javapda (February 11, 2008 at 1:42 pm)

I agree with your analysis :-) Thank you for the tips.

charlestimko (February 10, 2008 at 5:10 pm)

Nice tutorial. Unfortunately, your soldering could use some practice. Flux the parts first and the area for which you are going to solder. This will ensure that there isn't any bubbling. That bubbling tells that it is an insecure and poor solder. None the less, nice job, and I think I am going to do this.

javapda (November 7, 2007 at 4:44 pm)

Again, more great input. Thanks xjet!

javapda (November 7, 2007 at 4:41 pm)

Thanks for the comments. Agreed about etching first :-) Much easier to drill.

xjet (November 7, 2007 at 8:57 am)

3. It's safer to put a cable-tie around the board and use that to agitate the board while etching (rather than agitate the container) 4. Acetone gets the toner off the etched PCB real easy. 5. Spray your etched but undrilled PCB with a coat of spray-can clear polyurethene enamel. This will stop the copper from tarnishing later but won't affect soldering.

xjet (November 7, 2007 at 8:55 am)

Some observations: 1. Don't use steel wool -- it'll contaminate the copper. Use very fine wet and dry sandpaper or a scotchbrite pad. Also make sure you degrease the copper with acetone or a hot detergent solution. 2. Don't drill before you etch -- the drill will wander before biting (as you noted). If you etch first then there'll be a small hole in the copper to act just like a punch-mark