> ... They've changed to fluorescent > sensitive so now I have a fluorescent desk lamp. ... Sweet! > I've used a hacksaw and miter box, and the paper cutter. Paper cutter wins. You mean a paper guillotine!?!?!? If that's what you mean, it would be awesome, especially since I can never get it to cut paper perfectly straight anyway. Cheers. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Colin Constant" To: Sent: Wednesday, March 06, 2002 6:28 PM Subject: Re: [EE]: Making PCBs... > Please respond to pic microcontroller discussion list > > Sent by: pic microcontroller discussion list > > > To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU > cc: (bcc: Colin Constant-NR/RMD/Raytheon/CA) > > I'll try transparencies and invest > in some UV lamps, etc. > > You might not need UV lamps. The brand of boards I use (MG Chemicals) used to > be UV sensitive and I used a halogen desk lamp. They've changed to fluorescent > sensitive so now I have a fluorescent desk lamp. > > Questions: > - With the dry-transfer system, I'll be printing on the glossy side, > right? If so, that means I need to mirror my image then, right? > > No. You draw the pattern looking at the top of the board (actually, through the > top of the board) and when you print, you place the ink side against the bottom > of the board; so it's right way up. Same for photo method. > > - What's a good source for the small (1/32") drill bits. > > I get mine at Home Hardware here. They have them in HSS and carbide. > > - What about cutting boards? I just use a hacksaw, but it takes > some work to get it straight. Anything better/easier? > > > I've used a hacksaw and miter box, and the paper cutter. Paper cutter wins. > I'm about to experiment with a Dremel and cutoff wheel. They make standard, > fibreglass re-enforced, carbide, and diamond. > > > Thanks much everyone! > -Neil. > > Colin > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Pic Dude" > To: > Sent: Wednesday, March 06, 2002 11:47 AM > Subject: [EE]: Making PCBs... > > > Couldn't find a good answer to this in the archives or web, so... > > Trying to figure out how to make professional-quality PCB's at home. > These will be one-offs, so I'm avoiding the option of using a PCB service. > But I would like them to look professional. > > The Ferric Chloride etch method is great, and I have all the stuff for > that, but I always have 2 problems: drilling holes neatly, and laying > out the pattern onto the board. > > For the holes, I've circumvented the problem by surface-mounting my > components. It takes up a little more space, but I can mount one > circuit on top, and another on the back of the PCB, so I can actually > save space. For more complex circuits requiring a dual-sided PCB, > this is not so great though. Here's an example... > http://www.avn-tech.com/stuff/speedo_conv_pcb.jpg > > The real problem is laying out the pattern on the board. I can draw > some nice board layouts using a CAD program etc, but I've been using > rub-on transfers to create the circuit, and it never looks professional. > Been looking at the photo-sensitive board process, but that probably > means I need a laser printer. Most photo-copier places won't let me > put any special paper in their machines. > > However, I've heard/read that with the photo-sensitive process, once > I get a transparency with the circuit on it, I can lay the pattern out > under the sun, and don't even need a UV lamp. (Lots of sun here > in Texas!) > > I've seen the iron-on transfer system, but from the instructions, they > seem like they would be a major hassle to get perfect. > > Any thoughts, or options I may be missing here? My priorities are low > equipment/materials cost. Labor is not a problem ... see, getting > laid-off is not all bad. :-) > > > Cheers. > > -- > http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! > email listserv@mitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body > > -- > http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! > email listserv@mitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body > > -- > http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! > email listserv@mitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body > > > -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email listserv@mitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body