Homebrew PCBs

Hi to all.
I just used a modified stubby plotter pen to hold a steadler 
lumocolor pen (sold in maplins as etch resist pen) and I have plotted 
my first circuit ready for etching.
I bought a maplin etch starter kit (tray, ferric chloride, a pen & 
some pcbs) and gave the plotted circuit a quick etch...
It took about 10-20 minutes to etch (swishing cold etchant straight 
from the bottle in the tray).
I will try to upload an image of the etched PCB for everyong to see 
but sufficed to say the surface finish isn't great (lots'o pitting)
but I think this is because of the pen ink slightly dissolving during 
the etch (On my plot tests, I left the ink on the board overnight and 
coldklene had problems taking the ink off the day after...ideas 
anyone?).
Anyhow, I checked the board for continuity and it was fine. Under 3x 
magnification, it looked like terrible.
Oh, one problem...I forgot to buy some drill bits (DUH!)

Now, some help required: what type of containers can ferric chloride 
be safely kept in and used for etching...I am looking at using those 
glass preserve jars with the funny external locking mechanism and the 
rubber o-ring for holding etchant and boards. 
Basically, what type of seals (paper, rubber, fibre etc.) are ferric 
proof?

Roger, thanks for the guide to using the photo-resist spray but at 10 
quid a can, bit expensive for me at the moment...

regards, PK

On Wed, 02 Feb 2005 19:43:24 -0000, onenastyviper  
<oneNastyViper@...> wrote:

>
> Now, some help required: what type of containers can ferric chloride
> be safely kept in and used for etching...I am looking at using those
> glass preserve jars with the funny external locking mechanism and the
> rubber o-ring for holding etchant and boards.
> Basically, what type of seals (paper, rubber, fibre etc.) are ferric
> proof?


PE and PP bottles seem fine, glass too.
I haven't tried a rubber seal but i think it would be ok.
(tire rubber in CuCl is ok, that much i know).

ST

----- Original Message ----- 

From: "onenastyviper" <oneNastyViper@...>
To: <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 02, 2005 7:43 PM
Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] RE: Plotter PCB


>
>
> Hi to all.
> I just used a modified stubby plotter pen to hold a steadler
> lumocolor pen (sold in maplins as etch resist pen) and I have plotted
> my first circuit ready for etching.
> I bought a maplin etch starter kit (tray, ferric chloride, a pen &
> some pcbs) and gave the plotted circuit a quick etch...
> It took about 10-20 minutes to etch (swishing cold etchant straight
> from the bottle in the tray).

I use a deep plastic food container in a larger outer one, half-filled with 
boiling water. Etching takes about 5 minutes, with constant agitation.

> I will try to upload an image of the etched PCB for everyong to see
> but sufficed to say the surface finish isn't great (lots'o pitting)
> but I think this is because of the pen ink slightly dissolving during
> the etch (On my plot tests, I left the ink on the board overnight and
> coldklene had problems taking the ink off the day after...ideas
> anyone?).
> Anyhow, I checked the board for continuity and it was fine. Under 3x
> magnification, it looked like terrible.
> Oh, one problem...I forgot to buy some drill bits (DUH!)
>
> Now, some help required: what type of containers can ferric chloride
> be safely kept in and used for etching...I am looking at using those
> glass preserve jars with the funny external locking mechanism and the
> rubber o-ring for holding etchant and boards.
> Basically, what type of seals (paper, rubber, fibre etc.) are ferric
> proof?

The locking mechanism will corrode very quickly. I use empty plastic milk 
bottles for etchant and developer; they seem to last for ever, and the price 
is right.

Leon 



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