DIY PCB's

[enzedone]

I found this excellent web site for making your own PCB's
Here is the information in a PDF format if anyone is interested

Sorry pdf was too large

Here's the site:

http://www.riccibitti.com/pcb/pcb.htm

It uses cheap paper from mailers instead of the expensive photo paper.

I have it in pdf if anyone wants it, but it's 3.2mb.

[MJL21193]

Been that, done there.

The photo paper recommended by Tom Gootee gives better results and is very available and pretty cheap.

[enzedone]

I was going to use Glossy inkjet photo paper, but then saw this article
So you think that photo paper is still the way to go?

[Bonsai]

wow - some great tricks.

I have never had any real success with making my own boards. I was lucky enough to work at an electronics company that used to do its own boards in-house (NTHP but double sided) and I befreinded the PCB dept manager. Over a period of 15 years, he made me dozens of boards for my personal projects ('PJ's').

For smaller boards, the techniques presented look easy - so I might give this a try again.

[cuibono]

Over the period of a few years, I've gotten a good hold on using Eagle, and how to do pcb's from glossy photo paper. It takes a lot of patience and trial and error, but I highly recommend it. I wouldn't be able to do most of what I do without it. It allows for a lot more creativity..

[enzedone]

O.k I will have to have a play with this photo method and see what happens

[GK]

That looks interesting but if you have a printer that does a good job on transparencies and enough ingenuity to knock up a UV light box, with off-the-shelf resist coated PCB laminate you can make boards for just about anything.
I’ve designed and etched thousands of prototype SMD boards this way over the years.
6 thou tracks are doable – really cr@ppy picture attached (sorry, no macro lens on phone) of 8 thou tracks to a quad flat pack with 19 thou lead spacing, which is still relatively easy to solder with the right bit.

Cheers,
Glen

[mightydub]

Originally posted by G.Kleinschmidt
That looks interesting but if you have a printer that does a good job on transparencies and enough ingenuity to knock up a UV light box, with off-the-shelf resist coated PCB laminate you can make boards for just about anything.

I agree. I have had excellent results with laser printed transparencies. I print the transparency twice to make sure I get a solid black, then expose the resist for 10 minutes under a desktop fluorescent lamp with a "true daylight" bulb. I use a sheet of glass from a picture frame to keep the transparency flat against the board.

[enzedone]

I would have no idea how to make one of these up. And it would only be worth while if your going to make a lot of boards.?

Does anyone have plans and/or a web page to show how to make one of these?

[Juergen Knoop]

UV light box?
I have 8W UV-A tubes lying around, please suggest box geometry and mounting height for best exposure!
regards