On Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:56:22 -0800, you wrote:

>On 2/26/2010 2:23 PM, Vitaliy wrote:
>> After a very long break, we decided to experiment with making in-house PCBs.
>> Normally we design PCBs for production, and get protos from places like
>> 4pcb.com.
>>
>> Last night we set up a makeshift lab, but ran into a small hiccup. This
>> morning, after a trip to Fry's Electronics to get the correct type of
>> developer, we developed&  etched our first PCBs:
>>
>> http://maksimov.org/piclist/pcb_etching/pcb_etching.jpg
>>
>> I guess there is something magical about the first time you see the bare
>> copper disappear before your eyes. :)
>>
>> Finished "product":
>>
>> http://maksimov.org/piclist/pcb_etching/overcurrent_alarm.jpg
>>
>> Last time I used a presensitized PCB method was all the way back in 2001,
>> and I've completely forgotten how quick and painless it is. We will
>> definitely use this process for all of our in-house projects going forward.
>>
>> I think the part that made it sound less attractive before, was the thought
>> of having to do all the drilling and the associated noise/dust/extra time.
>>
>> Just thought I'd share. :)
>>
>> Best regards,
>>
>> Vitaliy Maksimov
>> ScanTool.net, LLC
>> +1 623 582-2366
>> http://www.scantool.net
>>
>
>Would you care to provide a list of materials? Perhaps with methods? 
>I'm also looking at doing this again.  One distinct advantage of surface 
>mount parts - no need for holes.
>
>Although, if I had done your design, I would have put pads down anyway 
>in the corners to mark drill locations in the event I wanted to mount 
>the board with standoffs later.  And perhaps run the four I/O lines to a 
>1/10" header pattern in case that looked useful in the future.  If 
>un-needed, don't drill 'em.  But the effort to put them in the artwork 
>is minimal.  Just another view...

check out my page www.electricstuff.co.uk/pcbs.html for lots of info on making good PCBs. 

The one most important thing  for getting consistent results is to use silicate based developler,
not sodium hydroxide. 


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