Homebrew PCBs

On Sat, Jan 8, 2011 at 8:10 PM, Jan Kok <jan.kok.5y@...> wrote:
> An etching tank may not be necessary. See
> http://www.pulsarprofx.com/pcbfx/main_site/pages/tech_support/no_etching_tank/no_etching_tank.html

Just tried the brushing-with-sponge technique, with excellent results.
Got very well defined 10 mil trace/spaces on a one-sided board with
1/2 oz copper. There was even a 5-mil board outline that came out
pretty well (there were breaks in the outline due to poor toner
adhesion prior to etching).

I used less than a tablespoon of 10 year old FeCl3 from Radio Shack.
It took about 5 minutes to etch using in a cold (50 degrees F) garage.
Frank Miller of Pulsonix says that it takes 45 seconds if the etchant
is hot.

The poly sponge and latex gloves I used (from Ace Hardware) seems to
be unaffected by the etchant and reusable.

Given how well this process works, I feel no need for an etching tank!

Cheers,
- Jan