(Mostly) easy PCB manufacture

Step 3: Prepare the blank board

Cut your board to size, leaving a little extra room around the edges. I use a hacksaw, which leaves some burrs. Smooth any burrs off with a dremel or small file. You want the copper surface to be as flat as possible. Sand the surface of the blank board with 400-600 grit sandpaper in both diagonal directions in a crosshatch pattern. Then, use acetone on a paper towel to clean the board as thoroughly as possible. Grease spots are your enemy! Scrub the board really well.

Comments

[Mr. Stealth]

Where do you get the board? What kind is it? An in-depth explanation would be nice.

[guerroloco]

It's an ordinary single-sided copper PCB "blank" from Radio Shack. You could get it from any of the usual online electronics parts places, for example http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/PCB-46/4-X-6-SINGLE-SIDED-PC-BOARD/-/1.html

[Mr. Stealth]

Ok. Thank you. I want to build the Ironman Arc Reactor by Honus and I need to know how to make my own PCB. You did a very good job at explaining this. Well done.