DIY Printed circuit board

[1787dude]

I have been trying to do this all fucking day man. this video seems better than most others. I WILL DO THIS LOL

[oOFRGOo]

is true?

[macobt]

You have choise wrong paper for transfer,you need photo glosy paper,try it.

[CodfishCatfish]

Oh yeah and other have used this grouping if it helps. Stannous Chloride 5 grams/liter

Sulphuric Acid (66 Be) 10 ml/liter

Thiourea 50 grams/liter

Use only distilled water or demineralised water.

Careful must be taken for Sulphuric acid over water.

[CodfishCatfish]

Thanks for that, you can get the same effect with

Stannous chloride 3.8 g/L,

Thiourea 49.5 g/L,

Sulfuric acid 12 ml/L,

temperature 80-120 degrees Fahrenheit. but always willing to try some other concoction.

Love to see your thru hole coating method as taken a while to get mine workable.

[CodfishCatfish]

Was the last solution Stannous Chloride?

[APDigitalLight]

@CodfishCatfish No. According to label, solution contains stannous fluoroborate, fluoboric acid and thiourea.

[AquaLedLighting]

@APDigitalLight Sorry, but a newbie question. Why use the liquid tin at the end? Since the copper is already exposed, why do you "add tin" if you will? Is it not enough to have the copper traces?

Thanks in advance,

[APDigitalLight]

@AquaLedLighting Tinning is optional step. Main purpose is to protect copper against oxidation and to provide excellent solderability.

You can also "tin" copper manually by applying molten solder onto copper tracks with soldering iron.

[yeshecan7]

@APDigitalLight thanks to your DIY, i have to convert my schematic to PCB first but i dont know how to do that. please can you let me know how to convert schematic to PCB please?

[APDigitalLight]

@yeshecan7 The simple way is to using Sharpie and ruler;-). I sent you e-mail.

[94vujke]

it's so... so beautiful!

[damnrightman13]

nice video man! real show!!

[shomzlezilebovic]

Great method! I tried it myself, worked like a charm. I used sodium persulfate instead of ferric chloride, but results are the same. I dunno how much time does it take to etch with ferric chloride, but with sodium persulfate it's about 45-60 minutes.

[CodfishCatfish]

@shomzlezilebovic 10 minutes at 50c is what I use. But easy to make a great etch tank with fish tank heater and fish tank bubbler to agitate the board and solution Brilliant results.

[shomzlezilebovic]

@CodfishCatfish i use really small amount of compound, just enough to cover the pcb completly. but i didn't agitate the solution except every now and then stirring with a plastic spoon. i will have to work something out about that

[newburyelectronics]

Impressive video

[noxvill]

Love it, that's sexy man I have to try that.

[secretst0ld]

brush your circuit board twice a day and visit your soldering iron 1000000 times a day

[izwanmohd]

Great video! if you have can put the list of items you use in the video description it show be perfect!

[HobiElektronik]

I'm sorry. This is the most beautiful and cleanest method. best wishes hobielektronik . com

[HobiElektronik]

I'm sorry. This is the most beautiful and cleanest method. best wishes

[hoangquocpro]

Thhanks for all :). i like this video. it is really useful and clearly to und. thanks, one more :)

[qualitycontrolrep]

Great video. I was wondering, have you ever tried using a xylene transfer pen instead of the iron on method? I'm curious to try this out, and xylene seems like it may be more effective as it is a toner based transfer method also.

[APDigitalLight]

@qualitycontrolrep I've never seen this stuff before. Some sort of solvent. I'm afraid it would be hard to get high quality toner transfer. Share your experience in case you've succeeded.

[qualitycontrolrep]

@APDigitalLight yeah, you're right. The quality of the xylene transfer is far inferior to the heated transfer method you use. Thanks!

[tunglour]

..Do you have to submerge the board in water right after heating the board with the iron?...

[APDigitalLight]

@tunglour Usually I let it cool down for a few minutes.

[smile0dont0cry]

Thank you for the informative video ^_^

[bagfinder]

How you do apertures for insertion components in the pcb?

[APDigitalLight]

@bagfinder I use Microlux PCB drill press from Micro-Mark.

[MrMooseful]

Bu with what software do you design the actual layout? Is it special software or just photoshop?

[APDigitalLight]

@MrMooseful Simple PCB can be drawn by hand but for complicated design it's more convenient to use special pcb design software.

There are some free versions like EAGLE Light Edition, PCB123...

[mbcyclery]

interesting video, but try using your orator skills instead of the annoying music and annotations.

[lastdrop08]

any kind of photo paper? or a particular type?

[APDigitalLight]

@lastdrop08 I use glossy laser photo paper from Staples (item 651611)

You can experiment with different glossy paper or use glossy magazine paper or backing paper from sticky labels.

[lastdrop08]

do you need a particular type of ink for it.. or just the paper?

[APDigitalLight]

@lastdrop08 This method works ONLY with laser printer because it employs physical properties of laser printer's toner.

Also you can use xerox to make copy of your artwork. Since xerox employs laser technology it should work the same way.

[arttuladhar007]

Why the heck you have to put that retard sound.

[slickvguy]

Good video -= most annoying music ever.

[dieselwarriordotcom]

Im about to buy some Liquid Tin... after making a few boards myself, I found the copper will oxidize over time... and solerability is not that good...

[XeonXR6]

excellent guide. exactly how I create my own prototypes. never have been able to find liquid tin either.

[TheRoknemec]

If you dont have Liquid Tin, go to your local Photo developer shop, and ask for used (depleeted) photo fixer (a silver based solution). It works very very well!

Cheers,

Rok

[humxa24]

is accetone and paint thinner same thing? if no can i use paint thinner instead?

[APDigitalLight]

@humxa24 Yes. Paint thinner contains acetone so everything will work, even nail polish remover "borrowed" from your GF;-)

[SigEpBlue]

@humxa24 Acetone is MUCH safer than paint thinner (a.k.a. reducer), in terms of human health hazards.

Many paint thinners have xylene in them, but just as a taste of the possibilities, the can of R-M UR-50 reducer I have in front of me contains: n-Butyl Acetate, VM&P Naptha, 1-Methoxy-2-Propyl Acetate, Solvent Naptha, Light Aromatic (64742-95-6), Butyl Glycol Acetate, and 1,2,4 Trimethyl Benzene.

Nothing you'd want to breathe regularly! Acetone is nowhere nearly as toxic, and it works great!

[ventureelect]

Dont peel the paper off. Just run hot water over the paper and it will fall off on its own.

Then soak a small paper towel in white vinegar to remove the white residue that the original paper left behind. Then etch. I have been using this method for many years.

[APDigitalLight]

@IndyBits It's available at electronic hobby store or online (digikey, ebay...).

[APDigitalLight]

@IndyBits It's a fiberglass plate laminated with thin copper foil.

[tominosik1]

BEST DIY video I have ever seen! Thanks!

[accentsa]

another alternative to printing a transparency would be to purchase a film positive. Some layouts require higher quality then a desktop printer can offer. Accent Publishing

in San Antonio does a great job. 210-654-9555

[vusiliyK]

Is there any way i can get the liquid tin at a store? I dont want to get it online

[APDigitalLight]

@vusiliyK Check your local electronic hobby store. If they sell PCB making chemicals they should have it.

[sotiris997]

I don't have Laser Printer. Aren't there any other ways of etching apart from the tonner method?

[APDigitalLight]

@sotiris997 There are many ways.

You can draw PCB manually with permanent marker,

you can buy PCB etching kit for photosensitive method or you can print your artwork using any printer

then make photocopy using xerox.

Xerox employs laser technology for printing so it should work with heat toner transfer.

[MrAnkolix]

thank you :)

[KyleCarrington]

What does the liquid Tin do?

[APDigitalLight]

@KyleCarrington Liquid tin provides excellent solderability and protects against oxidation.

[Formuling]

Man...I've watched this 2o times already just to vibe off the song!..dang I love it!!! Good vid on the PCB man. I needed this! Youre a genius!!

