How to Make a Homemade Circuit Board
All electronics utilize circuits as a means of transmitting and using electricity, so anyone interested in electronics as a hobby or career should familiarize themselves with circuit boards. Fortunately, constructing a homemade circuit board is a relatively simple and straightforward task. With some basic tools and a few hours to spare, anyone can build their own circuit board and create the foundation for a much deeper experience with electronics.
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Things You'll Need
- Printed circuit blueprint (either your own or a pre-existing design)
- Pencil and paper
- Carbon paper
- Overhead projection marker
- Tape
- Copper clad board (of appropriate size for the design)
- Etching solution
- Container
- Hand drill with replaceable drill bits
- Paint thinner
- Gloves
Instructions
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Making A Basic Printed Circuit Board
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1
Draw the circuit pattern on regular paper with a pencil. Mark where you will need to drill holes.
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2
Place tracing paper over the first sheet and trace the pattern with the overhead projection pen.
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3
Tape carbon paper to the copper side of the copper clad board. Neatly tape the tracing paper over the carbon paper.
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4
Once again trace the pattern with the overhead marker. Remove the tracing paper and carbon paper; the marker's ink will leave the pattern on the copper board.
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5
Wait 10 minutes for the ink to dry, then place the copper board in a container, and submerge it in the etching solution. Allow the board to simmer in the solution for a couple of hours.
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6
Clean the board with tap water.
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7
Drill holes where components will be attached.
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8
Use thinner to remove the remnants of the marker ink. This completes the basic structure of the circuit board.
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1
Tips & Warnings
In order to prevent serious burns, protective gloves should be worn when working with the chemical solutions
References
Resources
- Photo Credit circuit board image by Andrzej Thiel from Fotolia.com
