Homebrew PCBs

This worked very well for my first try.  I purchased the solder paste 
from Mcmaster as specified by Derek.  I thined it a little bit too 
much with water though, so be careful there. 

I used a glue brush (you folks probably call them acid brushes) to 
flow out the paste.  Hit it with the heat gun moving around pretty 
slowly.  At first I couldn't see anything happening so I held the gun 
stationary too long which turned the board a tint of brown.  To help 
see what is going on, I placed a light on the right side of the board, 
heat gun over the board, and looked from the left side.  After doing 
this I could see the solder melting and joining together on the traces.

I coated and heated about 4 or 5 times and I think I got 99% coverage 
on the traces.  After washing thoroughly, I polished it with 
scotchbright and it looks pretty good.

So, from a newbie point of view, it isn't that difficult to do.  Also, 
one more very interesting thing I noticed.  You know that smell of a 
new car, well, if you are using the same solder paste as I did, let me 
know if you think you have a new car there :-)  Very unusual, it 
really smelt like a new car - I just wish I could afford one!

Chris