Friday, June 3, 2011

Video: Making PCBs with solder resist

Ever wanted to make PCBs that look like the real thing and are easy to solder, even with SMD parts? With green solder resist and all? I'ts possible! Here's what you need:

  • UV lamp
  • PCB base material with photoresist
  • Transparencies for printing your layout (and a printer of course)
  • Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH)
  • Sodium Persulfate (Na2S2O8) or your favorite PCB etchant
  • Hot roll laminator with hot and cold settings
  • Dynamask or similar solder resist laminate
  • Sodium Carbonate (Na2CO3)
  • A soft brush (you could also use your fingers)
  • Containers for the chemicals
  • Timer or stopwatch
And here's how to do it: