Homebrew PCBs

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Hi Guys!

My name is Mike and I just started experimenting with toner transfer.

Here I would like to list my findings so far.

I used Staples picture paper in my trials!

I made a circuit copy to Staples paper and one pass thru the printer.
The traces adhered about 85 percent.This is my first try.The paper
was not that easy to remove.

I then tried with one pass thru the printer for the traces then I
brought up Notepad, typed one period then ran the paper with the
traces thru again .I ironed on the traces. The paper had a bubly
look but peeled off much easier..The adhesion was excellent and
better than 95 percent went on perfectly!remainder came off easily
with a old toothbrush!

I find traces within .2 inces of the edges of the board were not the
best. On my next ry I will pay more attention to the edges with my
iron! This may be because the edges cool off faster than the rest of
the board! But all the rest were absolutely perfect and they were
narrow traces .007 to .010 inch!

Now for my iron! On my first try I used my wife's steam iron.But the
soles of steam irons have holes and dimples. I was in a variety store
and I found a Chinese made DRY IRON! This iron has a sole plate that
is flat with no holes ,so the full plate rests on the board and
transfers heat better. This iron I used on my second attempt. It only
cost me $10 dollars..

Some where on the web I came accross a item where the person posting
said he used a one inch wooden dowel under his board so that
pressure from the iron is concentrated at that point. I used a oven
mitt to handle the board while ironing.The board handles like a polly
Polly that is why the mitt is neccessary!

Regards

Mike