Step 1 : Things you need!


Here are some of the things I used in the process. (Minus the drill, fish tank thermometer, timer, paper towels and various hand tools). Most of the pictures are recreated with water, not chemicals in the house. I DO NOT RECOMMEND ETCHING INDOORS. (This was the first time I’ve tried etching).

Step 2 : PCB Design



This is my design I made it from http://www.cadsoft.de “eagle” with their free soft ware. You can make a board 4” by 3.2” with the free ware.

Here is a page http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Lab/9643/TraceWidth.htm that has a trace width calculator to figure out what widths of trace to use for the amperage you want to put through them.

Step 3 : Transparence


You will need to have a transparence from a PCB program. I took a copy of my image to a local office supply store and had two transparencies photocopied. I did not like how one looked because I could see through the traces, so I taped two together. When making the image, you want to have the printed side down on a board. I made reference to this by placing the TOP backward on the paper. Make sure when you print your image that it will be the way you want it when you flip the transparence around.
Here is my transparence. You will also need a piece of glass for a weight, as it holds down the transparence on the board so that no light passes underneath the transparence.

Step 4 : Board and Chemicals

Get a piece of photo etching board (that comes in a black plastic bag), developer, and Ferric Chloride. I used the stuff from http://www.mgchemicals.com (see photo in step1). Yes, you can cut the board before making a board. Just be careful not to damage the photo resist by putting too much pressure on it.
The developer and Ferric Chloride are dangerous chemicals, so use common sense around them (use rubber gloves and eye protection). This is not a project to let the kids help you with. Keep them far away from this stuff!!

Step 5 : Time to start


Let’s get started! Get everything together you think you will need before beginning. You’ll need a dark place where it doesn’t matter if you make a mess. I used my garden shed. You could also do it at night outside. Work under safe light conditions, when you have the white covering peeled off of the board. A 40 W incandescent bulb works well. Do not work under a fluorescent light. I did not use a light bulb while I was working in the garden shed. I let in enough light through the door so I could just see.