PCB Etching

[chemelec]

Sorry I forgot to say I always get the ferric quite warm/hot can do a board
in about ten mins. If its cold can take an hour. I put the ferric in a 10/8 photographic tray that is just about floating in a bigger tray with boiling water in, then float the board face down on top of the ferric. Check it from time to time to make sure there are no trapped air bubbles

Get a Coffee Pot Warmer to heat the Ferric Chloride.

Here is one that I added a large aluminum plate to.

Lay a Plastic Container on top of it (1 Gallon Plastic Jug, Cut on Side and than laying on its side) with the Ferric Chloride in it and Cover it with a piece of Cardboard.

It will heat up the Ferric Chloride Nice and warm and Maintain that Temperature while Etching.
I Bought this Warmer for $1.00 in a Second hand Store.
WORKS GREAT for small batches of boards.

[Esteban]

Electronic solution

I saw an electronic solution in a Brazilian magazine I have. Movement reduce the time of exposition. The timer is powered by public electric line. You can calculate the necessary time for to be operative, but, first, adjust only with water. This is the approximative disposition:

[chemelec]

I saw an electronic solution in a Brazilian magazine I have. Movement reduce the time of exposition. The timer is powered by public electric line. You can calculate the necessary time for to be operative, but, first, adjust only with water. This is the approximative disposition:

A Vibrating Table Also works.
Just a Small Motor with an "Out of Balance" Shaft can create a Good Vibration for this. (Offset cam on the shaft of a cassette player motor.)

A 555 oscillator running at a low frequency and driving a Solenoid will also work for aggitation.

Been there, Done these

[taliesin]

Sorry but i insist, use couche paper that is low cost.
Max, try to use less acid. Time will be more, about 5 to 15 minutes, but results are excellent. On my pcb´s i also got the very small text printed on it.
Regards
Nelson

i use glossy photo printer paper with excellent results .10 a4 sheets for £1.i etch with Sodium perchlorate which leaves me with copper sulphate a useful by product.

[taliesin]

i use glossy photo printer paper with excellent results .10 a4 sheets for £1.i etch with Sodium perchlorate which leaves me with copper sulphate a useful by product.

sorry mistake sodium persulphate i meant