PCB Etching Tips: Affordable DIY Solutions

[JulzShred]

Hi guys,

I've just started doing a bit of research in preparation for trying to print and make some DIY circuits. I was just wondering if there are techniques that are favored over others. Also I don't have a massive budget, so price is quite an important factor to me. From what I can find, acid etching seems to be a fairly simple and cheap solution. Any guidance in the right direction would be greatly appreciated!

 

[berkeman]

Hi guys,

I've just started doing a bit of research in preparation for trying to print and make some DIY circuits. I was just wondering if there are techniques that are favored over others. Also I don't have a massive budget, so price is quite an important factor to me. From what I can find, acid etching seems to be a fairly simple and cheap solution. Any guidance in the right direction would be greatly appreciated!

Welcome to the PF.

One big tip is to be sure to look into how you can dispose of the leftovers after etching. You generally can't just dump the stuff down the drain -- instead you need to find a place that recycles it.

As an alternative, there are cheap places that will make your PCB for you, and they are used a lot by DIY folks like you. You also get plated-through holes on PCBs from fab houses -- that's not something that you will be doing in your kitchen

 

[gnurf]

I've just started doing a bit of research in preparation for trying to print and make some DIY circuits. I was just wondering if there are techniques that are favored over others. Also I don't have a massive budget, so price is quite an important factor to me. From what I can find, acid etching seems to be a fairly simple and cheap solution. Any guidance in the right direction would be greatly appreciated!

I once made a UV exposure box for double-layered 100mm x 160mm boards from a bunch of cheap UV LEDS and transistors I bought on ebay, a microcontroller, a LCD display, and some other bells and whistles. After calibration it worked perfectly and I have never used it since.

Edit: I used http://bungard.de/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29&Itemid=80&lang=english#top6 from Bungard for the etching part. Nothing to it really, just follow the instructions on the bag (mix it with water, don't drink it, etc).

 

[JulzShred]

Cheers for the advice guys. Any tips of transferring the layout to the board? The laser printer transfer method seems to be the most popular that I can see. Do you think this is the best/most efficient way to print design on to the board?

 

[alphy]

I would like to provide some tips and guidance on PCB etching for DIY solutions. First of all, acid etching is indeed a popular and affordable method for etching PCBs. However, it is important to note that handling acids can be dangerous and caution should be taken when using this method. It is also important to use proper safety equipment, such as gloves and goggles, to protect yourself.

Another affordable method for PCB etching is using a laser printer and iron transfer. This involves printing the circuit design onto a special transfer paper and then using heat to transfer it onto the copper board. This method is less hazardous than acid etching and can produce high-quality results.

In terms of techniques, it is important to have a clean and properly prepared copper board before etching. This includes removing any oxidation or residue from the board. Also, make sure to use the correct concentration of acid and follow the recommended etching time for your specific circuit design.

Lastly, I would recommend practicing on a small and simple circuit design before attempting a more complex one. This will help you refine your technique and avoid any costly mistakes.

Overall, both acid etching and iron transfer methods can be effective and affordable for DIY PCB etching. Just remember to take proper safety precautions and practice on simpler designs before moving on to more complex ones. Good luck with your DIY circuit projects!