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Homebrew PCBs

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Drilling Pcb's

2004-08-28 by Nick

Thank you all for your responses.Most usefull.I liked the cam idea, 
i also experimented with a light from below through a pinhole which 
is drilled in place in a piece of laminex. As i move the pcb over 
the pinhole when im lined up, the light beam lights up the 
pad.Problem is the board tends to disperse the light.I sure would 
like to use CNC to mill the boards but this is what got me on to 
this group in the first place! Yes these boards are for a 
router/mill  LOL. I have never tried making a complex(to me)pcb 
before.So in the last few weeks I have learned how do toner transfer 
and driven my wife nuts ,cause she has access to photocopier at 
work .Problem is unless you have your own laser/copier it is hard to 
experiment.So not being allowed to adjust the settings of the 
photocopier is a major drawback.I was printing with our Epson inkjet 
onto Kodak presentation paper at 1440 Dpi and then this was used to 
photocopy onto various paper and transparancies.My results were good 
but not consistent.I also learned how difficult it is to line up 
transfers for double sided boards.I still reckon its a great cheap 
system and my kids have applied it to their craftwork.Enter Phase2.I 
bit the bullit and bought Kinsten presensitised PCB .  Also got the 
Jetstar Inkjet transparancies.I printed  at 1440 Dpi   I made 4 
copies 2 for the top 2 for the bottom.I stuck the ink side to the 
ink side lining them up perfectly.This also gave me a darker 
black.Then I used double sided tape to stick the top to the bottom 
leaving a pocket on one side.So 4 pieces alltogether shiny sides 
out.Then I slide board in and expose in front of fluro lights for 8 
minutes and develop.Not enough exposure on one side(I think).I etch 
the board ,one side good other side bad.So I etch longer.This pitted 
good side.Start again new board.Exposed in front of mercury 
vapourlight for 2 minutes.Developed excellent result!Etch again this 
time overcautiously and I only checked with my magnifying glass 
should have checked with my eyepiece,I had 7 short circuits!I 
cleaned it up.My third attempt turned out great.I'll try and post a 
pic. I realise you guys have been there done that.Also most of the 
credit goes to guys on this group and others.So back to 
drilling.Bye .

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