Homebrew PCBs

Im interested .... in the aq3000 resist ink ...though it might go bad before I get a printer working for direct resist ..

Mike KC7NOA 

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Larry Battraw <lbattraw@...> wrote:
>
> Hi All,
> 
> I've been lurking on this list for some time and seen a lot of different
> takes on making PCBs, whether it's toner-transfer, direct-print via
> last/inkjet, or UV-exposed resist (And a few stranger ideas).  One thing I
> have noticed is that it is sometimes difficult or impossible to obtain the
> raw materials for our projects.  In some cases (Dry film resists) it either
> takes forever (2 weeks to over a 3 months!) to get some from Hong Kong or
> the Czech Republic (via eBay), or you have to buy a lot at one time (Think'n
> Tinker 100-foot rolls for example, at $150+ w/mandatory express shipping).
> There are exceptions, but finding them and having any idea of how "fresh"
> the film is (Which is important to get reasonable results) is problematic.
> A couple years ago a company called Genesis MT sold a great product by the
> name of AQ-3000 water-based photoresist.  It worked very well, was very
> reasonable for the amount you got for the price, and was available via
> eBay.  Recently I found they had been acquired by another "professional
> services"-type company that requires large, company purchases of anything
> (i.e. ask for a quote, and no way to buy electronically).  It is now
> impossible to get any of this great resist, the only water-based photoresist
> around.  I don't consider the VOC-based resists as viable for use due to
> health concerns.
> 
> What I propose is that we as a group of hobbyists provide our own materials,
> where some of us will volunteer to be a source for a particular material, in
> this case photo-imaging materials.  I know there has been a lot of
> experimentation with direct/transfer tech but for repeatable, high-quality
> boards you really can't beat photoresist-based boards.  I'm sure some people
> will differ with me but I've read too much about problems with board
> coatings, pre/post-heating, different inks (Sometimes very expensive), and
> the challenges modifying inkjet printers to be very interested, especially
> after I ruined a perfectly good printer trying it myself :-)
> 
> Naturally I am volunteering for the dry film photoresist, since I have
> already placed an order which should be here in a couple days.  I'd like to
> do the same for the Genesis AQ3000, although I have to find out the minimum
> order quantity (Apparently they make up a fresh batch for each order) and
> available payment methods.  I'd like to think that we can use enough of the
> purchased products to have them avoid going bad (Shelf life for AQ3000 is 6
> months, similar for dry-film).  I would suggest charging actual cost plus a
> small surcharge to cover gas and time spent (Maybe $3.00 per order?).  I
> want to make it possible for us to use high-quality products without a lot
> of delay or uncertainty/experimentation in regards to product quality.  The
> cost would include cost of postage plus mailing materials (Padded envelope
> or plastic bottle+box for AQ3000).  If it's popular enough, I could offer
> additional things like drill bits, PCB blanks, etc.
> 
> I am certainly not adverse to having someone else take all the "business"
> from me, as the whole point of this exercise is to provide the materials at
> near-cost, quickly.  However, since nobody else has suggested this (That I
> can remember) I figured I could at least start the process.  I have to add
> some disclaimers here: I reserve the right to ship within 2-3 business days
> of a prepaid order, and if there are unusual restrictions on shipping items
> there (i.e. countries that have export regulations for the USA) I also will
> not even try to ship an order.  Likewise, if I find out after the order has
> been placed it's going to be a lot of hassle to ship to I reserve the right
> to refuse/refund orders.  Ditto for people who piss me off, sorry, I just
> won't work with people who can't be polite.  If there are unusual
> circumstances like having a package refused and returned I also will charge
> a fee based on the time spent plus shipping/materials (Assuming the PCB
> materials can be re-used and are not damaged).  And finally, I reserve the
> right to halt the service at any time, refunding any outstanding orders.
> 
> This whole idea is an experiment in supply and demand and so I apologize for
> all the disclaimers.  I don't want to be sued or even given a bad reputation
> because I had a package returned from Elbonia after being opened and
> damaged, and the person is upset.
> 
> I apologize for the length of this email, but I'd like to gauge the interest
> levels (And potential orders) from people in the group and elsewhere.
> Please email me if you're interested, and what you would like to see
> offered.  I would probably accept PayPal (Yes, they aren't wonderful but
> they're big and fairly reliable) for payment.  Materials could either be
> ordered direct from me or I could post auctions on eBay, but I'm more
> interested in serving the community we have here rather than the entire
> world.  I have a day job and this is just a way to benefit a group of
> like-minded people, so it can't be too much of a hassle or I will need to
> either put a stop to it or raise prices.  It may be necessary to go the eBay
> route just to avoid having materials expire but I'd like to avoid it.  Let
> me know!
> 
> 
> Kind regards-
> Larry Battraw
> 
> 
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