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When I around 12 years old I attempted to etch my first circuit board. I took my copper clad board, placed it in a pie tin and then proceeded to pour in the etc
by proee 8y ago
When I around 12 years old I attempted to etch my first circuit board. I took my copper clad board, placed it in a pie tin and then proceeded to pour in the etching acid. Within seconds, the acid reacted violently with tin and dissolved through the bottom of the pan and spilled all over the table saw and garage floor where I was working. Let's just say my dad was not a happy camper when I showed him my handiwork!
- ridgeguy 8y agoThe pie 'tin' was probably aluminum - maybe sheet steel, if it was one of the robust types. Aluminum and acids usually react fast, with evolution of hydrogen. I used to use that reaction to top off balloons (already partially inflated with air) with hydrogen. Tie off the balloon, touch a match - a satisfying kaboom!, with no shrapnel. My Mom was appalled. My Dad asked for do-overs.
- Mister_X 8y agoWhat acid did you use, when I etched my first board in 1969, I used Ferric chloride (that stuff stains everything!) and an aluminum pie plate, it worked fine, no reactions at all, other than slowly etching my copper circuit board.
- proee 8y agoI believe it was ferric chloride. The table saw and garage foor were permanently stained a brown rust color.
- Elv13 8y agoI did the exact same mistake at the same age. That was my first and last PCB. Until yesterday that is. I bought one of these 100$ Chinese PCB milling machine. It "works", I guess. I mean, wont do BGA or any fine print anytime soon, but for personal projects, it beats a glorious mess of wires or ducktaped breadboards :P
- nightfly 8y agoWhat milling machine?
- unwind 8y agoI don't own one, but the cheapest on AliExpress for me right now is this: [1]. It lists as $130 for me at the moment. I did not do any exhaustive searching, perhaps there are cheaper machines to be found. I know nothing about this particular machine, I've never owned one just wanted to provide an example of what the OP might have. [1] https://www.aliexpress.com/item/CNC-2417-DIY-CNC-Engraving-Machine-3axis-Mini-Pcb-Pvc-Milling-Machine-Metal-Wood-Carving-Machine/32842617804.html https://www.aliexpress.com/item/CNC-2417-DIY-CNC-Engraving-M...
- foldr 8y agoNeat! I had no idea something like that was available so cheaply.