Homebrew PCBs

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Stefan Trethan"
<stefan_trethan@...> wrote:

> Well, you could always use a better laminator or a fuser to reduce
> the effort.

As I stated further down in my, admittedly, long post, a _cheap_
thermal lamintor was one of my prerequisites.  When I found that the
cheap laminator I purchased didn't work well for the TT process, I
found an easy workaround that produced excellent results and which
would be applicable to anyone else who wanted to use a very cheap
thermal laminator that would otherwise be useless for PCB production.
I've seen complaints here of cheap thermal laminators not producing
good bonds of toner with the PCB.  Using the easy technique I
described, those stuck with lousy laminators can now get excellent
results easily and quickly. 
 
> If it doesn't adhere there are only two possible reasons:
> 
> A) low temperature or no pressure
> 
> B) contamination or insufficient board preparation.

My boards were always cleaned meticulously using abrasive cleansing
powder, a green Scotchbrite pad and 91% isopropyl for the final step.
 As stated in my post, the problem was that both of my irons didn't
reach the 200C (392F) toner fusion temperature anywhere on their
surfaces.  Given that they were two different irons of different
brands, I suspect that this might be a common problem.

Bill