PCB toner transfer etchants

[Darren Brumfield]

I've been reading up on this and the consensus is that ferric chloride is
the most common compound to do the actual "etching". Is there some sort
of more widely available chemical that will get the job done? Something I
could find at the local walmart? For my needs it doesn't have to be fast
(a couple of hours is fine).

--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: news@netfront.net ---

 

[Jasen Betts]

On 2010-02-22, Darren Brumfield <brumfield47FAKEPART@live.marshall.edu> wrote:

I've been reading up on this and the consensus is that ferric chloride is
the most common compound to do the actual "etching". Is there some sort
of more widely available chemical that will get the job done? Something I
could find at the local walmart? For my needs it doesn't have to be fast
(a couple of hours is fine).

This guy used a mix of peroxide and HCl:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Stop-using-Ferric-Chloride-etchant!--A-better-etc/


--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: news@netfront.net ---

 

[Tom Biasi]

"Darren Brumfield" <brumfield47FAKEPART@live.marshall.edu> wrote in message
newsp.u8ibs3zqdnxnbk@meganii.c4ui2u.com...

I've been reading up on this and the consensus is that ferric chloride is
the most common compound to do the actual "etching". Is there some sort
of more widely available chemical that will get the job done? Something I
could find at the local walmart? For my needs it doesn't have to be fast
(a couple of hours is fine).

Ferric Chloride is the safest for home use. It can be messy though if you
are sloppy.
Why don't you want to use it?
It's pretty easy to get.

Tom

 

[Rich Webb]

On Sun, 21 Feb 2010 21:28:05 -0500, "Darren Brumfield"
<brumfield47FAKEPART@live.marshall.edu> wrote:

I've been reading up on this and the consensus is that ferric chloride is
the most common compound to do the actual "etching". Is there some sort
of more widely available chemical that will get the job done? Something I
could find at the local walmart?

How about your local Radio Shack (e.g., Huntington Mall)? Most Radio
Shacks still carry ferric chloride etchant, although you may have to
fight your way through the cell phones to get to it.

--
Rich Webb Norfolk, VA

 

[robb]

"Jasen Betts" <jasen@xnet.co.nz> wrote in message
news:hlte3f$4a1$1@reversiblemaps.ath.cx...

On 2010-02-22, Darren Brumfield
brumfield47FAKEPART@live.marshall.edu> wrote:
I've been reading up on this and the consensus is that ferric
chloride is
the most common compound to do the actual "etching". Is
there some sort
of more widely available chemical that will get the job done?
Something I
could find at the local walmart? For my needs it doesn't have
to be fast
(a couple of hours is fine).

This guy used a mix of peroxide and HCl:


http://www.instructables.com/id/Stop-using-Ferric-Chloride-etchant!--A-better-etc/

--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints:
news@netfront.net ---

I have used that link/formulation and it worked well for my small
experimental boards.

fwiw... i used the double sided copper boards sold by R.S.
(copper thckness ?) , toner transfer with magazine paper and i
agitated the etching board with a medium/small (#2, #3) cheapo
soft plastic bristle artist brush. Brushing along the exposed
copper until it appeared etched.

my recollection of etching time @ room teperatrure (78 F) was
about 2 - 3 minutes

hth
robb

 

[Darren Brumfield]

On Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:00:09 -0500, Rich Webb <bbew.ar@mapson.nozirev.ten>
wrote:

On Sun, 21 Feb 2010 21:28:05 -0500, "Darren Brumfield"
brumfield47FAKEPART@live.marshall.edu> wrote:

I've been reading up on this and the consensus is that ferric chloride
is
the most common compound to do the actual "etching". Is there some sort
of more widely available chemical that will get the job done? Something
I
could find at the local walmart?

How about your local Radio Shack (e.g., Huntington Mall)? Most Radio
Shacks still carry ferric chloride etchant, although you may have to
fight your way through the cell phones to get to it.

I'm so used to being let down by Radio Shack I kind of assumed they
wouldn't. Turns out they had it in the "bigger" one in Huntington (even
though it was way overpriced), which was surprising because they don't
actually sell any copper clad blanks to etch...

