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Plated through holes - sort of

Plated through holes - sort of

2010-12-24 by davesage12@rogers.com

I haven't tried this but.. I recently had some experience with the solder paste used for surface mount chips. I'd never used it before but I noticed some very useful actions it has.
 I was wondering if the paste was injected (using the syrings it comes in) into holes where you want a connection top and bottom making sure a bit gets onto the copper rings on top and bottom of the board if, when heated - perhaps with a heat gun so that the paste will not be attracted by a soldering iron - if the solder paste might melt in place, connect the top and bottom, and stay in place by capillary action while molten until it cools.

 I've always just soldered small wires into the vias or made sure that legs requiring through connection are soldered both sides but it's a real pain.

If this works - remember you heard it here :-)

Sage

Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Plated through holes - sort of

2010-12-24 by Jan Kok

The solder paste technique might work, especially with some types of
lead-free solder. Leaded solder has very high surface tension which
makes it not stick to non-metals, but some types of unleaded solder
sticks to non-metals.

But, someone figured out a way to use inexpensive conductive glue to
get "plated" through holes. Check this out:
http://www.pulsarprofx.com/pcbfx/main_site/pages/tech_support/plated_thru_holes/plated-thru_holes.html

PulsarProFX also sells some toner transfer paper and 1/32 inch thick
copper clad board, which looks very good for one-off prototype boards.

Another recent thread gives some clues about how to drill small holes
easily and accurately without too much expense.

I've been lurking for years and not been building my own boards
because of the perceived hassles and start-up expenses of doing
reasonably dense double-sided boards, but these recent developments
have got me very excited. I'm tempted to give it a try!

Cheers,
- Jan


On Fri, Dec 24, 2010 at 8:48 AM, davesage12@...
<davesage12@...m> wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> I haven't tried this but.. I recently had some experience with the solder paste used for surface mount chips. I'd never used it before but I noticed some very useful actions it has.
>  I was wondering if the paste was injected (using the syrings it comes in) into holes where you want a connection top and bottom making sure a bit gets onto the copper rings on top and bottom of the board if, when heated - perhaps with a heat gun so that the paste will not be attracted by a soldering iron - if the solder paste might melt in place, connect the top and bottom, and stay in place by capillary action while molten until it cools.
>
>  I've always just soldered small wires into the vias or made sure that legs requiring through connection are soldered both sides but it's a real pain.
>
> If this works - remember you heard it here :-)
>
> Sage
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and Photos:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>

Re: Plated through holes - sort of

2010-12-25 by davesage12@rogers.com

Well, maybe, but I don't know where the solder is going to go. With a portion of it attached to copper on both sides of the board I would assume the column in the hole would stay put. Maybe not.
 I guess I'll have to give it a try. I don't have any reason to do that at the moment. Maybe someone with aboard on the go will get to it before me.

PS> How do I reply to a message without my full email address showing up. I see a warning to that effect but I don't see any way to avoid it.

Sage
>

Re: Plated through holes - sort of

2010-12-25 by drsage2007

Ok, curiosity got the better of me and I had to try it. You were correct. The capiliary action is stronger from the solder on either side of the board and the solder is pulled up to a bigger bump on either side rather than staying in the hole. Oh well. Interesting.

Sage


--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "davesage12@..." <davesage12@...> wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
>
> 
> Well, maybe, but I don't know where the solder is going to go. With a portion of it attached to copper on both sides of the board I would assume the column in the hole would stay put. Maybe not.
>  I guess I'll have to give it a try. I don't have any reason to do that at the moment. Maybe someone with aboard on the go will get to it before me.
> 
> PS> How do I reply to a message without my full email address showing up. I see a warning to that effect but I don't see any way to avoid it.
> 
> Sage
> >
>

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