Homebrew PCBs

I started out with the light overhead but having it under the tub works better for me. Only when the copper is gone does the light come through. The bulb also warms the acid a bit. 

Rick

On Feb 12, 2013, at 5:43 PM, toddroberts2001@... wrote:

> In a message dated 2/12/2013 7:05:30 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
> rgsparber@... writes:
> 
> The reason that having the ferric chloride dark is an issue for me is that  
> I
> use a translucent tub that sits over a 200W incandescent bulb. I am able  to
> slowly slosh the liquid back and forth while looking at the board  being
> etched. As light shines through the copper free areas, I am able to  monitor
> the process.
> 
> Rick
> 
> Good point Rick. It sounds like you are trying to see up through the
> board from the bottom up.  Have you tried placing a bulb over top  of the
> etching tub?
> 
> I use one of those hand-held trouble lights and hold it directly over 
> my etching tray so I can see what is going on with the board
> and check it every few minutes.  Usually it is pretty easy for  me
> to see when the copper is etched off the board.  Not making the  etchant 
> level more than 
> an inch deep over the board helps also. But I guess when the etchant gets  
> too dark
> it can make it hard to see the board when it is submerged. The Ferric  
> Chloride
> is already pretty dark to begin with.
> 
> 73 Todd WD4NGG
> 
> 
> 
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