--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: news@netfront.net ---

 

[Rich Webb]

On Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:58:10 -0500, "Darren Brumfield"
<brumfield47FAKEPART@live.marshall.edu> wrote:

On Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:00:09 -0500, Rich Webb <bbew.ar@mapson.nozirev.ten
wrote:

On Sun, 21 Feb 2010 21:28:05 -0500, "Darren Brumfield"
brumfield47FAKEPART@live.marshall.edu> wrote:

I've been reading up on this and the consensus is that ferric chloride
is
the most common compound to do the actual "etching". Is there some sort
of more widely available chemical that will get the job done? Something
I
could find at the local walmart?

How about your local Radio Shack (e.g., Huntington Mall)? Most Radio
Shacks still carry ferric chloride etchant, although you may have to
fight your way through the cell phones to get to it.



I'm so used to being let down by Radio Shack I kind of assumed they
wouldn't. Turns out they had it in the "bigger" one in Huntington (even
though it was way overpriced), which was surprising because they don't
actually sell any copper clad blanks to etch...

As much as everybody complains about Radio Shack (me too!), in the
bigger picture it's kind of surprising, in a good way, to be able to buy
stuff like etchant or tip cleaner or a tub'o'flux at the local strip
mall between the barber shop and liquor store. If they have to turn into
a cell phone store to survive, well, at least they're still around.

--
Rich Webb Norfolk, VA

 

[pimpom]

Darren Brumfield wrote:

On Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:00:09 -0500, Rich Webb
bbew.ar@mapson.nozirev.ten> wrote:

On Sun, 21 Feb 2010 21:28:05 -0500, "Darren Brumfield"
brumfield47FAKEPART@live.marshall.edu> wrote:

I've been reading up on this and the consensus is that ferric
chloride is
the most common compound to do the actual "etching". Is
there some
sort of more widely available chemical that will get the job
done?
Something I
could find at the local walmart?

How about your local Radio Shack (e.g., Huntington Mall)? Most
Radio
Shacks still carry ferric chloride etchant, although you may
have to
fight your way through the cell phones to get to it.



I'm so used to being let down by Radio Shack I kind of assumed
they
wouldn't. Turns out they had it in the "bigger" one in
Huntington
(even though it was way overpriced), which was surprising
because
they don't actually sell any copper clad blanks to etch...

Couldn't you get it at your local chemist or something? It's
quite common over here in India.

 

[John Fields]

On Sun, 21 Feb 2010 21:28:05 -0500, "Darren Brumfield"
<brumfield47FAKEPART@live.marshall.edu> wrote:

I've been reading up on this and the consensus is that ferric chloride is
the most common compound to do the actual "etching". Is there some sort
of more widely available chemical that will get the job done? Something I
could find at the local walmart? For my needs it doesn't have to be fast
(a couple of hours is fine).

---
http://www.instructables.com/id/Stop-using-Ferric-Chloride-etchant!--A-better-etc/

JF

 

[JeffM]

Darren Brumfield wrote:

I've been reading up on this and the consensus is that
ferric chloride is the most common compound
to do the actual "etching".

It's the easiest to get

but it stains pretty much everything it touches.
http://google.com/search?q=%22+Ammonium.Persulfate%22+%22+Sodium.Persulfate%22+%22+Ferric.Chloride

Have you read Tom Gootee's classic DIY page?
http://www.fullnet.com/~tomg/gooteepc.htm

 

[Jamie]

Darren Brumfield wrote:

I've been reading up on this and the consensus is that ferric chloride
is the most common compound to do the actual "etching". Is there some
sort of more widely available chemical that will get the job done?
Something I could find at the local walmart? For my needs it doesn't
have to be fast (a couple of hours is fine).

--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: news@netfront.net ---
get yourself an etching tank that as a air pump and warmer.. You can

etch in a very short time and get more life out of you chems..

Tank kits range from 30..50 bucks.

You won't get this kit from Radio shaft..

Look around , may places sell them...

http://www.oselectronics.com/ose_p56.htm

scroll back a page to see other supplies
etc..

 

[Michael Black]

On Mon, 22 Feb 2010, Jamie wrote:

Darren Brumfield wrote:
I've been reading up on this and the consensus is that ferric chloride is
the most common compound to do the actual "etching". Is there some sort
of more widely available chemical that will get the job done? Something I
could find at the local walmart? For my needs it doesn't have to be fast
(a couple of hours is fine).

