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2005-10-26 by Richard
www.maplin.co.uk have one : order code N53BY for GBP �39-99 So do www.circuitspecialists.com for the same amount in $ USD ! This is exactly same model, except for the supply voltage. The price difference is unbelievable.. Has anyone purchased an ET20 from another supplier in the UK ? Thanks - Richard
2005-10-26 by Andy Rutter
Richard wrote:
>www.maplin.co.uk have one : order code N53BY for GBP \ufffd39-99
>
>So do www.circuitspecialists.com for the same amount in $ USD !
>
>
US$ = UK\ufffd is not too bad. Allow 10US$ for shipping (low estimate
considering the size/weight)...
39.95 + 10 = US$49.95 = \ufffd29.38 (1.7 exch rate) + VAT = \ufffd34.52
So, you are going to save around \ufffd5 by purchasing from the US (even
less if they catch you for import duty) - not worth it.
--
Andy>This is exactly same model, except for the supply voltage. > >The price difference is unbelievable.. > >Has anyone purchased an ET20 from another supplier in the UK ? > > >Thanks - Richard > > > > > > > > > > > > > >Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and Photos: >http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs > >If Files or Photos are running short of space, post them here: >http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs_Archives/ >Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > >
2005-10-27 by cristian
At 01:25 AM 10/27/2005, you wrote: >www.maplin.co.uk have one : order code N53BY for GBP £39-99 > >So do www.circuitspecialists.com for the same amount in $ USD ! > >This is exactly same model, except for the supply voltage. > >The price difference is unbelievable.. Every US price in USD is 'converted' in UK to the same figure in GBP. You have to know that. Cristian
2005-10-27 by Richard
Thanks Andy & Cristan - Yes, agreed, stung by £10+ import duty does sort of make the UK purchase option the best buy all round :) No, I didn't realise about the $1=£1 'conversion' - unfair, I'm sure you agree.... so much for foreign exchange rates. Richard --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, cristian <cristianbip@b...> wrote:
> > At 01:25 AM 10/27/2005, you wrote: > >www.maplin.co.uk have one : order code N53BY for GBP £39-99 > > > >So do www.circuitspecialists.com for the same amount in $ USD ! > > > >This is exactly same model, except for the supply voltage. > > > >The price difference is unbelievable.. > > Every US price in USD is 'converted' in UK to the same figure in GBP. > You have to know that. > Cristian >
2005-10-27 by Blue
Hi, It isn't the exchange rates that are a problem it is customs duty and VAT @ 17.5% then add in the postage. I have bought a lot from the States and if it is under about $50 and sent from a friend they usually let it through. Regards, Terry Thanks Andy & Cristan - Yes, agreed, stung by \ufffd10+ import duty does sort of make the UK purchase option the best buy all round :) No, I didn't realise about the $1=\ufffd1 'conversion' - unfair, I'm sure you agree.... so much for foreign exchange rates. Richard --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, cristian <cristianbip@b...> wrote: > > At 01:25 AM 10/27/2005, you wrote: > >www.maplin.co.uk have one : order code N53BY for GBP \ufffd39-99 > > > >So do www.circuitspecialists.com for the same amount in $ USD ! > > > >This is exactly same model, except for the supply voltage. > > > >The price difference is unbelievable.. > > Every US price in USD is 'converted' in UK to the same figure in GBP. > You have to know that. > Cristian > Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and Photos: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs If Files or Photos are running short of space, post them here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs_Archives/ Yahoo! Groups Links -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.361 / Virus Database: 267.12.5/149 - Release Date: 25/10/05
2005-10-27 by Chris Horne
The problem with this tank is not just the price... :-( I bought one a few weeks ago and was very disappointed.. I ordered online and first off the heater was broken.. the packaging was whlly inadequate. I returned it and was still disappointed when the replacement came. The tank itself is fine, the air pump is fine, but the heater was obviously substituted with a unit designed for aquariums ... although it is adjustable, it will not adjust to the 40 degrees celsius needed for efficient etching. In fact 33 was the maximum! Anyone who has etched boards in quantity will tell you that it will be considerably slower. The manufacturer of the tank is Velleman and I checked their site for this product and the original heater IS supposed to be a 40 degree type. In the end I rooked around in my shed and came up with a heater for beer that can be adjusted to 40. I phoned Maplin and spoke to customer servives and their reply was to the effect that nowhere on the advertisement does it state that the tank heats the fluid to 40 degrees. I tried to enter a review of the item on their website but for sme reason, it seems to have been censored out ! I wonder why ! Dont get me wrong, I generally applaud Maplin for their service and range, they are a useful supplier when the normal suppliers haven't got stock etc. but in this case, they are just plain wrong. If you want to etch boards in any sensible time, you will have to buy a different heater... Chris (-=Spiyda=-) (and here ends the rant for the day !) --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Richard" <Richard@T...> wrote:
