Making PCB's with an easy UV-methode

Are you one of the people for whom making his own pcb's seems a bit of a daunting task or who can't spent a lot of money on fancy equipment?

Well I was until someone told me a cheap and easy way to make them!

This instructable will be an easy step by step guide for all of you who want to give it a try.

Step 1 What do you need?

What do you need to make your own PCB's?

1. PC and printer: I hope that you already have those, otherwise it will be expensive after all. I use a laserprinter.
2. Transparent slides: should be less than €0.50/sheet.
3. Indian ink: €2.20 for 20ml. That amount will last you ages.
4. Cotton buts: €1 for 250 or so
5. Paper towel: You will propably have that lying around.
6. Uv lightsource: I bought a secondhand Philips facial tanner for €5. You can find those things everywhere. They where very fashionable in the 80's but now everybody is trying to get rid of them.
7. Photo sensitive PCB boards: depending on where you get them, they should cost around €2 for a eurotype.
8. NaOH: Sodium hydroxide. I paid €1 for the amount needed to make 10 liters. You also can find it as declogger in you local hardwarestore.
9. Na2S2O8:Sodiumpersulfate. Costs about €3.50 for the amount needed to make 1 Liter.
10. 2 Plastic or glass containers: Should be for free.
11. Rubber gloves to protect your hands: The type that is used to do cleaning or the dishes. Should be around €2.
12. A photoframe: just a cheap one. Make sure that it can hold your pcb. Costs approx. 2.50€
13. Drillbits: 0.8mm and 1 mm will be fine for starters. Around 5€.
14. 2 empty 1L bottles: Should be free

Total price for you beginners kit: +/-  €25 (not bad eh?!)

Optional:

• A drillpress: cheap one will do
• greencoating

Comments

[paul.mackwood]

You do not print a negative. In Eagle you view the board looking from the top so when using a single sided board you just print the bottom layer as it is. The toner will be on the surface of the film and thus next to the board when exposed.
If making a double sided board, the top traces and pads will need to be printed mirrored so that the toner side of the print will be next to the board when exposed

[janw]

You are correct it should be 'mirrored' and not negative. (English is only my 4th language and I somethines can't find the correct words) I changed it.

But you should be aware that both layers need to be mirrored as some software prints the bottomside as seen from the bottom unlike Eagle.

[paul.mackwood]

I only speak 2 languages and I probaly can't speak your first language at all:-)
I only commented to make it clear for other readers. To this end, I repeat, if using Eagle, you do not print the bottom layer mirrored.

[janw]

Your comment was very much appreciated!

[HMBeck]

*NaOH. Sodium is Na, not NA.

[janw]

completely right! I'll change it.

[HMBeck]

I am compulsively annoying when it comes to grammar/chemistry/spelling.

[janw]

It's not annoying. I don't mind it if anyone points out a mistake or a typo.

[jeff-o]

*facepalm*

I'd been having TONS of trouble getting a dark enough pattern with my laser printer. This is just what I need! Now I can start using the photoresist method again.