Home cnc / board etcher

No, but it's on my list of things to do when I get some time over and can figure out how to not get ruined in the process. Started looking at it about three weeks ago but have no good tips to share yet.

 

v Great how to for making 100% homemade factory looking pcb.

http://www.fullnet.com/~tomg/gooteepc.htm

It's hard however to find the correct paper/toner combination.

The page is a real mess, but it worth reading it all..

 

I've made a few with mixed success, only problem have always been the exposure step as I've never had any good setup for it.

 

Is possible doing homebrew soldermask?

 

With the printer method I liked to, you can but it's to be black not white

 

Nono, I mean the green protective coat.

 

Ha ok, I don't know what kind of stuff is used for that but i believe you could buy that and them applying it with some kind of paintbrush painter.

 

DIY CNC isn't a good idea unless you're intimately knowledgeable about the machine you're building since it will require customization for your target and of course significant troubleshooting. Generally building someone else's project doesn't work out unless you can make it your own.

As for PCBs, it's not a big deal to drill your own vias, and if the precision necessary is too high, you'll need to send away for the PCB anyway. What kind of PCB are we talking about? For any PCB really if you plan to make many to sell, I really don't think the quality will be sufficient nor will it be cost effective to do it yourself.

 

If I understand what your saying assembler,

You want to build a printed circuit board?

Don't use radio shack kit what ever you do, it sucks!

 

The bi-products are very tasty, just so you know..

 

Try: http://www.retroleum.co.uk/makingPCBs.html

He is an old buddy of mine and really knows his stuff.

 

That method is for doing professional and complicated PCBs, i don't think that ASSEmbler is planning to do something really complicated. I recommend using the method that DarthCloud posted, i've done a few PCBs using that method and they looked awesome, you should try it, just one advice, you must use the best glossy paper you can find and you also have to use the best possible laser printer you can find. I will post some pictures of a PCB i made some time ago when i find it.

 

What? No. If you actually read it, you will see with a small cost (<$100) you can etch your own PCBs, which is exactly what Assembler asked for.

You can do that he says but using a permanent marker to mark the traces if you prefer. Then use a solvent to remove the marker after the copper has been etched. It is really quite an easy process.

 

I perfer the photo method my self. :nod:



I'am alittle rusty in this area though, haven't touch anything since the 80's. When I did try and go back I had found I had forgotten alot of things. :banghead:

 

Have you seen this one? I have been searching for a affordable system myself.

http://www.hobbycnc.com/products/cnc-router-plans/