My first thought is to use candle wax, as long as your etching solution is used cold. Warm the board up and coat the one side and holes, let it cool, and then do your thing on the other side. I've made simple single-sided boards in the past by using a toothpick to scrape away a line between what becomes very wide "traces". Saves a lot on etchant too, since you end up removing very little copper.
The wax comes off easily with a paper towel and a little heat.
Greg KO6TH
Date: Mon, 7 Nov 2011 15:08:57 -0800 From: k9qho6762@sbcglobal.net To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Etching a KLM RHCP/LHCP PCB
I've completed and etched one side#1 of the PCB with Press and Peel.
Side#2 needs to be etched. the artwork is very basic and can be completed by hand and Rub-On Etch Resist. I had to drill 8 alignment holes to help line up the artwork to each side.
Question #1: I don't want the etching solution to leach through the holes. I had some donuts to cover the holes, but they are so old that the glue is no good. Is there anything that can temporarily fill or cover the holes until side #2 is completed?
Question #2: Has anyone used clear packing tape to cover the areas where the copper is to be protected or will the etching solution just eat it up with the copper?
You have to admit this isn't a typical AMSAT-BB question. In projects before this, I just used side #2 as the ground plane.
73,
Mike (K9QHO)
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