Making a PCB at home
After successfully making a number of boards using the artwork TONER transfer method , I thought I would do a mostly pictorial step by step guide to it.
Using your favorite artwork program draw up your board.
I prefer to use Eagle , but other free ware programs can also be used , some may wish to try using normal drawing programs.
The main advantage of learning a pcb cad program is that they have within the program many of the common components pinout spacings available.
For example by simply selecting an IC package the program will place its complete pinout on the screen , the pin pads being at the correct distance apart from each other in every dimension.
Also the program will allow dragging components around while still preserving their electrical joints.
This I find to be a useful function when nearing the end of the design process which can help make the whole layout more compact.
Of course these cad programs aren't easy to learn and use , for a real simple one-off board a simple drawing program might work well.
I print my artwork out onto the highest gloss paper I can find , the type normally used for photographs.
It's unfortunately not cheap paper , but needed because of the coating on the glossy side which prevents the toner from being absorbed into the paper , it sticks , but doesn't absorb into it.
This also increases the sharpness of the lines on the paper which of course means better quality tracks on the new board.
This is printed out on my HP Laserjet 1100 printer.
A visitor to this site tells me that he uses clear overhead transperancy film with good results , I'll be sure to try this soon.
I cut the patern out at a little larger than the size of the board that I wish to make.
Then I use that size to mark out the shape onto the new coper clad board and cut that out with a hack saw.
An electrical hobby saw would be nice to use , and a lot faster.
Cleanliness is important.
I scuff up a little on the copper surface with a nylon dish washing pad and degrease the copper with vodka , a little bit for the board , and a little bit for me. :-P
