Private board etching?

Thread Starter

Robin Mitchell

Joined Oct 25, 2009
819
Would anyone here etch boards for me?
Pleeeeaaassseee.....

Dont mind paying as long as its not as much as those sodding companies!
:rolleyes:
 

Thread Starter

Robin Mitchell

Joined Oct 25, 2009
819
well, quite a few diffrent boards with small traces. However i think the boards will end up being not too big :)

Layouts, well here is one:


Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Also, if you want i could mail you the circuit board layouts on laser printer paper. That way you could use the toner method...
And if you want the eagle file i have it :p
 

jpanhalt

Joined Jan 18, 2008
11,087
Does it pass DRC? What are your trace widths? What clearances do you allow? There are some pretty close traces and pads. Do you need plated through holes for your vias, or are you willing to use bare wire as a workaround? What weight copper do you need? Do you need a solder mask and artwork?

That will not be an easy board for a DIY. Most important, what are you willing to pay and will such payment be contingent on the board working? How will you make the payment, before starting the work or do you want it to be COD? Will your mother let you pay for it?

Bottom line, I think you are better off running ERC and DRC until it is error free. Then get it done by a commercial board house.

John
 

marshallf3

Joined Jul 26, 2010
2,358
Trust me, the toner transfer method isn't as easy as most web pages lead you to believe and it's a lot of work that can easily become frustrating. You find a particular paper and toner that work well, next thing you know the manufacturer has changed the paper or toner on you. I've got a couple I need to do today (SMD RF boards don't prototype) so having a good print in hand I'm going to Kinkos and going to have them make copies on a number of different papers in hopes one will work.

I was doing fine until Staples changed their basis glossy photo paper. Finally found another paper that worked then not long afterwards the printer I've been using at work to get nice, heavy coverage (Savin with factory Savin toner) stopped working the way it used to, apprently they changed their factory toner.

I'm about >< this far from dragging my old B&W darkroom equipment back out.
 

shortbus

Joined Sep 30, 2009
10,050
For your paper trials, make sure you also advertising or magazine pages to the list of things to try. By advertising paper I mean the glossy adds like Kohl's or Sears that the put in the Sunday newspaper, like a mini catalog.

People think that because it already has printing on it and is basically free, that it can't work. But it has the right surface to hold and release the toner, for transfer to the board.
 

marshallf3

Joined Jul 26, 2010
2,358
For your paper trials, make sure you also advertising or magazine pages to the list of things to try. By advertising paper I mean the glossy adds like Kohl's or Sears that the put in the Sunday newspaper, like a mini catalog.

People think that because it already has printing on it and is basically free, that it can't work. But it has the right surface to hold and release the toner, for transfer to the board.
Kinko's won't print on it and neither of my home laser printers will work. One has magnetic toner, the other doesn't print thick enough regardless of where it's set.

Doesn't matter, I've got a theoretically simple math problem I can't get to solve, I think my brain is wanting the weekend off.
 
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