Homebrew PCBs

Okay, in answer to the questions people have asked:

The recipe was simple.  2:1 ratio of H2O2 to HCL.  The HCl was 20% concentration, in a toilet bowl cleaner called "The Works" that I purchased at WalMart for $0.94.  The H2O2 was also from WalMart, from the pharmaceuticals section.  Whatever they had...

The etchant works impossibly slow at first...threw in a sacrificial bit of copper wire, and let it dissolve all night.  Once it turned from blue to emerald green, it worked beautifully for 4 boards.  Took several hours to etch the boards.  It did, however, turn into an ugly olive green that needed to be refreshed with a capful of H2O2, 3/4 of the way through the process.

The paper was high gloss ad paper, with as little black printing on it as possible.  I used whatever I had lying around, "Family Circle" magazine, I believe.  The ads were full color glossy, and the paper was dreadfully cheap.

LASER printer is a Samsung...and no I've not been able to get the toner off.  It sticks that well.  Acetone doesn't touch it...don't know what's in their toner, but it did transfer very well.  I just set it to print extra-dark, and had more than enough present.

Even so I had issues with getting it to stick...that seems to be a learned skill.  I got better at it by board 3 and 4.

As to posting photos...I don't know how to upload photos to the group...any suggestions?

Thanks for all the kind words, guys.  But, remember, this is basically a one-off.  I do have a drill press, but when you're talking about runout on a regular press, a 0.7mm carbide bit is a delicate thing.  Mine would wreck it.  And, while I don't want to build my own press for a one-off,  I may end up doing it.  Got a short length of THK linear rail, and may just attach to that.

Chuck



--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Chuck" <c.knight@...> wrote:
>
> I just made my very first PCB at home!!!  Hooray!
> 
> http://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-to-build-CNC-Mill-Stepper-Motor-and-Driver-ci/
> I made the "Easy Stepper" board from Instructables, and could not easily get etchant out where I live, so I used the toilet bowl cleaner/peroxide mix.  Worked quite well, actually.
> 
> And, I did it as LASER toner transfer, using magazine paper.  Talk about low tech!
> 
> Apparently it really *is* possible to make boards, at home, and affordably.  Next step is going to be drilling them out.
> 
> I have 1/16" drill bits that would fit my drill press, or my Dremel...and I have a 0.7mm solid carbide bit that fits either as well.  My concern is runout and precision...carbide is very VERY brittle, and I have only one bit.
> 
> Any hints for a first timer?
> 
> THANKS!
> 
> Chuck
>