PCB issues

Just wanted to let you all know not to use OfficeMax to get a laser print for your PCB designs. I have been using their laser photocopier to make my PCBs, and I could never get the same results I was seeing online. I finally got a Brother HL-5240, and now my PCBs are picture perfect. The ink actually sticks! Finally!

Also, the OfficeMax ink sucked. It stained my boards no matter which solvent I used. But the Brother ink will curdle and roll up using acetone, absolutely no staining. I am using the 1 part hydrochloric acid, 2 parts hydrogen peroxide, works great. Lukewarm solution and a sponge took 4 minutes to finish.

I am also working on tinting the boards blue with Trans-tint dye. They have blue, green, yellow, red, mahogany, ....etc. I will post some pics when I get the blue tint done. I used black, and it looks cool with the solder, good contrast.

I used a sponge with Ferric Chloride for a while. The fumes were too much for me. I am sure it is better if you can work under a hood.

Using a sponge and hydrochloric acid sounds scary.

Hcl and a Sponge??? Make a bubler tank!

well the HCl is pretty dilute, since you start with 38% and then mix it to 2 parts peroxide. So it comes to around 9% concentration. I use large nitrile gloves and goggles too. I do plan on making a bubbler tank though. I have a 1 gallon aquarium tank, but I do not know if the HCl will attack the seal. Anyone know if it will be safe?

Umm...Well I don't want to calculate the molarity of the HCL...but unless it's like 6+ I doubt it would do anything...It's probably less than 1 M.

I always keep a small container of baking soda nearby too, and also some dissolved in some water. Just in case, I am clumsy sometimes.

Would NaOH not work better? It's a stronger base...and the byproduct of mixing with HCl is NaCL (table salt).

You should be able to make proper HCl concentrations such that you'll never need to add a base.

It might, I only use the baking soda when I dispose of the mix. I have been making small boards so I only mix 8 oz of etchant.

Anyone know if this etchant is safe in an aquarium tank? I am not sure if it will eat at the seals, which seems to be silicone.