Homebrew PCBs

Hi. I use Scratch-n-Etch as my only method of board manufacture. I really
like it and it works OK for what I need it to. I use Machinists Blue as the
resist and the carbide point to a metal scratcher pen thing (from Home
Depot) in an HP plotter.

Just out of curiosity, who is the person responsible for thinking up this
method? (I heard about it from a friend in my robotics club. And he's a nice
guy.0

*Brian

-----Original Message-----
From: James M Newton [mailto:jamesmichaelnewton@...] 
Sent: Friday, May 14, 2004 2:57 PM
To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Given Scratch & Etch a chance?


Have we really given the Scratch and Etch idea a chance? The more I think
about it, the more it makes sense. Really cheap, fast, use just about
anything that can mark on a surface mechanically, (e.g. plotter with a
needle in place of the pen, dot matrix printers, regular CNC with no concern
for wearing out cutting heads, etc...). 

I'll bet that if you spray standard black paint on a blank PCB, wait until
it is just tacky, then run it through your device you will have a really
nice, sharp line.

Here is another thought: We are killing our selves trying to get something
with resist qualities to work in an inkjet. We know that there are water and
oil based inks. Why not just print on a PCB blank with what ever you have,
let it dry, then spray it with a paint of the opposite base? The paint will
"boil" away from the areas that are coated. Wait for the paint to dry, wash
away the inkjet ink, then etch.

Are we discarding Scratch & Etch just because the guy who thought of it is a
prick?

---
James.