Homebrew PCBs

On Thu, 10 Feb 2005 14:37:22 +0000, lez <lez.briddon@...> wrote:

>
> I still use FeCl, is there something cheaper / better for a TT board  
> method?
> (uk reader)


Of course, CuCl is cheaper, and much better as it doesn't stop working  
some day, you can see progress through it, and it doesn't stain that bad  
(well, you don't want it on your clotes anyway, but the tools and working  
surfaces look better).


It is made from HCl and H202 (muriatic acid and hydrogen peroxyde).

To keep it operating one must add tiny amonts of H2O2 and sometimes HCl,  
while the excess liquid must be removed (it keeps growing slowly because  
you add stuff).

I keep it in a glass tank with a well closing lid, where i can just pop in  
a board whenever i want, not mess with different containers and  
storage/useage tanks etc, etc. The only thing i have to do is put it in a  
plastic container after etching (to catch drops) and carry it to the sink  
to rinse. I have made the PCB holder in such a way that it is "remote  
controlled" from the clean side of the holder, which means i don't even  
need gloves because i never come into contact with the etchant. (But  
goggles are still required)

You can find CuCl information in the links section, but before you decide  
to go that route make sure to discuss it here, some of those pages suggest  
stuff you don't need and make it seem overly complicated and expensive.

ST