Items required:
-Copper board (in this case single sided)
-Sharpie pen
-Etchant (Ferric chloride)
-Plastic containers
-Rubber gloves
-Cotton
-Nail polish remover
PCB prototyping helps provide a robust temporary circuit for proof of concept or a cheap way to build a circuit and free up space on your project board for other projects.
Here I needed a 12V supply but there wasn't enough space on my project board for it. So a prototype board is a fast and cheap way to clear up some space.
I did it the quick and dirty way. Drawing my circuit with a Sharpie pen on a single sided copper board. Didn't even bother to clean up the surface before I started drawing. 2 coats of Sharpie covered the circuit.
Once the ink has dried, time to remove the unwanted copper. Prepare your etchant, in my case I used ferric chloride. Remember that it is corrosive, so protective gear and well ventilated work area is a must. Always use plastic to hold corrosive liquids. I prepared the etchant and placed my board in it. I poured warm water in a bigger container to heat the smaller container that has the etchant.
As you can see in the picture above, I mucked up on the first board. Basically my thumb touched on the right side of the circuit while I was manipulating the board during the etching process. So note to self, don't touch the surface!
My next attempt was much better and the sharpie is still intact.
As you can see in the picture above, I mucked up on the first board. Basically my thumb touched on the right side of the circuit while I was manipulating the board during the etching process. So note to self, don't touch the surface!
My next attempt was much better and the sharpie is still intact.
I used some nail polish remover (a few drops) on a cotton ball and wipe off the Sharpie ink. Populated and soldered the board. Its working!
