Homebrew PCBs

Gloves, eye protection, all done outside. However, I will read up on it more before doing a second try. 

Thanks,

Rick

On Mar 30, 2013, at 11:32 AM, Roland Harriston <rolohar@...> wrote:

> Does not matter what the metal is.........sodium hydroxide is nasty stuff.
> Were you wearing eye protection??
> 
> A lot of stores won't carry it anymore in my neck of the woods
> because it is so dangerous in the hands of inexperienced and 
> ill-equipped users.
> 
> If you have the proper equipment and setup for using sodium hydroxide,
> then it is okay.
> 
> But messing around with the stuff as you are doing is not only dangerous,
> but also not very smart.
> 
> Get a hold of a few good books that tell how to do what you want to do,
> and that explain what equipment/techniques you should have.
> 
> I bet a quick "Google" will get you the intelligence you need to
> do the job.
> 
> Roland F. Harriston, P.D.
> **********************
> 
> On 3/30/2013 8:44 AM, Rick Sparber wrote:
>> 
>> Roland,
>> 
>> In this case, I am etching aluminum, not copper. I know that ferric 
>> chloride
>> does not do much to aluminum.
>> 
>> I chose lye because it was easy to find at my Ace Hardware store and was
>> very low cost. Yet I see that the stuff is very active at full strength. I
>> assume that if I mix in more water, it would not be as aggressive nor
>> generate as much heat.
>> 
>> If I didn't use lye, what other commonly found chemical could etch 
>> aluminum.
>> I tried drain cleaner but it was far too slow and stopped etching after a
>> few minutes. I was left with a very slight roughness in the exposed area.
>> 
>> Rick
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com 
>> <mailto:Homebrew_PCBs%40yahoogroups.com> 
>> [mailto:Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com 
>> <mailto:Homebrew_PCBs%40yahoogroups.com>]
>> On Behalf Of Roland Harriston
>> Sent: Saturday, March 30, 2013 8:34 AM
>> To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com <mailto:Homebrew_PCBs%40yahoogroups.com>
>> Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] lye
>> 
>> Whew!
>> 
>> A really bad idea!
>> 
>> There are so many less dangerous materials that have been used to etch 
>> PCB's
>> that have proven to be relatively safe and very effective over the last
>> 50 or 60
>> years.
>> 
>> The task is not that complex or hazardous.....why make it so?
>> 
>> Roland F. Harriston, P.D.
>> ***********************
>> 
>> On 3/30/2013 7:31 AM, Rick Sparber wrote:
>>> 
>>> Has anyone used lye to etch aluminum through photo resist?
>>> 
>>> As a test, I put a strip of aluminum in lye plus water and after 15
>>> minutes the strip was half of its original thickness. So there is no
>>> doubt that lye can etch VERY deep. But the chemical reaction generated
>>> a lot of heat and the tape I had on there quickly floated off. Next
>>> time I will use more water.
>>> 
>>> I did have the lye and aluminum outside while I watched from inside.
>>> Nasty fumes!
>>> 
>>> Thanks,
>>> 
>>> Rick
>>> 
>>> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>>> 
>>> 
>> 
>> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>> 
>> ------------------------------------
>> 
>> Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and 
>> Photos:
>> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links
>> 
>> 
> 
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------------
> 
> Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and Photos:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links
> 
> 
>