I have a project for myself and I got the PCB that has a solid copper back.

Does anyone one have etching experience, or do I have to do ghetto on this puppy??

solid copper board?
Plan very carefully where the lines will be, where the parts will fit, and make an accurate sketch.

Make sure the copper is very clean.
You then lay down some special tape on the copper, the tape will have circles where you will want to drill the holes for the insertion of components.

So once you have these tape lines on the board, make sure it is exactly how youwant it,
and then they have this special solution that will eat away the extra copper, it dissolves it, everywhere except where your lines are placed. You will have to lightly agitate the fluid over the board. Use a bowl or something that you do not care if it gets ruined, as in, don't use your wife'* best China dish.

After several minutes, the copper will be gone. Clean the board of extra solution
You now remove the tape, and the copper below the tape will be intact. You can now drill the holes where you want to place components.

I do not know where the copper-eating solution is available, perhaps radio shack?

ALSO - when laying the special board tape, make sure it is tight so the solution does not cause breaks in the copper track lines.

OR - you could get a pre-drilled board and just solder wires everywhere, but that is a sloppy way. When shopping for this stuff, the clerks may not know what the copper disolving solution is, they are not real bright, they are just there to sell the stuff.

I have pre drilled board with a solid copper back.

I know the concept, I may just resort to cutting out my lines instead of disolving it

how big of a board is it? By hand is going to get real old real fast, and messy.

If you're serious about it and may be doing lots of it, check out the Press & Peel product:

http://www.techniks.com/how_to.htm

Also, the etchant fluid is ferric chloride. Don't get it on stuff.

We have a prototyping tool at work that is similar to a dremel tool on an XY gantry. You program it to remove material between the 'wanted' areas.

I use a laser. It'* cleaner and faster, but probably out of your reach.

Get a different board. The one with holes, then use jumper wires instead on the backside to complete the circuit. When you know it works, put a thin layer of non-conductive epoxy (potting compound) on the back to protect everthing.

i think i know what he'* up to.

Fill us in

he might kill me...but i think it has to do with clearing the tails on the 96-99 series.

I could consider killing you....but you are wrong anyways

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edit for a few more pictures of my first board. Finished the 2nd of 6 tonight. Should be sexy when its all finished.

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