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Thread ID: 58446 2005-06-01 03:17:00 Printed Circuit Board etching supplies? braindead (1685) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
360151 2005-06-01 03:17:00 Chances are someone here knows the answer to this one.

I'm building some prototype IC preamps etc for audio recording and wonder where nowadays I can purchase the Ferric Chloride (dry or solution) to etch the PCBs. Dick Smith and JayCar sell PCB kiddie-packs but I need a somewhat larger quantity than that. I've looked on the web but nothing jumped out at me in NZ.

Any suggestions much appreciated!
braindead (1685)
360152 2005-06-01 03:27:00 Try here (www.google.co.nz) Rob99 (151)
360153 2005-06-01 03:42:00 Been there, done that, but thanks. braindead (1685)
360154 2005-06-01 03:47:00 It looks as if ferric chloride is used in wastewater treatment, and a company called Fernz has supplied various authorities. There are a few signs that there've been a lot of corporate games going on, but this (fernz.co.nz) finds a site with a different company name. It might be worth trying them. Graham L (2)
360155 2005-06-01 04:00:00 Warm with some agitation is best.

Yellow pages and let your fingers do the walking.
Cicero (40)
360156 2005-06-01 04:06:00 Thanks folks. There seems to be little info online re chemical supplies. All the old chemical supply places I used to buy from years ago have vanished. braindead (1685)
360157 2005-06-01 05:02:00 What I did a few years ago was to visit a local friendly pcb maker, and they filled me a large jar with ferric chloride powder, and also had a heap of pcb offcuts from behind his guillotine, and it was all for free, I must have talked nicely.

Maybe you could try the same, or, if you have a local pcb maker find out where they source theirs from.

The DSE price for 500ml solution already made up is a bit steep, about $25.

Radiospares sell it:
www.rsnewzealand.com @@@&BV_EngineID=cccladdekemgemgcefeceefdffhdgmj.0&cacheID=nznetscape&3295050556=3295050556&stockNo=0551277&prmstocknum=0551277&prodoid=0235897

as does also Farnell:
nz.farnell.com
Terry Porritt (14)
360158 2005-06-01 06:21:00 Excellent idea Terry! :thumbs: Why didn't I think of that.

One chemical company would only sell it to me by the ton :)
braindead (1685)
360159 2005-06-02 06:01:00 Well, you don't want to run out part way through. :) Graham L (2)
360160 2005-06-02 07:48:00 LOL! braindead (1685)
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