DIY PCB Advice

[Aodhan145]

[Deleted]

[Zero999]

This isn't good. If you feel like this for much longer, go to A&E.

[TMM]

I use carby/throttle-body cleaner to remove the toner mask - works just as well as acetone but has a milder odour.

[Falcon69]

Acetone.....Viagra for your eyes!

Seriously though, it sounds like you've poisoned yourself, high or not.  If you've been that way for a couple hours, I would seriously go see the doctor or call Poison Control.

[wraper]

I am back to normal now. Acetone didn't remove my photo-resist I tried it. I have a negative photo-resist so I am trying sodium meta-silicate it looks to be taking awhile. Any other better ideas? I might go buy some polishing sandpaper soon.

Why did you think acetone would remove it? Did you read how to use negative photoresist at all? Silicate developer is used to develop positive photoresist. Negative photoresist usually it is developed with a sodium carbonate and removed with a sodium hydroxide. Just leave it for a while in the sodium hydroxide solution and all photoresist will just come off as flakes.

[bookaboo]

Yet another reason to use a cheap prototyping service instead of home brew.

[Alex Eisenhut]

Yet another reason to use a cheap prototyping service instead of home brew.

[sleemanj]

Why did you think acetone would remove it? Did you read how to use negative photoresist at all?

FWIW, Acetone will happily remove dry film negative photo resist, in about 30 seconds or so, dunk it in and it basically curls up and dies.

[sleemanj]

This is really useful for anyone who needs sodium carbonate just buy baking soda.

Go into your supermarket, grab the nearest powdered type of laundry stuff, clothes whitener, "natural" fabric softener.  You will probably find it is mostly Sodium Carbonate (also Sodium Percabonate, Sodium Peroxyhydrate typically, they all work), that's why it's called "Washing Soda". 

My go-to at the moment is Sard Oxy Plus.  Mix at around 30g/L

[BradC]

I use carby/throttle-body cleaner to remove the toner mask - works just as well as acetone but has a milder odour.

Last carb/throttle cleaner I looked at had Acetone, Methanol, Toluene and a bit of dimethyl ether in it. Works great for carbys, but is a whisker more volatile than plain old acetone. I've even see some with MEK in it.

[kerrsmith]

I use the method shown in Mads Nielsen's video:



The only small changes I make are to not do the second UV exposure and I use a sodium hydroxide solution to remove the photo resist after etching (5g in 100mL water) - I like watching all the tracks and letters float off after a minute or so.

I don't do the second exposure as I have found that if after developing there is a tiny amount of photo resist left at track edges it can make them a little bit fuzzy - though you do need to look very closely to notice it.  I also use a small cotton bud to very gently wipe the tracks and text during developing to help remove all the resist from their edges. Without the second exposure any tiny areas of now clear photo resist left do not harden further and it seems to etch away with the copper and you get really clean lines.

The first PCB I made used Mads method exactly and it came out nearly perfect so the above is just a small amount of tweaking really.

The cost for the chemicals is not much and you use so little of them they should last for ages.

[Psi]

When you can get x5  10cm x 10cm boards with two layer, solder mask, silkscreen all for $10 there isnt any reason to make your own DIY pcbs.
Unless you actually enjoy it, in that case etch away

[kerrsmith]

When you can get x5  10cm x 10cm boards with two layer, solder mask, silkscreen all for $10 there isnt any reason to make your own DIY pcbs.
Unless you actually enjoy it, in that case etch away

I do like the idea of getting them made as they look really neat with all the silk screen, solder mask and pre-drilled holes but I also like to have them straight away.

When I want a new PCB I can have it complete in under an hour and it is really easy to do - plus I do really enjoy making them myself.

[SteveyG]

When you can get x5  10cm x 10cm boards with two layer, solder mask, silkscreen all for $10 there isnt any reason to make your own DIY pcbs.
Unless you actually enjoy it, in that case etch away

Where? I'd normally pay close to £100 for similar service here.

[VK3DRB]

Yet another reason to use a cheap prototyping service instead of home brew.

Or do what everyone else does... outsource it to a third world country like China where the locals get poisoned at discount prices. What we should be doing is making PCB's in our own backyards or in our own cities. Home brew!

[george graves]

Or do what everyone else does... outsource it to a third world country like China where the locals get poisoned at discount prices. What we should be doing is making PCB's in our own backyards or in our own cities. Home brew!

I do wish there was a list of PCB houses in china where they don't pollute and pay a fair wage.  But I might be asking too much.  Rats.  (actually I think the TVBGONE guy use to have a list - I'll look for it)

[sleemanj]

I do wish there was a list of PCB houses in china where they don't pollute and pay a fair wage.

Here you go...

LIST STARTS
LIST ENDS

[wraper]

Why did you think acetone would remove it? Did you read how to use negative photoresist at all?

FWIW, Acetone will happily remove dry film negative photo resist, in about 30 seconds or so, dunk it in and it basically curls up and dies.

Maybe it will work on some particular dry film. Obviously it does not work on op's photoresist. Likely depends on how much exposure it did receive too.

[lapm]

And thats why im planning on making small plastic container with controller air draft to central air removal of house. Dont want nasty smells all over my home..

[kerrsmith]

And thats why im planning on making small plastic container with controller air draft to central air removal of house. Dont want nasty smells all over my home..

I tend to do the actual etching outside but the rest I do indoors. The developing (sodium carbonate solution) does not make any fumes and neither does the photo resist removal with sodium hydroxide solution.

I only use a small amount of acetone on a bit of kitchen towel to clean the copper once I have lightly sanded it at the start to remove grease and dust - this does have a slight smell but it only takes a second or two, then I put the paper towel in the bin outside.

This method seems to keep any fumes you could potentially breath in to a minimum.