Re: [TCML] PC boards

["David Rieben" <drieben@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi all,

I have absolutely zero experience with building PC boards
and since my patience doesn't usually hold up too well work-
ing with tiny things and my 45 year old eyes don't see things
up close anymore w/out visual correction, I kind of doubt
that I ever will at this point. However, the one thing that I do
realize from reading these threads on how to etch the tracks
is that these are some quite dangerous chemicals that are used
for this purpose. 30-35% hydrochloric acid solution is very
strong (the swimming pool supply muriatic acid is approximately
the same strength hyrdocholric acid solution). Muriatic acid re-
leases a visible suffocating vapor when the cap is removed and
the liquid acid will quickly attack aluminum or concrete. The
H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) solution that you purchase at your
local drug store is 3% peroxide and 97% water! The extra oxy-
gen atom makes the normally stable water molecule very unstable
to release the rogue oxygen atom. A 30% peroxide solution would
be very corrosive and would severely bleach and burn skin upon
contact.I've heard that industrial strength 90% peroxide solution
poured on combustible material will cause spontaneous ignition!
Just a safety note - any chemical that can etch copper will likely
also "etch" human flesh! Be careful ....

David Rieben


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Aleš Chlubný" <chluba1@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "'Tesla Coil Mailing List'" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2008 4:52 AM
Subject: RE: [TCML] PC boards


> I'm using hydrochloride acid with hydrogen peroxide but with some
> modifications.
> Cool down concentated 30-35% HCl acid, it's required if you are going to
> etch large boards or you have not a lot of acid, because reaction are
> exothermic and high temperature isn't good for peroxide. Put the acid and 
> PC
> board into plastic container and add a few drops of concentrated 30%
> peroxid. Don't add peroxid directly to PC board but in distant corner and
> move with container to mix the solution (locally increased concentration 
> of
> peroxid can be dangerous for PC board). You can drive speed of reaction by
> adding more peroxid. If you aren't overshoot amount of peroxide, cooper 
> will
> dissolve fast but without any bubbles and fumes. If it bubbles, it can be
> due too fast reaction or high temperature. In this cases you can try to 
> cool
> down the solution.
> This method is the fastest and provides more capacity, with 1 bottle of 
> acid
> you can make a lot of PCB.
>
> Ales.
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx
> > [mailto:tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Scott Bogard
> > Sent: Monday, January 28, 2008 10:17 PM
> > To: tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
> > Subject: Re: [TCML] PC boards
> >
> >
> > Thanks guys,
> >      I am already using perf board, but I have acquired
> > enough parts to make 5 drivers, so I figured PC board would
> > be the way to go.  also does anybody have any experience with
> > this etching solution, it sounds pretty good to me, as I
> > already have all the ingredients.
> > http://www.instructables.com/id/Stop-using-Ferric-Chloride-etc
> > hant!--A-better-etc/
> > Thanks again.
> >
> > Scott Bogard.
> >
> > BunnyKiller wrote:
> > > As far as perf boards go, they are fine if you like wires. I prefer
> > > the perfboard with the square copper tabs on the bottom. It
> > allows you
> > > to place components and then use solder bridges to route the path
> > > along the squares. If you need to correct a path, simply
> > heat up the
> > > solder in the area to be corrected and tap the board to
> > remove solder.
> > > The only disadvantage to this method is the required amounts of
> > > solder....
> > >
> > > Scot D
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Peter Terren wrote:
> > >
> > >> You can still make some pretty significant things on
> > perfboard with
> > >> point to point wiring.
> > >> Here is a packed mag-lev board with 4 IC's that still runs
> > fine after
> > >> 2 years museum use.
> > >>
> > http://tesladownunder.com/Magnetic%20levitation.htm#Magnetic%20Levita
> > >> tion
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> Even more extreme is this completely point to point art
> > piece. There
> > >> is no perf board, everything is point to point and
> > supported by the
> > >> connections to the supply rail. Still works after 20 years. 8 IC's
> > >> and perhaps 100 components
> > >> http://tesladownunder.com/Electronics.htm#Pyramid
> > >>
> > >> Peter
> > >>
> > >>
> > >
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
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> > >
> > >
> >
> >
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