MadModder
Gallery, Projects and General => Project Logs => Topic started by: Brass_Machine on December 01, 2009, 11:32:33 PM
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So I started a project today. After considerable time away from the shop and the time I did get doing jobs for income, I finally got in the shop for something I wanted to. A few of you know that I have been ill and on Chemotherapy for the last 5 months. I am in the final month and am trying to get motivated to do something besides sit on the couch and waste away.
SOOOO, I am starting Christmas presents. Last year I was going to do this very project as a present, before I got ill. I am going to do it this year.
It is called The May Queen (http://runoffgroove.com/mayqueen.html) overdrive.. This one is going to be for my guitar crazy brother in-law.
I etched the pcb tonight. Not a big start. For me it was huge.... 1. never etched a pcb 2. actually having the strength to get into the shop. I am very happy with the results:
(http://newschoolcafe.com/pics/mayqueen%201.jpg)
(http://newschoolcafe.com/pics/mayqueen%202.jpg)
Eric
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Good on you Eric,
The first step is always the hardest, but make sure you can walk safely before you put on your jogging shoes.
Nice start to the project.
I used to do the same sort of thing, but because I didn't have a UV lightbox, I exposed the light sensitive board and mask on a south facing kitchen window sill, a bit iffy at times, depending on how much sunshine, but it got the job done to acceptable standards (most times).
John
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Great start Eric good to see you up and about:- every project begins and ends with a step, but the first step is always the hardest.
What acid did you use to etch the pcb and how did you mask it off :scratch:
Cheers
Stew
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Somethin new for the BIL to fiddle with. I'm sure it will a hit.
Would definately put the optional cap in with a socket arrangement as per the cct diagram. Recon a variable cap would be cool if u could find one with a high enuf capacitance.
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That looks to be a very good result on the PCB Eric and congratulations on getting back in the shop! :thumbup:
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Good to see you posting projects again Eric .... a great sign I'm sure :thumbup:
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Eric,
Nice to see you up and about. Glad your feeling a bit better.
Way back before I started in the machining hobby I was interested in making circuit boards. Was going to do it as a side line. Even bought my first MS box with the design software to do it on. Never panned out. But I did make some boards, from design to finished board. The first were a dissaster. Used the bathroom in a mobile home we lived in to do the photographing. The rest I'd rather not remember.
You did a nice job on the first board. Careful with those fumes from the etchant if your using ferric chloride. Works better when warmed, but the fumes arer dangerous.
Bernd
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Good to see you back at 'er Eric! :wave: I played around a bit with guitar doodads in college with somewhat mixed results. They all did something, just not necessarily the 'something' they were supposed to do. :) Never did get to the point of etching boards though.
Good looking start, cant wait to see hear it when it's done.
Jeff
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Warm welcome back, Eric :wave:!!
You have done quite a good job with that circuit board :thumbup:.
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Eric, glad to see you are getting back into the swing of things.
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Glad you got back into the groove mate :headbang: first steps are always the hardest. That's a dam good looking pcb, when you feel up to it a "how to" would be very much appreciated I'm sure ........... but sometime in the New Year will be fine :thumbup:
Take care, good to see you around and about Eric, all the best to you and all the family.
Dave
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Cool.... I haven't tried that since I was 14!!!
Couldn't get a good un then, probably wouldn't now..... That one looks really good, no thin tracks and all where it should be :thumbup:
So when it's all done and your ears are hurting after the Xmas day demo's you'll have to post a little vid of your BIL wailing out "Hammer to fall"/"princes of the universe" (or another May classic) :headbang:
:offtopic: ..... Love Queen.... Queen Rock!!!!!! :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang:
Glad to see you've still got more drive than me chief! :nrocks:
Ralph.
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welcome back mate............. :clap: :thumbup:
here's to sunnier days and smooth sailing :beer:
chuck
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Well, while looking for parts for this pedal... I found a new schematic that I think is going to work better...
So I did a little show and tell...
First things first, the PCB image is printed by a Laser Printer. Regular paper wont cut it. Some people use photo paper meant for inkjets, some use the clear overhead presenter sheets. I read on the interwebs that a good high quality magazine page is the best. Has to be a shiney type page. So, I tore a sheet out of an IT mag and printed her up:
(http://newschoolcafe.com/projects/pcb1.jpg)
I cut it out and cut a copper clad board almost to size.
(http://newschoolcafe.com/projects/pcb2.jpg)
Plug in the iron and heat it up. You can se the etching solution in that shot.
(http://newschoolcafe.com/projects/pcb3.jpg)
Flip the cutout over onto the PCB. Were are gonna iron this sucker on,
(http://newschoolcafe.com/projects/pcb5.jpg)
Take your time. You want total transfer.... oh, and no steam! Once you think you are ready, transfer the pcb to the sink and run water over it to remove the paper... only the toner should be left.
Blurry, but you get the idea. You can see a spot that didnt quite make it. I traced it several times with a black sharpie (no picture) to fix the trace.
(http://newschoolcafe.com/projects/pcb6.jpg)
Pour a little of this:
(http://newschoolcafe.com/projects/pcb4.jpg)
Into one of these:
(http://newschoolcafe.com/projects/pcb7.jpg)
Heat for 30 seconds in the microwave and drop the board in.
(http://newschoolcafe.com/projects/pcb8.jpg)
A little agitation and 15 min later, we have another pcb.
(http://newschoolcafe.com/projects/pcb9.jpg)
Well, thats it for tonight on this project... I have to go in the shop and start organizing for projects 2,3,4 & 5 All to be done in the next few weeks... Maybe tomorrow I will start that post.
Eric
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**** oh yeah... when working with the etching stuff... wear gloves and eye protection at the least. Also don't spill any on SWMBO's stainless sink. It will leave a mark! :wack:
Trying to get back in the saddle...
Eric
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There's just one little trick Eric forgot. Don't mean to pick nits, but you need to make sure you have the negative on the board the right way or you can print it backwards or upside down. You'll find that out when you first put the components on and find they won't fit properly or not arranged the way they show on the plan.
Nice short demo though Eric. Explains one way of doing it. Never tried that method.
Bernd
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There's just one little trick Eric forgot. Don't mean to pick nits, but you need to make sure you have the negative on the board the right way or you can print it backwards or upside down. You'll find that out when you first put the components on and find they won't fit properly or not arranged the way they show on the plan.
Nice short demo though Eric. Explains one way of doing it. Never tried that method.
Bernd
Very true Bernd, I did forget to mention that... reason being, they were already created as a PDF... print and go.
Eric
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well Eric, for one that says 'never etched a PCB' you got a very nice result there :clap:
I didn't know that you were ill, and I'm very happy to see that you're back on work and feel better
you're the founder of madmodder and we all need your presence, like... humm... hemm... like sailors in the storm need a lighthouse :doh:
:mmr: :mmr: :mmr:
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Nice work Eric, glad you're back out in the shop.
Nick
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Very nicely done Eric! :clap:
Welcome back..... :thumbup:
David D
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Eric, nice improvisation on your latest pcb-work :clap:.
Ages ago, I did almost similar way my most complex pcb's. Difference is, that I used photocopier to make negative images, that were transferred to pcb using acetone as solvent. Results were not nearly as good as yours, requiring checking the traces with multimeter, and patching with solder and thin copper wire, as necessary.
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Great stuff Eric ,,,,i allways wonder'd how PCB board were made ,,electronics is something i would like to no more about ,so i am looking forward to seeing more
Regards Rob
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Well... as it seems I have now etched 3 different versions of the board. Tomorrow I hope to get it built.
Eric