Homebrew PCBs

On Mon, 2009-07-13 at 18:04 +1000, Adam Seychell wrote:

> Titanium is great stuff, but expensive. I made PCB holder too. Two 
> pieces of 6mm rod cut 30mm long. One end of each rod I hack saw a
> slot 
> about 20mm deep.

I think it's more common and better approach to use a 3 titanium rods
holder. The board is just pressed between the rods. The middle rod in
one side and the other two in the other board side. To press the board
you have a plastic piece with 3 holes where the rods are.  Moving the
plastic from the top to the board will press the board between the rods.
Very easy and efficient, simple to do and 5mm is enough to hold the
board. 

> Titanium won't work as an anode. All you'll do is build up an oxide 
> layer until it gets so thick, that the voltage required for
> electrolysis 
> will be > 50 volts. i.e you just make an electric heater.

There are platinum coated titanium anodes, the smaller ones are so
expensive. But i think even platinum won't last much years. So a hard
graphite rod from those used as drawing pencil should be the best try.
There is also the graphite rod inside bigger batteries, but disassembly
batteries it's not recommendable.

I think of stainless steel for cathode only. Is still a no do?

And the overall process it worth any try?