[sonofscream]

oooh ver fast method, never i thought in a sponge!!

[CentralNintendo1]

I hate People who put shit music in the background

[eagl02]

What song is this?

[APDigitalLight]

@eagl02 It's my own composition.

[lisa30ago1989]

@APDigitalLight HELLO, I LOVED THAT BEAUTIFUL MUSIC CAN MAKE IT PLEASE, PRETTY MUCH DO THAT THERE PLEASE, THANK GOD, AND I ALSO

[a4d2d0]

@lisa30ago1989 I think it was made on FL studios (Fruity Loops) free download via torrent websites.

[Antonom86]

I agree with you. I thing it was made by FL studio.... ;)

[eshvartz]

@APDigitalLight Good job mate

[spongerdude7]

@APDigitalLight can i have it?

[APDigitalLight]

@spongerdude7 I sent you PM with link

[WindowsDevPro]

@APDigitalLight Could I get a copy of that, its really been sticking in my head, lol.

[APDigitalLight]

@WindowsDevPro I sent you PM with download link.

[DFskyjet169]

very good what is the green plack to make the imprimed circuit please

[APDigitalLight]

@DFskyjet169 Sorry, I didn't get your question. Are you talking about green pad that I used to clean copper board? 

[leeYT321987]

I'm a beginner.

Maybe you have a good reason not to, but if you filled a lot of the empty space with a ground plane, you will use less etchant. I've never purchased/used Liquid Tin though -- maybe it's more expensive than etchant.

Also, anyone how wants to etch might, instead of ferric chloride, look into "cupric chloride". It can be regenerated so doesn't require disposal, BUT really research this because the chemicals and fumes are more DANGEROUS, AND EVEN THEIR STORAGE my require some work.

[APDigitalLight]

@leeYT321987 I use ground plane in all my recent designs.

Liquid tin is expensive but it gives PCB professional finish. Tinning process consumes very small amount of tin so 500 mg bottle will last for a long time.

I definitely will use more progressive etchant after I run out of my stock of ferric chloride. 

[WakkoXtreme]

don´t anybody dump the chemicals down the drain cause if you get cut , you´ll get hung by the balls

[Nyleus21]

When doing the heating process, how would you know if the toner has melted on the copper?

[APDigitalLight]

@Nyleus21

I've determined time experimentally. In my case initial press and hold phase is 30 -60 sec long and ironing phase is 60 - 120 sec long.

Time may vary with board area and thickness, paper being used, iron temperature etc.

When you do it yourself, after few trials you'll find all conditions of getting best result.

[Arend8917]

@APDigitalLight:

Is it really photo paper? Because I've try to put my iron on it and the paper starts to shrink. Maybe a bit to hot?

[APDigitalLight]

@Arend8917 It's a paper for laser printers to print high quality pictures from digital camera.

This kind of paper is intended to withstand high temperature of printer's fuser without physical distortion.

[jdxcc]

Worst music ever

[youngflungdung]

Worst song ever made

[rasabayle]

When printing the original impression of the circuit in the photopaper, should i need to invert the it??? ...

[APDigitalLight]

@rasabayle Yes, you should print mirror image.

[gammadude9000]

ive tried toner transfer with an iron, but nothing sticks to the copper, even though i set it to max setting. is there anything else that i can use for toner transfer?

[APDigitalLight]

@gammadude9000 Some printers may use toner with melting point that higher than maximal temperature of your iron. Iron should be hot enough to cause toner to melt and stick to copper.

Try to transfer image from one sheet of paper onto another blank sheet of paper, just to see if iron can melt toner or you may have to use different printer or xerox.

[gammadude9000]

@APDigitalLight thanks

[kartman74usa]

Ur vid its amazing...i have some questions, where did u buy the PCB where i can buy it? can I buy PCB a different sides? what is isopropanol? whats the commercial name? ty soo much...

[APDigitalLight]

@kartman74usa

PCB is made from copper clad board.

Copper clad board is available at any electronic hobby store. You can buy one or double sided board of different size.

Isopropanol is a isopropyl alcohol. It's should be available at drug store as a rubbing alcohol.

