Homebrew PCBs

Hi Lee

Lots of info out there on google buddy. I started making my own around a year ago. I have now converted a hot laminator to transfer the print to the copper clad. My paper of choice is HP everyday photopaper semi gloss.

I find semi gloss soaks off much better than the gloss photo started with. I have done around 30 PCB's in the year since I took the plunge. It's great! Good luck, have fun.

regards

Fenris

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "AD5VJ  Bob" <rtnmi@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Lee
> 
> I dont see you as rude. 
> 
> I just know so little I wasn't sure how to start looking. No problem though, you have given me a good head start and some great
> ideas, tnx for the reply.
> 
> Bob AD5VJ 
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com 
> > [mailto:Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Lee
> > Sent: Saturday, October 03, 2009 9:28 AM
> > To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
> > Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Laser Printer
> > 
> > Bob AD5VJ,
> > 
> > Not to be rude, but its hard to imagine that a person that is 
> > too lazy to use google or do even a little searching through 
> > the archives of this or similar groups will be successful.
> > 
> > Look in the files (and on google) there are numerous step by 
> > step writeups for laser toner-transfer based pcbs - I've had 
> > the best luck printing onto Staples Photo Glossy paper and 
> > also onto used(ripped out) magazine pages.  The real 
> > challenge is that there are very few single sided designs out 
> > there so you'll either have to design your own using Eagle or 
> > some other eda tool none of which are particularly easy and 
> > or you'll need a drill press that allows you to drill the 
> > vias and in through-holes you'll need for through hole 
> > components.     Also, If you have a cnc mill its also 
> > possible to mill the traces rather than printing them - do a 
> > search for pcb-gcode which is an open source plugin to eagle 
> > that produces gcode output that can be run on mach3 (or other 
> > cnc controller software) to produce traces.  For any DIY 
> > process, getting the two sides to line up and drilling vias 
> > is sufficiently complicated and error prone to reduce the 
> > success rate, at least in my experience, to well below 50%.  
> > 
> > Realistically, imo, printing your own pcb's is more for fun 
> > and for understanding the process than any real money you'll 
> > save.  There are inexpensive pcb manufacturing services for 
> > small runs, most notably batchpcb run by sparkfun, which are 
> > probably worth considering if you actually need a board that 
> > works.  i've been messing with this for a couple of years and 
> > my success rate on boards is still probably less than 50% - 
> > by that I mean that the board comes out of the chemical bath 
> > and/or after routing and all traces are in the right place 
> > and work properly.  In most cases you can manually repair a 
> > bad pcb by soldering wire in to replace a bad trace but again 
> > it takes time to find and manually repair these things.  
> > 
> > Hth.
> > 
> > --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "AD5VJ  Bob" <rtnmi@> wrote:
> > >
> > > I am wanting information on using a Laser printer process 
> > for making 
> > > homebrew pcb's. I have a Dell 1700 laser printer and 
> > understand that it will work well for printed circuit board 
> > prints for board etching.
> > > 
> > > But what type and weight paper do I use, ect?
> > > 
> > > Can anyone point me to a good process description on the 
> > web that tells step by step how to use this method? 
> > > 
> > > I am also wondering with all the different choices out 
> > there, how do you know how thick the layer of copper should 
> > be on the board.
> > > I am finding .060 and .090, but not sure what to choose.
> > > 
> > > I think I may purchase a Radio Shack kit for etching the 
> > board. It is 
> > > Radio Shack cat no. 276-1576, is there anything bad about 
> > that choice?
> > > 
> > > I really dont have a lot of money to spend on mistakes, I 
> > need something that works first time out of the chute.
> > > 
> > > Bob AD5VJ
> > >
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > ------------------------------------
> > 
> > Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, 
> > Files, and Photos:
> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links
> > 
> > 
> >
>