Journal #6556
Posted 14 years ago2010-05-10 10:52:02 UTC
Just a general question to other Electronics fans (I asked Tetsu0 but I thought there might be someone else interested too)
What is your preferred method to make PCBs? I mean, after the breadboard phase, when you want the definitive PCB. I learned several methods while in school but they were inconvenient in one way or another.
The easy one is to draw the circuit straight on the board with a permanent marker, but this isn't so neat for complicated designs.
Then there was another method which required some expensive blue paper, then convincing someone at a press to print the circuit on it, then stick it to the blank board (copper side) and iron it. I hated this one.
The last one was to trace the design on vinyl with a cutting plotter, then sticking it to the board. I preferred this one, but I don't have a cutting plotter.
So anyway, what's your preference?
What is your preferred method to make PCBs? I mean, after the breadboard phase, when you want the definitive PCB. I learned several methods while in school but they were inconvenient in one way or another.
The easy one is to draw the circuit straight on the board with a permanent marker, but this isn't so neat for complicated designs.
Then there was another method which required some expensive blue paper, then convincing someone at a press to print the circuit on it, then stick it to the blank board (copper side) and iron it. I hated this one.
The last one was to trace the design on vinyl with a cutting plotter, then sticking it to the board. I preferred this one, but I don't have a cutting plotter.
So anyway, what's your preference?
5 Comments
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I'm not sure how to go about making one myself.
To make one yourself, you clean up the blank board, do any of the procedures above, then dip the board in Ferric Chloride - FeCl eats away at the exposed copper - and leave it there until only your circuit is left in (painted over) copper. Wash FeCl off with warm water, dry, drill holes, place components, etc.
I liked that, it takes a little time but it's fun. Also I heard there are some alternatives to FeCl but I don't know of any.
Boom.
I'm starting to think ordering online is better