTL