Homebrew PCBs

hi guys new to this network can anyone give me a clue on the cheapest easiest way to get started i used strip board most of the time for building my hobby projects but i would like to be able to make my own pcb's if possible i just purchased a new digital solder station too i have tonns of schematics for projects and always looking for more as i opening a website for free schematics for ppl to download so hi all can anyone help with advice on how to make the boards myself and anyone want to donate schematics to the archive for the site also need info on the cheapest places to buy components and strip board and any items i may need to build my own pcb's 

thank you

Hi!

I will tell you what works well for me!

Software= Express PCB---free
Paper= HP Presentation paper 130g Q2546--$ 13.95 150-200 sheets
Iron= Cheap Dry Iron (No holes in the sole plate) $ 9 at TJ max
Etching tank= Plastic tray from last weeks order of Kung Po Chicken= free (very good etching tank)

Larger plastic or glass caserole dish to soak off the paper in!
Also you fill it with hot water to heat the etching tray.

small piece of plywood or 1/4 inch masonite to put under board when ironing.

Oven Mitt from the kitchen! You dont want to burn your fingers!

Thats what I use! I get excellent results using this paper!

OK! we have about $25 dollars here..

I believe you read the MR Gootie and other people's web pages on this subject..

I now have a GBC H535 laminator to transfer the image.It will do .062 inch thick boards with no modification! I found it for less than $95 on eBay with shipping. Others have found similar deals! It is easier than ironing but on small boards it is easy to get almost Pro quality 
boards! I just did two 4.5"x6.5" inch boards with many many traces and pads and it looks so good I almost hate to solder the components on it!

I hope this helps!

Have Fun with it like Iam!

Regards

Mike

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "newpcexpress" <newpcexpress@...> wrote:

>
> hi guys new to this network can anyone give me a clue on the cheapest easiest way to get started i used strip board most of the time for building my hobby projects but i would like to be able to make my own pcb's if possible i just purchased a new digital solder station too i have tonns of schematics for projects and always looking for more as i opening a website for free schematics for ppl to download so hi all can anyone help with advice on how to make the boards myself and anyone want to donate schematics to the archive for the site also need info on the cheapest places to buy components and strip board and any items i may need to build my own pcb's 
> 
> thank you
>

My current setup is an OLD broken down laser printer off ebay ( 0.99 + $20 shipping off ebay), a big batch of single sided cost like 10 or 20 bucks but im pretty much set for LIFE on single sided, an  iron, and various etchants.

If i started now i'd do this:

PRINTER: watch ebay for a FIRE SALE laser printer or find access to one. You can probably use one at the library or your work. Much nicer to use your own. 

PCB: Single or doublesided board. Look for CHEAP and bulk. Something like this : http://cgi.ebay.com/24-shts.Copper-Clad-Laminate,-FR-4,-060-Thk,--4x6.---SS_W0QQitemZ310144241841QQcmdZViewItem (not this one though shipping would kill you). Id avoid the current main  ebay sellers their prices are astronomical and ridiculous.

Paper: DONT bother with photopaper. Some people like wasting money on their hobby. Ive had BETTER results with ultracheap printer paper. It disolves far more readily. Ideally glossy magazine paper if you can get your printer to feed it (mine eats it). Remember if it doesnt transfer well you can scrub it off and try again.

Etchant: 1 gal muriatic acid (HCL) $7 at hardware store
         16 oz hydrogen peroxide at walmart $1
         For added eficiency - fish tank bubbler $5 to convert
         the etchant to Cupric chloride (recyclable self renewing
         etchant)
Containers: i use the cheap $2 plastic sandwich containers from walmert for small etches but I have a LOt of them from my job. I find for large boards a 2 liter coke bottle works great. I store etchant in a 1gallon or so plastic fruit juice container.

If you go this method you have pretty much an inexhaustable supply of everything with no real future outlay other than new pcb and someday toner refill for your printer. Thats actually cheap for OLD printers (mine was $14).

Going this route (and using someones printer) you can have a large stock of pcb making material for what a bottle of (dangerous) FCL etchant and a  small 2 sided piece of copper clad would cost you at radio shack.

If i wanted to move UP from there id buy a laminator and build myself a really nice bubbler/etchant tank but i dont have room for those anyway.

Btw the cupric chloride is more environmentally friendly, safer, cheaper and smarter.