How hard is it to make diy PCBs if you’re a Noob ?

[HankMcSpank]

wrt to pcb milling, I thought visolate would be by saviour...(I spent way too long trying to master it) ...it turns out it was my curse.

Using voronoi regions sounds like an excellent way of cutting down on track cutting (track isolation) time...turns out it's also an even better way if increasing the stray capacitance on your final pcbs (not by a little...by a *massive* amount)

[Swarfing]

I would agree with you on that Hank. To have a go at routing pcb's though is a good way to practice with software wise though.

[dsc]

I'd say designing PCBs is not massively complicated if it's for simple circuits, where placements of elements is not that crucial. I've used EagleCAD before and got my head around it pretty quickly.

As far as cutting goes, I would've loved to have a CNC simply to cut the acid etched PCB down to the right size, especially when doing round shapes. Then again, if you can auto generate the g-code, I guess there's no quicker way. Just for laughs and to show acid etching works not so badly, here's a PIC based timer board I've done a long time ago:



this is the round PCB which could've used a CNC.

Regards,
dsc.

[Fivetide]

Wow thanks guys .. loads of advice there and ideas :) .. what do think of this and dont start with "Fuckin Maplins are crap" lol but they have a starter kit half price its looks like print iron and disolve.. thinks its wortha tenner punt to havea go ?

[dsc]

I'd say Maplins are crap, but it's where I got sodium persulphate which I couldn't get anywhere else. To make your board you need that, an iron, a blank PCB and ink printer. As always google is your friend.

That kit says etchant material, although doesn't specify what it is. Then again for a tenner, might be worth a try.

Regards,
dsc.

[Fivetide]

I'd say Maplins are crap, but it's where I got sodium persulphate which I couldn't get anywhere else. To make your board you need that, an iron, a blank PCB and ink printer. As always google is your friend.

That kit says etchant material, although doesn't specify what it is. Then again for a tenner, might be worth a try.

Regards,
dsc.

Looks like most of the stuff is in the kit .. whats an iron .. think I heard my ex once mention the word lol :)

1 pack assorted single-side copper boards
(10 x 8, 9 x 6, 8 x 6, 7 x 5, 6 x 4, 5 x 3)
1x tray for etching boards
1x tray for rinsing boards
1x 500g SP etchant
1x permanent etch resist pen
5x sheets of Press-n-Peel
1x 100ml approx. of Press-n-Peel stripper
1 pack 10 paper wipes
1 pair safety glasses
1 pack data sheets inc. Health and Safety coz your bloody stupid and we need to cover our arses !

Dudes if this strapping young lass can do it .. i'll be buggered if I cant at least make an attempt !
Natural blonde .. me thinks not ! “Start rubbing over it with a wet sponge “ , I have to admit this strangely aroused me ! :P

[GEOFFREY]

Fivetide, for a tenner I am sure you could do something with that. The kit looks do-able too! G.