Homebrew PCBs

Have we really given the Scratch and Etch idea a chance? The more I think
about it, the more it makes sense. Really cheap, fast, use just about
anything that can mark on a surface mechanically, (e.g. plotter with a
needle in place of the pen, dot matrix printers, regular CNC with no concern
for wearing out cutting heads, etc...). 

I'll bet that if you spray standard black paint on a blank PCB, wait until
it is just tacky, then run it through your device you will have a really
nice, sharp line.

Here is another thought: We are killing our selves trying to get something
with resist qualities to work in an inkjet. We know that there are water and
oil based inks. Why not just print on a PCB blank with what ever you have,
let it dry, then spray it with a paint of the opposite base? The paint will
"boil" away from the areas that are coated. Wait for the paint to dry, wash
away the inkjet ink, then etch.

Are we discarding Scratch & Etch just because the guy who thought of it is a
prick?

---
James.

Hi. I use Scratch-n-Etch as my only method of board manufacture. I really
like it and it works OK for what I need it to. I use Machinists Blue as the
resist and the carbide point to a metal scratcher pen thing (from Home
Depot) in an HP plotter.

Just out of curiosity, who is the person responsible for thinking up this
method? (I heard about it from a friend in my robotics club. And he's a nice
guy.0

*Brian

-----Original Message-----
From: James M Newton [mailto:jamesmichaelnewton@...] 
Sent: Friday, May 14, 2004 2:57 PM
To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Given Scratch & Etch a chance?


Have we really given the Scratch and Etch idea a chance? The more I think
about it, the more it makes sense. Really cheap, fast, use just about
anything that can mark on a surface mechanically, (e.g. plotter with a
needle in place of the pen, dot matrix printers, regular CNC with no concern
for wearing out cutting heads, etc...). 

I'll bet that if you spray standard black paint on a blank PCB, wait until
it is just tacky, then run it through your device you will have a really
nice, sharp line.

Here is another thought: We are killing our selves trying to get something
with resist qualities to work in an inkjet. We know that there are water and
oil based inks. Why not just print on a PCB blank with what ever you have,
let it dry, then spray it with a paint of the opposite base? The paint will
"boil" away from the areas that are coated. Wait for the paint to dry, wash
away the inkjet ink, then etch.

Are we discarding Scratch & Etch just because the guy who thought of it is a
prick?

---
James.

On Fri, 14 May 2004 15:24:08 -0500, Brian Schmalz <brian.s@...> 
wrote:

> Hi. I use Scratch-n-Etch as my only method of board manufacture. I really
> like it and it works OK for what I need it to. I use Machinists Blue as 
> the
> resist and the carbide point to a metal scratcher pen thing (from Home
> Depot) in an HP plotter.
>
> Just out of curiosity, who is the person responsible for thinking up this
> method? (I heard about it from a friend in my robotics club. And he's a 
> nice
> guy.0
>
> *Brian
>


I think there are certain limitations to scratch and etch.
They are very similar to the limitations you get with milling PCBs.

There is a difference between milling the isolation, or printing the 
tracks.

It is a good idea if you can live with the limitations. I think it is 
better
than plotting a positive image (because you need no fill and no applying 
of ink).

I doubt it works with dot matrix printers.

ST

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Brian Schmalz <brian.s@l...> wrote:
> Hi. I use Scratch-n-Etch as my only method of board manufacture. I
really
> like it and it works OK for what I need it to. I use Machinists Blue
as the
> resist and the carbide point to a metal scratcher pen thing (from Home
> Depot) in an HP plotter.
> 
> Just out of curiosity, who is the person responsible for thinking up
this
> method? (I heard about it from a friend in my robotics club. And
he's a nice
> guy.0
> 
> *Brian

I have had it with used laser printers, so Scratch N Etch is my next
thing. I've already modified a plotter pen (HP plotter) and tested it
running the plotter "manually".

John Kleinbauer thought of it, and I think he's a nice guy, too.

Steve

> 
> John Kleinbauer thought of it, and I think he's a nice guy, too.
> 
> Steve

Thanks Steve,
             It may be a good idea to spring load the tip of the
scriber. I got some more ideas on Scratch and Etch I want to try after
I given up on the new controller I have been working on and off for
two years. I did finish the Hawk Student Mill. With help from someone
else I got my quite spindle designed and working. No more screeming
Dremel. With all the customer support Emails I have less and less time
to do new R&D.

     Oh yea! The reason for the nasty messages on my website is to
prevent unnecssary Emails. I get 100 Emails a day. 90 percent have
nothing to do with what I sell. Tons of people asking me what I think.
The average Email takes me 10 minutes to answer. Do the math! I also
run a private conference. So before you call other people names, show
us what you have done for someone other than yourself!   


                                                   John

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "crankorgan" <john@k...> wrote:
> > 
> > John Kleinbauer thought of it, and I think he's a nice guy, too.
> > 
> > Steve
> 
> Thanks Steve,
>              It may be a good idea to spring load the tip of the
> scriber. I got some more ideas on Scratch and Etch I want to try after
> I given up on the new controller I have been working on and off for
> two years. I did finish the Hawk Student Mill. With help from someone
> else I got my quite spindle designed and working. No more screeming
> Dremel. With all the customer support Emails I have less and less time
> to do new R&D.

Once I get time to play with it more, I may try a spring if I'm not
getting good results. My first attempt just has a bunch of lead shot
poured into the empty space in the pen to increase the pressure.
Running the plotter with the front panel buttons, it seems to be adequate.

>      Oh yea! The reason for the nasty messages on my website is to
> prevent unnecssary Emails. I get 100 Emails a day. 90 percent have
> nothing to do with what I sell. Tons of people asking me what I think.
> The average Email takes me 10 minutes to answer. Do the math! I also
> run a private conference. So before you call other people names, show
> us what you have done for someone other than yourself!   

Rock on. I get over 100 spam a day plus legit emails, and have to at
least scan every blasted email on the 13 lists I own or moderate to
make sure no one spams or starts a fight.

Steve