For cleaning purpose use only pure alcohol in a 99% concentration.

[N2CUA]

@APDigitalLight search ebay for PCB Laminates ..  great material and great prices . .nice guy ..

[dodgedart74]

i sudjest you just drop the board into the etching solution, if you rub it around you run the risk of rubbing off the layer of press and peel circuit.

[3351drago]

what kind of papir do i need pleas i tried evrything but when i put it in to the water the papir falls down.

[APDigitalLight]

@3351drago You can use any glossy photopaper for laser printer or even paper from fashion magazines.

Some printers use toner with very high melting point and temperature of iron may be too low to cause toner to melt and stick properly to paper.

You may try to use different printer or xerox.

[3351drago]

@APDigitalLight thanx man.

[SEbbaTheHacker]

8 people stuck their head in the printer

[trailbusterbrute]

I want to do this. I have found a circuit on the internet that i need to use, but I can't get it to print to the scale of my circuit board. It prints out like 1/2 a page, and my board is only 2x3. My drawing program I downloaded doesn't seem to have the socket spacing that I need for a 555 timer socket, so redrawing it has been a failure. I would like to just print the picture and etch it. Any suggestions?

[APDigitalLight]

@trailbusterbrute You may use any graphic editor to scale picture.

Also your printer may stretch image to fit paper size. Check printer settings to see if you can manually set 100% scale of normal picture size.

[andrewyaoauatauabaea]

Also, I am a high school student and we had to use a vocal-less song for our presentation video and I used yours. :)

[smoshlover01]

What is this used for ? O.o

[APDigitalLight]

@smoshlover01 Printed circuit board (PCB) is a base part of any electronic device.

This video shows how to fabricate home-made PCB for electronic hobby projects.

[shenalwd]

what happens if i put my hand on that ferric chloride thing???

[APDigitalLight]

@shenalwd

Nothing terrifying will happen if you'll wash your hands immediately.

Ferric chloride stains everything and if your skin too sensitive skin it may cause allergic reaction.

You should develop habit of using rubber gloves and safety goggles when working with ANY chemicals.

[shenalwd]

how can i get peel n press paper?? i tried this with papers from a magazine, not bad :)

[APDigitalLight]

@shenalwd

I've never used it because I'm happy with my photo paper.

You may look at local electronic hobby shop or try on-line supplier like Digikey

[trovicho]

You still have to drill the board to make the vias and that would require more time. Otherwise, it looks interesting for a home-made PCB board

[earzcd]

Excellent video. Very thorough. I'll definitely be using this process

@happygamestvfun - The special marker can be substituted with a Sharpie brand permanent marker. Other permanent markers may work as well but I have only tried the Sharpie. After the board is etched in the acid, just use acetone or isopropyl alcohol to remove the marker lines.

[macgyveremir]

Man, where did you get that liquid tin from?? I've been looking for such a thing for ages!!

[APDigitalLight]

@macgyveremir From local electronic hobby shop.

See video description to find link to list of chemical distributors. 

[andrewyaoauatauabaea]

What are those on the board? indents? or some conductive material?

[APDigitalLight]

@andrewyaoauatauabaea It's laser printer's toner, if I got your question right.

Can you be more specific.

[andrewyaoauatauabaea]

@APDigitalLight

What are the lines shown in the schematic?

[APDigitalLight]

@andrewyaoauatauabaea Lines are represent electrical circuits of PCB. They are formed by toner that was transferred from paper.

During etching process all exposed copper will be dissolved by solution and only areas covered with toner will remain on board.

After removing toner with acetone PCB is ready for drilling and soldering.

[andrewyaoauatauabaea]

@APDigitalLight

Oh and I assume it is only one layer of copper and not the whole thing then?

Thanks for all of the help.

[APDigitalLight]

@andrewyaoauatauabaea

Correct. It's only thin copper foil laminated onto non-conductive fiberglass board.

[cheezeheads]

great vid, i wish it didnt take so long and so many things though

[PSPortalMaker]

BTW, are boards from factories lacquered giving them a green appearance?

