Hello,
I'm wondering, is it possible to obtain those old-school brown PCB kits which were in use before fiberglass became the standard for PCBs? You know, the stuff that stinks a whole lot when on fire. :)
I'm about to build a few "retro" circuits using a etchant-resistive pen method, and an old-school brown PCB would've been an incredibly nice touch!
Elorg
Search e-bay for 'pertinax' ?
'Pertinax' is probably a brand name... it's just phenolic.
...Jim Thompson
That stuff was junk when it was common, even to make something look "original" I think you'd be making a mistake using it.
Micahel
"ELORG" wrote
The 'brown stuff' is known as paper-phenolic. It is still in use, and is far more popular than fiberglass.
Fiberglass is only needed for plated through hole and multilayer. And satisfying the Army - fungus doesn't like it as much as paper.
I love the smell of burning electronics in the morning.
Not a good idea. Get photo-resist coated boards - they make some that expose quickly with a fluorescent desk-lamp - and they don't cost more than a $ or so more than plain ones. Photo resist develops in a warm 1% solution (w/w) 'Red Devil Lye Drain Cleaner' (don't use Drano - it's got additives). Use a freebie/obsolete PCB layout program and print out on velum with a laser printer or good inkjet to make the artwork.
Open up your DVD, HDTV, Dolby XX.xx receiver, notice all the 'brown pcbs', ultra fine surface mount, even.
Synthetic-Resin-Bonded Paper or SRBP.
Trade name is "Paxolin"
touch!
I believe you're looking for XXXP circuit board laminate material.
Thanks, I'll try to get my hands on this stuff. DIY stores in my area don't seem to have anything but fiberglass, though.
Hello, Sorry for the confusion - what I was looking for is the trade name of the aforementioned stuff. I'm sick and tired of spending hours sprawled over the drill, making holes in fiberglass boards...
I'll stick with pertinax, and draw all the traces by hand. Not only that I lack the equipment to do it the modern way, but a CAD program wouldn't allow me to draw those wavy traces I'm aiming for. Also, photoresistive boards somehow cost six times more than "ordinary" ones in my place - I guess that's the price of living in a countryside!
Guess pertinax will do, since I'm building a fairly simple (yet high voltage) circuit - hope the tracks don't lift upon soldering!
Cheers, Elorg
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