--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: news@netfront.net ---
get yourself an etching tank that as a air pump and warmer.. You can
etch in a very short time and get more life out of you chems..

Tank kits range from 30..50 bucks.

You won't get this kit from Radio shaft..

You don't need to buy something, you can make something.

Heat the ferric chloride during the etching, there are multiple ways
including a hot plate or a heat lamp or an aquarium heater, or at the very
least preheat it before etching.

Lots of ways to agitate. An aerator from an aquarium store, hook up a
motor to agitate the container with the board and etchant, I'm sure there
are other schemes suggested over the years.

The magazines were full of suggestions along these lines.

Michael

 

[Rich Webb]

On Mon, 22 Feb 2010 23:21:23 -0500, Michael Black <et472@ncf.ca> wrote:

On Mon, 22 Feb 2010, Jamie wrote:

Darren Brumfield wrote:
I've been reading up on this and the consensus is that ferric chloride is
the most common compound to do the actual "etching". Is there some sort
of more widely available chemical that will get the job done? Something I
could find at the local walmart? For my needs it doesn't have to be fast
(a couple of hours is fine).

--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: news@netfront.net ---
get yourself an etching tank that as a air pump and warmer.. You can
etch in a very short time and get more life out of you chems..

Tank kits range from 30..50 bucks.

You won't get this kit from Radio shaft..

You don't need to buy something, you can make something.

Heat the ferric chloride during the etching, there are multiple ways
including a hot plate or a heat lamp or an aquarium heater, or at the very
least preheat it before etching.

Microwave oven. Don't let it boil over, though!

Lots of ways to agitate. An aerator from an aquarium store, hook up a
motor to agitate the container with the board and etchant, I'm sure there
are other schemes suggested over the years.

Nitrile gloves ("kitchen" gloves or even the old hand-in-a-plastic-bag
trick) and a paper towel. *Gently* rub the surface that's being etched.
Let the etchant do the work; the idea is just to wipe away the layer
that has already reacted.

--
Rich Webb Norfolk, VA

 

[Robert Roland]

On Tue, 23 Feb 2010 07:56:48 -0500, Rich Webb
<bbew.ar@mapson.nozirev.ten> wrote:

the idea is just to wipe away the layer
that has already reacted.

I agree. I use a baking brush to gently swipe the board. The brush is
all plastic, so it won't dissolve in the acid. The difference between
this method and just sploshing the acid around is incredible. I use
some 20 year old ferric cloride, and I can etch a board in less than
ten minutes. I also seems to help get a more even etching, and
therefore reduce the amount of etching under the mask.

Why it works? Here's an experiment: Take your dirty car, spray on some
soap and then hose it off with water. Clean? Nope! Now, try it again,
this time gently rubbing it with a soft sponge after you apply soap.
Notice the difference!
--
RoRo

 

[Hammy]

On Mon, 22 Feb 2010 22:48:43 -0500, Jamie
<jamie_ka1lpa_not_valid_after_ka1lpa_@charter.net> wrote:

Darren Brumfield wrote:
I've been reading up on this and the consensus is that ferric chloride
is the most common compound to do the actual "etching". Is there some
sort of more widely available chemical that will get the job done?
Something I could find at the local walmart? For my needs it doesn't
have to be fast (a couple of hours is fine).

--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: news@netfront.net ---
get yourself an etching tank that as a air pump and warmer.. You can
etch in a very short time and get more life out of you chems..

Tank kits range from 30..50 bucks.

You won't get this kit from Radio shaft..

Look around , may places sell them...

http://www.oselectronics.com/ose_p56.htm

scroll back a page to see other supplies
etc..

All I use is a Tupperware container about an inch depth of Ferric
Chloride. I put hot tap water in an aluminum lasagne tray. I then just
immerse the Tupperware container with the ferric in the hot water and
swish back and forth. I do this outside in my garage it usually takes
all of ten minutes or less.

All of that stuff can be picked up at dollarama at a buck each
including rubber gloves with the exception of ferric. So the total
cost is 3 bucks plus 11 bucks for a 1l of ferric which will do a lot
of boards.