> > www.maplin.co.uk have one : order code N53BY for GBP £39-99 > > So do www.circuitspecialists.com for the same amount in $ USD ! > > This is exactly same model, except for the supply voltage. > > The price difference is unbelievable.. > > Has anyone purchased an ET20 from another supplier in the UK ? > > > Thanks - Richard >
2005-10-27 by Richard
Hi Chris Thanks for useful info, especially interesting to know that the manufacturer of these units is Velleman. I've read about these arriving with broken heaters elswehere, one individual having to return it 4 times, until he got one that wasn't smashed... As for the temperature, the website here : http://computronics.com.au/kinsten/et/ (Australian), claims a heater temperature for both the ET10 & ET20 models of 60C - way higher than your measured 33C ! - might be worth checking out what Velleman themselves have to say about this - spec sheet etc... Maplin : yeah, they are pretty good, but still pack everything possible into 'jiffy' bags, (if they can find one big enough).. Packing is certainly NOT their strong point, forgive the pun ;) As for refusing to post your comments, I'm not at all suprised. Richard --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Chris Horne" <chris@s...> wrote:
> > The problem with this tank is not just the price... :-( > > I bought one a few weeks ago and was very disappointed.. > > I ordered online and first off the heater was broken.. > the packaging was whlly inadequate. > > I returned it and was still disappointed when the replacement came. > > The tank itself is fine, the air pump is fine, but the heater was > obviously substituted with a unit designed for aquariums ... > although it is adjustable, it will not adjust to the 40 degrees > celsius needed for efficient etching. In fact 33 was the maximum! > > Anyone who has etched boards in quantity will tell you that it will > be considerably slower. > > The manufacturer of the tank is Velleman and I checked their site > for this product and the original heater IS supposed to be a 40 > degree type. > > In the end I rooked around in my shed and came up with a heater for > beer that can be adjusted to 40. > > I phoned Maplin and spoke to customer servives and their reply was > to the effect that nowhere on the advertisement does it state that > the tank heats the fluid to 40 degrees. > > I tried to enter a review of the item on their website but for sme > reason, it seems to have been censored out ! > > I wonder why ! > > Dont get me wrong, I generally applaud Maplin for their service and > range, they are a useful supplier when the normal suppliers haven't > got stock etc. but in this case, they are just plain wrong. > > If you want to etch boards in any sensible time, you will have to > buy a different heater... > > Chris (-=Spiyda=-) (and here ends the rant for the day !)
2005-10-27 by lcdpublishing
So far, my cheapo homemade bubbler tank is working pretty good. Don't know the total cost of everything but this is what it is... A tupperware container I got from Walmart - about $2.00, Holds about an 8" square board. An aquaium pump, hose, and a bubbler stone (?) - about $7.00 at Meijer (something like a walmart). What I like - it's cheap. What I don't like, the bubbler stones. I can't seem to get them to stay on the bottom where I want them. I am going to, when I have time, empty the tank of Ferric Chloride, and silicone the stones to the bottom of the tank and see if that holds them where I want them. I don't use a heater as I am 96.37% sure someone told me not too, so I don't. I have not etched a lot of boards, about 15 or so, so please take my comments for what they are worth :-) Chris
2005-10-27 by Chris Horne
The heater got me really hot under the collar ! (lol) I now have to eat at least a little humble pie (I'm used to it.. 25 years of marriage !) This relates to the original hater supplied with the kit marked "BOYU aquarium heater" I was so annoyed with the heater, I just took the original to bits and It CAN be altered to get the temperature range.. so the problem may not be as bad as I thought.. If anyone else buys one.. here is what to do ! gently prize the plastic top off along the centre line of the heater, it is a push fit. turn the temperature adjustment up to full eg with the legend "32" visible. remove the screw that holds the thumbwheel onto the shaft cut off the stop on the back of the thumbwheel with a knife ! refit the thumbwheel onto the shaft in the same position as it came off ! press the cover back into position ! You now have a heater that will go up to 40 degrees or more.. just have to guess the position f the wheel.. I used a pyrometer to check the temperature and the scale seems pretty linear.. Chris (-=Spiyda=-) --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Richard" <Richard@T...