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View Full Version : Best place to buy etchant, PCBs and etching tools


XmasInGalt
10-02-2010, 04:45 PM
I'm looking to etch some boards to make some Ren16LSDs (a scaled down version of the Ren48LSD) to power my Rainbow floods on various parts of my house. I also intend to use Ren-Ws so the set-ups are portable.

I know a number of folks in the forum etch their own boards so I'm curious to know what suppliers you use for these materials.

Thanks.
n1ist
10-02-2010, 06:21 PM
Believe it or not, Radio Shack still carries Ferric Chloride echant... As for PCBs, I usually order them on eBay. I use a laser printer and use a laminator to transfer the toner to the board. I etch in a ziploc bag sitting in the plastic lid of a tray from the local salad bar just in case it spills. However, more often than not, I usually have my boards fabbed over in China since most of my designs are double-sided and I don't want to have to z-wire all of the vias.
/mike
budude
10-02-2010, 07:12 PM
Although it's been over a year since I've etched a board, I got all my stuff at Fry's Electronics. I went with the positive photo method. It's more expensive than using the toner transfer method but I think it's more consistent and I get a bit finer detail with it. I got a light kit, the positive resist chemicals and FC etchant and made a lot of boards that way. The only funny thing (not haha) is that you're still reliant upon creating a good solid transparency and I still need a laser printer for that (which are getting harder to find these days). I've used inkjet printers but usually have to double up the transparencies and you have to align them perfectly so I try to stay away from that...
Jrd
10-02-2010, 07:48 PM
What about using a CNC machine to etch boards? Anyone do that?
ebrady
10-02-2010, 10:27 PM
A cheap, DIY etchant can be made at home...

Mix 2 parts Hydrogen Peroxide with 1 part Muratic Acid. Muratic Acid can be purchased at your local Hardware store, usually sold as concrete cleaner. Hydrogen Peroxide can be found about anywhere. Quite a bit cheaper, and gives good results.
toy keeper
10-03-2010, 12:14 AM
The only funny thing (not haha) is that you're still reliant upon creating a good solid transparency and I still need a laser printer for that (which are getting harder to find these days). I've used inkjet printers but usually have to double up the transparencies and you have to align them perfectly so I try to stay away from that...

I use a laser for doing the transparencies and still have to double up.
Also get my stuff at frys.
ctmal
10-03-2010, 03:18 AM
I get my boards from ebay(there's a link somewhere in the forums), my etchant from Radio Shack and the printer I use is a $50 samsung. I use the laser transfer method(I wish I had a cnc machine) and I've never really had any issues with poor quality.
Wayne J
10-03-2010, 11:32 AM
This is the guy most of us use on Ebay........

http://shop.ebay.com/abcfab/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=25

I just bought a small lot from him again myself.

As for the Muriatic acid/Peroxide etchant, BE CAREFUL!!!!! That stuff is HIGHLY corrosive. The fumes alone will corrode anything metal near it.
ebrady
10-03-2010, 03:31 PM
This is the guy most of us use on Ebay........

As for the Muriatic acid/Peroxide etchant, BE CAREFUL!!!!! That stuff is HIGHLY corrosive. The fumes alone will corrode anything metal near it.

I agree, even though this stuff is DIY (and in my opinion, as good as the Radio Shack Stuff), it is highly corrosive. It must be kept in a plastic container and used only in a well ventilated area.

Here is an instructable link to it which supplies more details for anyone interested.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Stop-using-Ferric-Chloride-etchant!--A-better-etc/