Homebrew PCBs

On Jan 30, 2010, at 2:38 AM, jimofc300 wrote:

> 1) I just purchased a bottle of Liquid Tin. In the bottom of the  
> (unopened) bottle, there's a lot of white precipitate and a few  
> black things. It doesn't mix in if I shake it. Is this normal or did  
> I receive a defective product?

Mine’s the same way.  It seems to work ok, but the precipitate looks  
very odd to me.

> 2) I understand that the tinning process is very stinky and produces  
> toxic gases. Is it ok to use it outside, since my lab (a.k.a.  
> garage) is not well ventilated?

It is smelly, but I’ve taken to putting some into a clear plastic  
container (left over from some Chinese food, I believe) and both  
storing some in there and also using it for soaking the board.  I just  
pop the board in and close the lid and watch for it to be done.  I  
don’t smell anything when I do it that way.

> 3) Can I re-use Liquid Tin by pouring it back into the original  
> bottle? Or should it be discarded after one use?

My bottle turned a bit cloudy when I poured used mixture back in, so I  
went the reusable solution method above.

I’m looking forward to seeing answers to questions 4 and 5. :-)

--
Brian Lalor / blalor@...
     Humanity is rife with enterprising idiots whose final words may  
well have
     been "hold my beer and watch this."