DIY Equipment - What do you use ?

[jleaman]

iCebReakEr409 i have build the same etching tank my self.. how do you like your's..

[SY]

bigparsnip: Most art supply shops have all the stuff you need to do screen printing by hand- basically, you need a frame, some screen material, photoemulsion, and a squeegee. They'll probably also have some books teaching all the ins and outs. If you can wangle your way into the back of a custom t-shirt shop, you'll see exactly how it's done.

If you're near a college with an art department, that's a resource you can use. The stuff done for electronic screen printing is complex and irrelevant- you want to know how artists do it.

[nemestra]

Originally posted by iCebReakEr409
What do you use to design your cases ?
I have no clue yet. Does anyone know a cheap way to get some graphics and text on a case ? You could use some transfer foil, but this way it's not possible to print white text. And most cases are black, or dark at least...

I've used transfer graphics to get white text onto case panels. Letraset www.letraset.com do rub-on transfer text in black and white, though their white range is slightly more limited. It takes a very steady hand and a good eye to get it straight. Cover this with a couple of coats of clear laquer (aerosol) and it will last quite a while.

SY, I've printed T-shirts before but using cut paper patterns. Must have a look at this again.

James

[Shaun]

I've given up the messy business of PCB making. I use the local university lab for making my PCB's. It's quite cheap.

Shaun

[iCebReakEr409]

Originally posted by sam9

I don't bother trying to print a component layout on thr PCB. By the time I get to putting in components, I'm familar enough with it that a print out from the layout software is all I need to get things in the right place.

Yep, placing the components shouldn't be a problem. But I think it looks more professional with a layout print

Originally posted by JasonL
iCebReakEr409 i have build the same etching tank my self.. how do you like your's..

I haven't build it yet. I gotta order the components first. But it shouldn't be that much worse than a "real" tank ? How do you like yours ?

[Weazel]

dnt use the photo develop method to make pcbs u get glossy paper like out of a magazine u print ur circuit on it in a laser printer (printer that prints with powder ink) then u put it on the pcb and use a iron to transfer the imagae onto the pcb then soak pcb in water and rub the paper off the iron mkelts the ink onto the pcb