A substitute for commercial copper etchant can be made from Hydrochloric acid and rusty metal.

Required materials: Hydrochloric (Muriatic) acid, Any old rusty metal you have lying around(Iron or steel only), A plastic or glass container of at least 2 liter capacity, Funnel and coffee filters.

To begin, Put enough rusty metal or rust scale in the jar to fill it half full, Then add enough acid to fill the jar to within 2" (5 cm) of the top,Leaving it UNCAPPED. Then set aside for at least a week, With daily stirring. After several days, The liquid in the jar will be dark brown, And will be ready for filtering. Place a funnel with a coffee filter in it in the mouth of a jar or bottle (plastic or glass only) And pour the liquid in the jar into the filter, Keeping the rust in the jar. After all the liquid is filtered out, Discard the leftover metal in the jar, Or add more acid to produce another batch.
Note: Ferrous chloride will stain skin and clothing, And attack most metals, With the production of heat and gases.This process is best carried out outdoors, And all materials kept out of the reach of children, Read the label on the acid's container and follow all safety measures. CB


[This message has been edited by crazedbytch (edited 30-10-2000).]

Another useful chemical you can produce at home. Will work in place of ferric chloride in making printed circuit boards. Allow plenty of time for the reaction to take place when makng this, And be careful when working with the acid.

CB