Homebrew PCBs

I have blank pcbs, board drill bits and parts ordered and on the way,
before they arrive I would like to check the following:

Let me see if I have this right:

Phase One:
1) I layout the board in the software
      FREEPCB found at FREEPCB.COM
2) I print what I just laid out onto
   my HP DeskJet 712c printer
     2a) I make a copy with
         my Panasonic KX-FM106 
         "Copier/Fax" machine.
3) I turn the copied paper upside down on the blank copper
4) I apply my preheated iron to the backside of the paper
    (the paper should stick well or apply more heat)
5) I remove the paper in hot water or something

Phase Two:
6) Now I use the etchant process and remove
   the still visible copper from the board
7) Now I remove the ink from the remaining copper
8) Now I drill holes in the board for the components

Phase Three:
9) Insert components and build board.
----------------------------
----------------------------

Well how'd I do? Hope I got it all straight :0)

7&3 fer nw,
KE5CTY (old calls WB5ZQU - WY5L)
http://www.qsl.net/ke5cty/
Code may be dying but the pioneering spirit that put the code there in
the first place is still going strong.

On Mon, 13 Jun 2005 17:00:54 +0200, KE5CTY Bob <rtnmi@...> wrote:

> I have blank pcbs, board drill bits and parts ordered and on the way,
> before they arrive I would like to check the following:
> Let me see if I have this right:
> Phase One:
> 1) I layout the board in the software
>       FREEPCB found at FREEPCB.COM
> 2) I print what I just laid out onto
>    my HP DeskJet 712c printer
>      2a) I make a copy with
>          my Panasonic KX-FM106
>          "Copier/Fax" machine.
> 3) I turn the copied paper upside down on the blank copper
> 4) I apply my preheated iron to the backside of the paper
>     (the paper should stick well or apply more heat)
> 5) I remove the paper in hot water or something
> Phase Two:
> 6) Now I use the etchant process and remove
>    the still visible copper from the board
> 7) Now I remove the ink from the remaining copper
> 8) Now I drill holes in the board for the components
> Phase Three:
> 9) Insert components and build board.
> ----------------------------
> ----------------------------
> Well how'd I do? Hope I got it all straight :0)


i hope this is a toner-using fax/copier, they sell inkjets now and there  
were thermal ones.

you must clean the board really well.

But basically, yes, something like that is what you need to do.


ST

Hi Bob,

You did good! 

Just make sure that your pads are big enough to leave
enough materials after drilling. I ususally make
slightly oversize and stretched octagon pads to
compensate. I even increase the widths of the traces.
Overall its more forgiving and less copper to remove.

Just go sloawly on your first until you feel
comfortable with the techniques. 

Myc

--- KE5CTY Bob <rtnmi@...> wrote:

> I have blank pcbs, board drill bits and parts
> ordered and on the way,
> before they arrive I would like to check the
> following:
> 
> Let me see if I have this right:
> 
> Phase One:
> 1) I layout the board in the software
>       FREEPCB found at FREEPCB.COM
> 2) I print what I just laid out onto
>    my HP DeskJet 712c printer
>      2a) I make a copy with
>          my Panasonic KX-FM106 
>          "Copier/Fax" machine.
> 3) I turn the copied paper upside down on the blank
> copper
> 4) I apply my preheated iron to the backside of the
> paper
>     (the paper should stick well or apply more heat)
> 5) I remove the paper in hot water or something
> 
> Phase Two:
> 6) Now I use the etchant process and remove
>    the still visible copper from the board
> 7) Now I remove the ink from the remaining copper
> 8) Now I drill holes in the board for the components
> 
> Phase Three:
> 9) Insert components and build board.
> ----------------------------
> ----------------------------
> 
> Well how'd I do? Hope I got it all straight :0)
> 
> 7&3 fer nw,
> KE5CTY (old calls WB5ZQU - WY5L)
> http://www.qsl.net/ke5cty/
> Code may be dying but the pioneering spirit that put
> the code there in
> the first place is still going strong.
> 
> 
> 
> 



		
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On Mon, 13 Jun 2005 18:25:41 +0200, Mycroft2152 <mycroft2152@...>  
wrote:

> Hi Bob,
> You did good!
> Just make sure that your pads are big enough to leave
> enough materials after drilling. I ususally make
> slightly oversize and stretched octagon pads to
> compensate. I even increase the widths of the traces.
> Overall its more forgiving and less copper to remove.
> Just go sloawly on your first until you feel
> comfortable with the techniques.
> Myc


I agree!

Pilots say there is nothing more useless than airspace above you and  
runway behind you.

For us it is there is nothing more useless than etched-away copper ;-)

ST