Not sure if a class like this has ever been given, wanted to know if folks that don’t know how to make their own PCB circuit boards using the acid etching technique. Would be an outside saturday class more than likely.
Could be a useful home alternative to the laser and the cnc PCB tools.
If I want to make through-hole pcb’s would I hand drill them after etching?
yes, i use a dremel with micro drill bits.
I add small drill holes to the pads to help guide the drill bit, finish it off with a tinning solution to protect the traces.
Would love to see this at DMS. Please do and let us know if you need assistance with the class.
I would be interested in this class. Thanks
Do you know if the space has a laser toner printer?
You have my interest. If I know when the class is before hand I can make arrangements to be there.
Not a problem, when i first joined i asked Stan about a class like this, it will have to be done outside due to the muriatic acid fumes.
It’s a cool way to make your own single sided printed circuit boards.
Here’s one i did years ago with a black core.
You can also do some pretty cool art patterns as well, so doesnt have to be electronics or science based.
[Expression of interest]
Although a class on design would be nice too — understand I am not asking you to do that. It’s just something I’ve wanted since I joined, but nobody has ever offered that I was aware of!
Will this go over PCB CAD programs like KiCAD or Eagle too?
@rablack97, the Xerox printers in the common room are laser toner printers.
Nice Thank you…
Eagle Cad is a 3-4 hour class all by itself, I can’t say i know all of the ends and outs about Eagle cad, but i know enough to be proficient.
I’ve done a couple of dual layer boards using eagle (does anybody know if we have eaglecad at the space?)
That would probably need to be separated from this class I used an old XP program called pad2pad as well.
I will admit, I probably dont use the software as it should be with schematics etc, so someone with more knowledge than myself would be better suited for an eagle cad class. I just know the basics, routing, traces, component creation.
Just a reminder that if you use the printers at the space to create your artwork, there is a small fee associated with each page printed. Information is on the wall behind the printers.
No worries, 2 pages tops for the class. Thx for the heads up.
Seems these two might benefit from cross-promotion; Eagle will be covered in what I imagine will be a rapid/crash pace:
Oh and… add mine to the show of interested hands for the etching class.
It would be interesting to plate the vias and to apply a soldermask…
Can’t this technique be used for jewelry as well? I remember doing something very similar in metals during my college years.
If so- are you willing to open up the spectrum to that as well.
Those 2 processes are hard to do and kind of costly, I’ll just be doing a single layer presentation for quick and dirty circuit boards. I tried dual layer boards and the process is very tedious.
The class is open to whomever, so if anyone can apply the method to their own projects by all means do so.
I totally agree, this class will help you with eagle for sure.
I also forewarn this technique does not do very well with super thin traces or a ratsnest type design, so if your trying to do this with very detailed design, then sending it to fab is a better alternative.
I would attend this class! I have previously made circuits off the CNC machine, but it appears to be MIA currently. I was going to learn the acid method one way or another, may as well be in a class!
Not missing. It is in the electronics lab (what is left of it). Someone stole all of the electronics and motors off of the machine. 
