Homebrew PCBs

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Piers Goodhew <piers@...> wrote:
> I've taken to leaving the toner on the parts I'm not going to solder -  
> as a "solder mask" of sorts. Means I only have to tin the pads which  
> are going to need it at some point anyway ..


Piers, how do you get the toner off selectively? Do you use a Q-tip
(cotton swab) or something like that? I removed the toner with acetone
on a paper towel both times that I've done TT -- works great, but not
very selectively!

As a follow up, I hand-tinned all the traces and pads with solder. It
worked, but was a royal pain and wasted a whole lot of solder and
desoldering braid. I don't think I'll do it this way again.

However, the final product came out pretty well. Once I identified the
diode that I put in backwards (foolishly, since it was clearly marked
on the "silk screen" layer!), it works flawlessly. Now I'm in the
process of making a box and mounting it with the associated switches, etc.

Andy