Homebrew PCBs

I just stumbled onto a web site ( 
http://www3.telus.net/chemelec/Projects/Etching/Etching.htm ) that uses 
a reverse polarity electro plating to etch a PCB. He says the electro 
etching will remove most, but not all, of the bare copper. So he uses 
ferric chloride to etch the last bit of copper. I don't see any 
difference in electro etching and ferric chloride etching but I have 
never done the electro etching so have no experience as to the end 
results. Has anyone here any pros or cons to using the electro etch 
except for the extra final step of chemical etching?.
Jim KI6MZ

The author of that article states:

"As I stated above, I have been using this process for over 25 years
but in that time I have never seen this process used anywhere else.
I don't know why,.."

The reason is simple: ¿waste time and resources to partial etch a part, and then re-etch again to finish the job? PCB shops look for doing the right stuff, the first time.

If you want to etch a double-sided PCB mid-size like 12x12 inches, or even a larger panel in only a few minutes (typical 3 or 5), you need to build a spray etching machine. Those are used in professional PCB shops around the world, and I am wondering why are so many requests and complaints about tips and information looking for the "perfect etching", when all you need is to build a DIY spray etch.