David said:
Does anyone know of a way of etching PCBs (from plans printed off a
computer) using a PCB pen (the kind you get in budget PCB-etch sets).
I'm having problems lining up the tracks accurately enough to fit things
like ICs in.
I can only do it by connecting the dots. If I am making my own
layout, I draw it on .1 inch grid paper, to keep spaces accurate. I
tape the layout over the clad board, and use an automatic center punch
(when you push down on it, a tiny internal hammer is spring loaded and
released to make a little impact at the point) to mark the location of
each hole. Then I remove the artwork, and put it beside the board,
and draw the pattern from dot to dot. After the board is etched, I
drill the holes, which are more accurate, because of the punches, and
then use a bit of solvent (I think acetone or fingernail polish
remover works) on a rag to remove the resist, before soldering parts
on.
I have never attempted to lay out a board with a pen that was intended
for surface mount parts.