Homebrew PCBs

I use the toner transfer method with magazine paper and it works 
pretty decent.  I use an unmodified GBC-95 but I also use one more 
step.  I print (on a HP-5P @ 600dpi) to a chunk of mag paper (4Wheel 
& Offroad Mag) fixed to a normal chunk of paper with some avery 
labels.  I then cut the image out and use label material to fix the 
top of the mag image to the pcb and run it through the laminator a 
couple of times.  

I then put the pcb on a iron that is upside down held in a vice(the 
pcb is copper and pattern side up) I leave the pcb on there for 
about 15-30 seconds while holding it down with some tweezers in 
places where there is no toner so everything heats uniformly. 

I then take it off and run it through the laminator another 4-5 
times, soak it for about 30 seconds and then remove the paper slowly 
under water and use a type of scotch pad with minimal pressure to 
remove the rest of the paper..  Then etch as normal.


Here are a few test etch's:

(The pics aren't the greatist nor do they give the etchings very 
much justice)

Copper perimeter size is about 0.30"x0.34" in actual size:

This one has 0.009" traces plotted on a 0.02" grid:
http://www.rescyou.com/pcb/009x02.gif

This one has 0.003" traces plotted on a 0.02" grid:
http://www.rescyou.com/pcb/003x02.gif

This one has 0.001" traces plotted on a 0.02" grid:
http://www.rescyou.com/pcb/001x02.gif


Copper perimeter size is about 0.34" x 0.23" in actual size

This one has 0.003" traces plotted on a 0.01" grid:
http://www.rescyou.com/pcb/003x01.gif

These were etched on to some of the cheapest, low grade garbage-type 
pcb blanks, so the results are pretty decent given the medium.

0.001" traces are about the limit and stuff starts degrading bad 
after that.  I've yet to have a bad transfer using this method.

Resc.

 



--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Derryck Croker <derryck@n...> 
wrote:
> On 31/1/04 09:05, gmanca101 at gmanca101@y... wrote:
> 
> > Bring up an old thread on laminators, I think that the three 
modified
> > parts are the tension springs, arms, and plate. However, the
> 
> Trimmed and bottom-posted.
> 
> Beware that home laminators may not reach a high enough temp to 
successfully
> transfer toner from the carrier sheet to the copper.
> 
> My experiments show that simply bypassing the thermostat didn't 
work,
> possibly due to some over-temperature switch. YMMV.
> 
> -- 
> Cheers,
> 
> Derryck