[APDigitalLight]

@PSPortalMaker Yes, it's called solder mask. Main purpose is to protect and isolate etched copper layer and prevent solder from bridging between traces.

[PSPortalMaker]

name of song please?

[APDigitalLight]

@PSPortalMaker This song is my home-made music.

[ubuntupokemoninc]

what kind of board is that and were did you get it?

[APDigitalLight]

@ubuntupokemoninc This is controller PCB for my laser spirograph project. I have another videos about it on my channel. Spirograph is completely designed by me. BTW, controller is available as DIY kit.

[devindevon59]

Date a Asian lady # lushfmlk.info #

[UltimateTechGuru]

finally after the liquid tin, what is the liquid you used to wash the pcb? I am assuming it as water!!

[APDigitalLight]

@UltimateTechGuru Correct. It's tap water.

[SCRTpilot]

Are there companies you can send your design (and some money) to and get your custom PCB back?

I like this but I don't dig the chemicals.

[APDigitalLight]

@SCRTpilot There are plenty of them and you can even order only one board but it may be expensive. It's always better to make and debug one prototype on a perfboard and then order small batch of factory-made PCBs.

Search for pcbinternational, batchpcb, pcb123, futurlec...

[liquidkernel]

Awesome! Been watching lots of videos on DIY PCB etching, and this one is very thorough. Had no idea about liquid tin! Would be IDEAL for SMD/SMT projects on your own PCBs.

[derian1122]

Where do u get the patterns?

[APDigitalLight]

@derian1122

For this particular board artwork is manually drawn using PCB editor.

[CartoucheDi]

merci bcp 

[sanjubluerock3]

very nice...

[chrislpp]

cheers, you can get the blanks at maplin in the uk

[shashankparab]

This is Great, You know, i used to waste almost an hour to get PCB ready by Diluting the FC chemical and then rotate the water using motorised FAN !.

Never thought that i can immerse the PCB in the FC directly. It's really painful to wait for PCB to be ready and etched.

Thanks !

[amino0o]

THIS MUSIC IS DESTROYING MY SOUL!

[s8966pt]

that music is rapping my mind

[iamsuperbleeder]

very good how to video; thanks!

[AnnikaSkywalkr]

So the laser jet ink protects portions of the copper on the board from being dissolved? That's awesome. I would like to eventually print my own boards to save a ton of money. Thanks!

[saledigitalac]

I tried this with a bit quality HP ink jet printer but contacts and lines are almost invisible :0. Tomorow i have to try with laser printer, and hopefully it would be better.

And BTW is there water in this Iron?.

[APDigitalLight]

@saledigitalac

This method works only with laser printer or photocopier because it employs physical properties of toner.

There's no water in iron. Paper must be well heated and firmly compressed against copper. We don't need hot steam here.

[saledigitalac]

@APDigitalLight It worsk with laserjet, many thanks for help AP :)

[Camsynth]

@APDigitalLight will it work with an HP Deskjet?

[APDigitalLight]

@Camsynth It doesn't work with any ink jet printers. Ink cannot be separated from paper by heating. Only toner for laser printer has such a property therefore only laser printer or laser photocopier (xerox) will work.

[gogalicio]

A most illuminating video! It of course begs the question of how the home-made fertiliser ACTUALLY performs on your much acclaimed prized peonies. I couldn't fathom the purpose of the intricated design of the paddle, I can only guess that the local customs which prevail have not a large amount of superstition under which followers beleive designs of a most intricate nature ensure a good yield in the following harvest.

However, a nice video nontheless.

Rt Hon Sir Edward Flop-Dongler QC

[cumesoftware]

For better and even etching, you should pour the ferric cloride on a tray, lay the board there and wait.

[ipromisenot]

The chemicals are reusable until they are exausted, but dont pour them back into the fresh stuff. Keep them in a seperate container, then dispose of them when they no longer work. Old acid makes for longer etch times, and that makes ragged edges on the traces.

For more important projects, you may want to start with fresh.

I prefer ammonium persulphate, heated, and stays clear (uncolored) until it's time to replace (turns clear blue), & works fast.

