[Lab] Questions: 1) DIY PCB etching and 2) O-scope in lab?

[Darcy Whyte]

I've not had boards made by mail yet. What about those boards that just
have lots of holes? If the circuit is simple that's another way to do it.

I'm betting someone will come forward with a suggestion of where to get a
board made. I don't think it's very expensive.

Another list where people are into circuit boards and stuff is
OttawaRobotics.org.

A metal detector is a great project to get kids into making things (and
electronics).




On Wed, Jan 11, 2012 at 12:22 PM, <eric.schmidt at rogers.com> wrote:

> Thanks Darcy;
>
> Yes, messy and fraught with the possibility of screwups, but I wanted us
> to do the "full DIY" process at least once.
>
> Who would you suggest for the mail-order route, though? I'm curious about
> the cost of that option.
>
> cheers,
> Eric
>
>   ------------------------------
> *From:* Darcy Whyte <darcy at siteware.com>
> *To:* eric.schmidt at rogers.com
> *Sent:* Wednesday, January 11, 2012 12:08:17 PM
> *Subject:* Re: [Lab] Questions: 1) DIY PCB etching and 2) O-scope in lab?
>
> I noticed an scope in the lab
> Are you bringing the project to the next modlab?
>  etching sounds messy
> Perhaps mail order can solve that one?
> Or perhaps a DNC machine? Not the best method but it might be easier
> On Jan 11, 2012 12:01 PM, <eric.schmidt at rogers.com> wrote:
>
> So, I've bitten the bullet after lots of lurking on the list, and have
> initiated our first "dad and kids" electronics project (ok, it'll be vastly
> "dad with kids looking on")
> We're going to make this metal detector:
> http://makeprojects.com/Project/Treasure-Finder/1113/1
>
> I'm just wondering how many of you have done PCB etching using the
> toner-transfer method.
> After going through a bunch of youtube videos on the etching process, some
> of them mention the stinkyness/toxicity of the fumes from the acid bath. I
> bought FeCl3 etchant from Active, but now I'm thinking that maybe HCL+H202
> would be better, as described here:
>
> http://www.instructables.com/id/Stop-using-Ferric-Chloride-etchant!--A-better-etc/
>
> Regardless of etchant, though, in mid-winter, doing it in the garage is
> probably out of the question due to the cold (or is it?) but I assume I
> have to ventilate the heck out of whatever space we use.
>
> any guidance on the etching process?
>
> Next question: for this project, you need to tune the reference coil using
> either an oscilloscope or a frequency-counting multimeter. Does the Lab
> have either of these? Cuz I don't...
>
> thanks in advance for any wisdom.
>
> cheers,
> Eric
>
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