Best way to etch circuit boards

[Neildo_64]

What is the best way to etch circuit boards? Currently I just use ferric chloride with no agitation or anything. What are different ways of etching and what works best, whats cheapest, easiest, etc. Also, for laser printing and transferring, what is the best paper to use? Also, who else here etches their own boards for things? My last N64P had custom etched boards for all the controller buttons.

[Gordon1]

A lot of cheap people use magazine paper (because it is so damn shiny. You can pick up a cheap oxygen bubbler for a fish tank to agitate the etching solution.

[Tibia]

I've never etched circuit boards. I do metal etching on steel, brass, and copper, though. I use packing tape or electrical tape for my mask. I use a home-made electrolytic station, and it works great. The nature of the method agitates the solution itself.

[timmeh87]

Everyone should start using copper chloride and stop wasting money on ferric chloride.

And yeah, fish tank heater, fish tank bubbler.

[Life of Brian]

I seem to remember seeing some nice tutorials at instructables.com - you might go check that out.

[Mario]

Everyone should start using copper chloride and stop wasting money on ferric chloride.

And yeah, fish tank heater, fish tank bubbler.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Stop-us ... etter-etc/ Here's an etchant solution that is reusable and environmentally friendly.