Ferric is just too messy & stains everything.

[w1ldyovvnz]

So the thing being taped onto the paper is copper right?

[APDigitalLight]

@w1ldyovvnz It's copper clad board i.e. fiberglass board with laminated copper foil.

[chrislpp]

@APDigitalLight

where is the best place to get the blank copper/fibreglass boards?

[APDigitalLight]

@chrislpp

I'm not sure what place is best.

For urgent needs I go to local hobby electronic store.

For bulk purchase and discount price I search on ebay or any other on-line supplier.

[chrislpp]

@APDigitalLight

is there a technical name for the boards or is it just ''blank PCB''?

[APDigitalLight]

@chrislpp

It's called copper clad board (or PC board).

For common project you can select one-sided(copper applied only onto one side of board) or two-sided board.

Board thickness is 1/16" or 1/32".

[240SSONLY]

i had no freekin idea... wow, great tech work... thank you stumble upon

[Gvantya]

I'm very new to this subject, I'm attempting to build a prototype computer, is it possible to round the surface of the PCB, or to make it pliable to the point it could wrap around a spherical base?

[APDigitalLight]

@Gvantya

You may consider to use flexible PCB.

I sent you PM with link. 

[happygamestvfun1]

WOW i just use a special marker for my eching, so this is how the comercial CBP baords get such stright lines!! how thin can i make the lines? and why do the profesinal boards have some sort of green platic over them? and how does the comerical boards have time to make so many boards this prosses takes for agaes!

[APDigitalLight]

@happygamestvfun1 Heat toner transfer is applicable only for home prototyping when you need only few boards.

Commercial PCB is made using photosensitive method.

Single PCB design is multiplied to cover whole area of standard cooper sheet (few sq. feet).

After etching and tinning sheet is laminated with green solder mask to protect traces and prevent solder bridging.

When process is completed sheet is cut to separate individual boards.

[happygamestvfun1]

nice muik and interesting show

[lildrida]

Did you really need to use that much liquid tin? O.o

[APDigitalLight]

@lildrida

Of course not.

Liquid tin is available in small bottle too but 500ml bottle is more common to find

and since deposited layer of tin is only few mkm thin, big bottle last forever.

[Sh0w3rH3ad]

would this work with a ink-jet printer instead of a lazer printer?

[APDigitalLight]

@Sh0w3rH3ad

No.

Since this method employs physical property of printer's toner only laser printer will work.

[MarioAxl]

and what circuit was that hahaha the ferric Chloride is not reusable after certain use check it is better if you mix it a portion with water and take care where you dispose it

[igrewold]

How much did this project cost you?

[APDigitalLight]

@igrewold Which project are you talking about?

[igrewold]

this very work.

[APDigitalLight]

@igrewold It costs almost nothing to me.

Now to make PCB I need only copper clad and spare time. All chemicals and equipment I've acquired long time ago.

[APDigitalLight]

@igrewold

To start making PCB at home you need - monochrome laser printer; - glossy photopaper (magazine paper may work); - household iron; - ferrum chloride or alternative etchant (1 liter bottle will last for ages); - liquid tin (most expensive chemical but it's optional); - copper clad (only thing you'll have to buy frequently); - small drill press or dremel rotary tool; - set of high speed steel drill bits 0.5 - 2 mm

[Davewerld]

Hi, no matter how hard or how long I press and rub with the corner of the iron I dont get the printed sheet to stick to the board. I have cleaned it, rubbed with the isopropyl alcohol, made sure the board was clean. I am using the same paper you use, Staples 651611 and a color laser printer HP 1215 set to black and white only. I get some transfer of the toner, but it stays very light and certainly won't be enough for a good etching. Any ideas what I am doing wrong?

[APDigitalLight]

@Davewerld Heat transfer works only if paper's temperature is higher than toner's melting point.

I think iron is not hot enough or paper is too thick.

Try different kind of paper or even thin magazine paper.

You can also make photocopy of your artwork (set high contrast) and try it too.

[KingWarg]

Can this be used to create double sided PCBs?