> wrote: > > Hi Chris > > Thanks for useful info, especially interesting to know that the > manufacturer of these units is Velleman. > > I've read about these arriving with broken heaters elswehere, one > individual having to return it 4 times, until he got one that wasn't > smashed... > > As for the temperature, the website here : > http://computronics.com.au/kinsten/et/ (Australian), claims a heater > temperature for both the ET10 & ET20 models of 60C - way higher than > your measured 33C ! - might be worth checking out what Velleman > themselves have to say about this - spec sheet etc... > > Maplin : yeah, they are pretty good, but still pack everything > possible into 'jiffy' bags, (if they can find one big enough).. > Packing is certainly NOT their strong point, forgive the pun ;) > As for refusing to post your comments, I'm not at all suprised. > > Richard > > > > --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Chris Horne" <chris@s...> > wrote: > > > > The problem with this tank is not just the price... :-( > > > > I bought one a few weeks ago and was very disappointed.. > > > > I ordered online and first off the heater was broken.. > > the packaging was whlly inadequate. > > > > I returned it and was still disappointed when the replacement came. > > > > The tank itself is fine, the air pump is fine, but the heater was > > obviously substituted with a unit designed for aquariums ... > > although it is adjustable, it will not adjust to the 40 degrees > > celsius needed for efficient etching. In fact 33 was the maximum! > > > > Anyone who has etched boards in quantity will tell you that it will > > be considerably slower. > > > > The manufacturer of the tank is Velleman and I checked their site > > for this product and the original heater IS supposed to be a 40 > > degree type. > > > > In the end I rooked around in my shed and came up with a heater for > > beer that can be adjusted to 40. > > > > I phoned Maplin and spoke to customer servives and their reply was > > to the effect that nowhere on the advertisement does it state that > > the tank heats the fluid to 40 degrees. > > > > I tried to enter a review of the item on their website but for sme > > reason, it seems to have been censored out ! > > > > I wonder why ! > > > > Dont get me wrong, I generally applaud Maplin for their service and > > range, they are a useful supplier when the normal suppliers haven't > > got stock etc. but in this case, they are just plain wrong. > > > > If you want to etch boards in any sensible time, you will have to
> > buy a different heater... > > > > Chris (-=Spiyda=-) (and here ends the rant for the day !) >
2005-10-27 by Chris Horne
A heater really is worth it.. 40 degrees Celcius or about 107 degrees Fahrenheit. In the ET20 I can put two single sided boards back to back and they will etch in less than 5 minutes.. and the time is consistent so that I don't have to watch the board closely each time.. (I tend to do 10 or 20 boards each session) It is particularly valuable when the solution gets a bit tired... it seems to be usable for longer.. I actually run my tank sitting in the kitchen sink, and I use press- n-peel etch resist ironed on.. The tank etches them faster than I can prepare and iron on the film.. previously I was waiting for the board to etch for up to 10 minutes after I had prepared the next pair of boards.. I actually prefer the ET20 to the old three tank system I used to use... since i no longer use a developer, i only need one tank and a tap to rinse... it is easier cleaner and takes up less space. re holding down the bubble block... you could try hot glueing a strip of stainless steel to the bottom I haven't tried it but would be interested in the result (I checked a bit of SS in my etch solution and it looked unaffected) Chris (-=Spiyda=-) --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "lcdpublishing" <lcdpublishing@y...> wrote: > > So far, my cheapo homemade bubbler tank is working pretty good. > Don't know the total cost of everything but this is what it is... > > A tupperware container I got from Walmart - about $2.00, Holds about > an 8" square board. > > An aquaium pump, hose, and a bubbler stone (?) - about $7.00 at > Meijer (something like a walmart). > > What I like - it's cheap. > > What I don't like, the bubbler stones. I can't seem to get them to > stay on the bottom where I want them. I am going to, when I have > time, empty the tank of Ferric Chloride, and silicone the stones to > the bottom of the tank and see if that holds them where I want them. > > I don't use a heater as I am 96.37% sure someone told me not too, so
> I don't. I have not etched a lot of boards, about 15 or so, so > please take my comments for what they are worth :-) > > Chris >
2005-10-28 by lists
In article <djovpd+b4f0@...>, Richard <Richard@....co.uk> wrote: > www.maplin.co.uk have one : order code N53BY for GBP £39-99 > So do www.circuitspecialists.com for the same amount in $ USD ! > This is exactly same model, except for the supply voltage. > The price difference is unbelievable.. Another example of "rip-off" Britain I'm afraid