Homebrew PCBs

In a message dated 5/20/2004 12:48:12 AM Central Standard Time, 
stefan_trethan@... writes:
Not sure what is special about them.<< 
The ones I mean have a "grainy" (sand-like) interior with silicone grease all 
inside (to keep the Oxygen off the metal, once screwed-TIGHT).  Probably the 
PRICE is special, too!
I suspect the cable is no pure aluminum<<
It may have trace impurities, but I doubt ANY effort is made to alloy it to 
preclude this kind of electrolytic corrosion!

Bet it would be nice if alum. were easily solderable, so PCB's could be made 
with it instead of copper!  

Does anyone in here doing PCB's at home pretty-much strictly as a hobby do 
PTH?  Can this be done PRACTICALLY at home?  Then, tin-lead resist would be 
necessary for trace-etching.  How reliably could the conscientious mature 
home-tinker do tin-lead plating of a PC-pattern, and be SURE the plating did-good down 
in the holes?          Jan Rowland


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