Etching Tank

Now we need to etch away the exposed copper

Cutting the Board

• Cut the board to the right size using the bandsaw, this should require less etchant afterwards

Etching the Board

• Dip the board into Ferric Chloride for 20 - 30 mins
• use the Heater to speed up the reaction.

Final Cleaning

• Rinse the board with water
• Next wash the board with Acetone (paint remover)
• Polish to get rid of the paint
• Try rubbing the board with a sponge
• Rinse again with water

Drilling the Board

Unfortunately it’s not really practical to drill holes in the board with the laser

• FR1/2 type boards have chemicals which are toxic, this likley includes the SRBP boards from maplins (which is likley to be FR2)
• FR3 / 4 Boards use a different type of Epoxy which should be a lot safer than FR1/2
• However FR4 boards typically use Fibre Glass, trying to cut through this will likley leave a mess and a lot of charing
• FR3 boards may be the only option, but finding them may be difficult