Homebrew PCBs

Yes, Pulsar sells a laminator, but won't be shipping new orders until 11/7. 
I was just cruising their site last evening. I am also a newbie, and looking 
to get started. In general, are their transfer products the ones to use? Is 
their package deal a good price? $100US for the starter kit seems not 
unreasonable; $50 for the kit without the laminator.

I also read their recommendation to use 1/2 oz cladding, rather than 1 oz. 
They make a pretty compelling argument, but I'm somewhat partial to the 1oz 
FR4 boards I've been using (commercial boards). Will I have problems holding 
under 10 mil separation with the 1 oz?

Their 1-minute sponging technique sounds almost too good to be true. Is 
anyone having success with that? (There's a lot of mention here of tanks, 
aerators, and heaters.) I would just try it and see, but as I'm totally new, 
I would very much like my first board to be a brain-dead simple success. 
(Seeing as I'm new and don't have tanks and things, there doesn't seem to be 
much other choice. :) Are good results with 10 mil traces and spacing 
possible, even if not likely, on the first try?

Also, I notice that RadioShack's website doesn't know anything about "ferric 
chloride", or "pcb etch". You'll find the MSDS for their part number 
26-1535, but it does look like RS now only panders to cellphones, ipods, and 
TV wiring.

One last question: which is worse? singleside SMT with some air wires, or 
double side with a bunch of drilling for vias and through-holes?


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Stefan Trethan" <stefan_trethan@...>
To: <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com>
> get a laminator that accepts boards already (doesn't pulsar sell
> one??).