Where to buy PCB etching components? - Electronic Circuits Projects Diagrams Free

mattg2k4 · 7th May 2003, 06:21 AM

What is a good place to buy, in decent volume, the boards, which are plain copper, not UV sensitized, and the etching solution. I've looked at jdr.com so far, and they have good prices on the boards, buy I can't find the solution. They have an etching kit here. but it doesn't list etching solution as an included item. I'd think a kit would include solution, wouldn't you?

Just to estimate what I want, at least enough boards and solution for 10 5"x5" (or so) singled-sided boards.

I plan to use the toner method to do the etching.

Scubasteve · 7th May 2003, 07:36 AM

Try to find something local is your best option. I found some decent 1oz 6" X 12" single sided boards from a local shop for 60cents each. I also found a litre of ferric chloride for 12$ at another place down the street.

Chemicals are always good to find locally, since the shipping is outrageous. Do not go to digikey for PCBs, their prices are ridiculous on them.

Steve

Dean Huster · 8th May 2003, 02:45 AM

Try Kelvin Electronics 800-535-8469 http://www.kelvin.com

They were moving as of May 2000 so that phone number may not be any good, but probably is. Kelvin targets schools for their sales but will sell to anyone. They have a lot of interesting items as well as ammonium persulfate, the etchant I prefer.

Dean

Scubasteve · 8th May 2003, 03:22 AM

Yeah,, Ammonium Persulphate is a lot less messy and you can see when the board is etched, rather then pulling it out all of the time to see.
Ferric Chloride provides a better etch though, or so I have heard.

Steve

mattg2k4 · 9th May 2003, 03:00 AM

Kelvin seems to have pretty good prices on the circuit boards and chemicals. I may order some stuff from them.

What kind of stores should I check for the etching chemicals? There is only one decent non-Radio Shack electronics store withing 20 mins of where I live that I know of, and they don't carry the stuff.

I guess I'll try both ammonium persulphate and ferric chloride, and see which I prefer.

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7th May 2003, 06:21 AM	(permalink)
mattg2k4	Where to buy PCB etching components? What is a good place to buy, in decent volume, the boards, which are plain copper, not UV sensitized, and the etching solution. I've looked at jdr.com so far, and they have good prices on the boards, buy I can't find the solution. They have an etching kit here. but it doesn't list etching solution as an included item. I'd think a kit would include solution, wouldn't you? Just to estimate what I want, at least enough boards and solution for 10 5"x5" (or so) singled-sided boards. I plan to use the toner method to do the etching.

7th May 2003, 07:36 AM	(permalink)
Scubasteve	Try to find something local is your best option. I found some decent 1oz 6" X 12" single sided boards from a local shop for 60cents each. I also found a litre of ferric chloride for 12$ at another place down the street. Chemicals are always good to find locally, since the shipping is outrageous. Do not go to digikey for PCBs, their prices are ridiculous on them. Steve

8th May 2003, 02:45 AM	(permalink)
Dean Huster	Kelvin Try Kelvin Electronics 800-535-8469 http://www.kelvin.com They were moving as of May 2000 so that phone number may not be any good, but probably is. Kelvin targets schools for their sales but will sell to anyone. They have a lot of interesting items as well as ammonium persulfate, the etchant I prefer. Dean __________________ Dean Huster, Electronics Curmudgeon Contributing Editor emeritus, "Q & A", of the former "Poptronics" magazine (formerly "Popular Electronics" and "Electronics Now" magazines). R.I.P.

8th May 2003, 03:22 AM	(permalink)
Scubasteve	Yeah,, Ammonium Persulphate is a lot less messy and you can see when the board is etched, rather then pulling it out all of the time to see. Ferric Chloride provides a better etch though, or so I have heard. Steve

9th May 2003, 03:00 AM	(permalink)
mattg2k4	Kelvin seems to have pretty good prices on the circuit boards and chemicals. I may order some stuff from them. What kind of stores should I check for the etching chemicals? There is only one decent non-Radio Shack electronics store withing 20 mins of where I live that I know of, and they don't carry the stuff. I guess I'll try both ammonium persulphate and ferric chloride, and see which I prefer.