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Board Image from Brother Laser printer on catalog paper

Board Image from Brother Laser printer on catalog paper

2006-06-15 by kilocycles

I've just uploaded two images to the Photos section in a new album,
"Ted-KX4OM".  One is a still-wet picture made with my digital camera
of a board made using toner transfer from my problematic Brother
HL-2040.  After reading the posts from this week regarding using
magazine pages, I just had to try it, since Press N Peel Blue and
glossy inkjet paper results have been pretty dismal with this printer.
 The other image is the actual Photoshop image, reversed for
comparison, and shrunk for the web.  I see two significant void areas
below and to the right of the big circle in the lower left quadrant
(RCA connector).  Also, so traces and a few pads need repairing, but I
don't see massive "fogged" areas and 1 cm squared blank areas, like I
got with P n P Blue.

I tried a page from Popular Science magazine (twice), and the printer
wrinkled the paper.  So, I happend to have an Orion Telescopes catalog
lying there, and it had slightly thicker paper, and it worked.

I now have a digital probe thermometer for stabbing into meat in the
oven that reads to well over 350 degrees F.  According to what the
Press N Peel people tell me, the newer laser toners require such
temperatures to fuse.  I measured the iron at the hottest I could get
it, 341 F.  It may have gotton hotter, once it was lying on the board
and paper, rather than on the probe, as there was air space under it.

Surprisingly, I seem to have gotten a usable board transfer.  However,
after soaking for over 24 hours in water, the paper is still difficult
to remove, unlike the reports regarding the magazine paper.  One thing
that may be the cause is that, apparently, the catalog is not printed
using water-based ink, since it does not smear when wet.  I suppose
that would make the printed paper less permeable to water, and
possibly, the print ink may have fused as well.

I actually had to use a Scotchbrite "greenie" to start the removal of
the paper.  I'm finishing up by using my finger, however.  Typing this
post, the board has dried, and I'll have to re-wet it.  Then I'll
retouch it, and see how it holds up in the ferric chloride etchant.

So, all things considered, I'm a pretty happy camper right now.  I
have a board!

Cheers,
Ted

Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Board Image from Brother Laser printer on catalog paper

2006-06-16 by Herbert E. Plett

--- kilocycles <kilocycles@...> wrote:
...
> I tried a page from Popular Science magazine (twice), and the printer
> wrinkled the paper.  So, I happend to have an Orion Telescopes catalog
> lying there, and it had slightly thicker paper, and it worked.

just fix it to normal paper. increases thickness and fuses better.

...
> Surprisingly, I seem to have gotten a usable board transfer.  However,
> after soaking for over 24 hours in water, the paper is still difficult
> to remove, unlike the reports regarding the magazine paper.  One thing
> that may be the cause is that, apparently, the catalog is not printed
> using water-based ink, since it does not smear when wet.  I suppose
> that would make the printed paper less permeable to water, and
> possibly, the print ink may have fused as well.

catalog and magazine paper is good if the pages 'stick together' when wetted, 
pressed and let to dry...



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Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Board Image from Brother Laser printer on catalog paper

2006-06-16 by Mycroft2152

I just ran up a few boards last weekend. I've had a
great success with the Staples inkjet paper, but based
on the recent discussions, and the fact I had some
extra time, I decided to try a few other papers and
techniques.

I am using a Samsung ML-2010 with third party refill
toner and a Xerox laminator.

Paper: the best and most amazing result was with the
paper from the SEARS flyer in the sunday paper! Great
transfer and almsot fell off under hot water.

Fusing the toner: after removing the paper and before
etching, I flash fused the toner using a hair dryer. I
flash fused half of a test board. The flash fused
portion has excellent 0.006" traces, where the
"normal" 0.006" traces were very crappy and had gaps.

Etching: I used a Muriatic Acid / H2O2 etch. 3 parts
water, 2 parts Muriatic Acid and 1 part 40 volume
H2O2. It gave a etching time of about 3 minutes. A
little quick, next time I'll reduce the H2O2 a bit.

"Tinning": Well not actually "tinning" per say more
like protecting the traces from oxidation. I had read
about using Future floor wax as a resist. And yes it
does work. This time I wiped a thin coat on the trace
side after etching and let it dry. Soldering was no
problem.

Just a few more tweaks to the Toner Tranfer process.

Myc


--- "Herbert E. Plett" <cachureos@...> wrote:

> 
> 
> --- kilocycles <kilocycles@...> wrote:
> ...
> > I tried a page from Popular Science magazine
> (twice), and the printer
> > wrinkled the paper.  So, I happend to have an
> Orion Telescopes catalog
> > lying there, and it had slightly thicker paper,
> and it worked.
> 
> just fix it to normal paper. increases thickness and
> fuses better.
> 
> ...
> > Surprisingly, I seem to have gotten a usable board
> transfer.  However,
> > after soaking for over 24 hours in water, the
> paper is still difficult
> > to remove, unlike the reports regarding the
> magazine paper.  One thing
> > that may be the cause is that, apparently, the
> catalog is not printed
> > using water-based ink, since it does not smear
> when wet.  I suppose
> > that would make the printed paper less permeable
> to water, and
> > possibly, the print ink may have fused as well.
> 
> catalog and magazine paper is good if the pages
> 'stick together' when wetted, 
> pressed and let to dry...
> 
> 
> 
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam
> protection around 
> http://mail.yahoo.com 
> 


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Re: Board Image from Brother Laser printer on catalog paper

2006-06-16 by onenastyviper

Hi, what is flash fusing?

PK

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Mycroft2152 <mycroft2152@...> 
wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
>
> I just ran up a few boards last weekend. I've had a
> great success with the Staples inkjet paper, but based
> on the recent discussions, and the fact I had some
> extra time, I decided to try a few other papers and
> techniques.
> 
> I am using a Samsung ML-2010 with third party refill
> toner and a Xerox laminator.
> 
> Paper: the best and most amazing result was with the
> paper from the SEARS flyer in the sunday paper! Great
> transfer and almsot fell off under hot water.
> 
> Fusing the toner: after removing the paper and before
> etching, I flash fused the toner using a hair dryer. I
> flash fused half of a test board. The flash fused
> portion has excellent 0.006" traces, where the
> "normal" 0.006" traces were very crappy and had gaps.
> 
> Etching: I used a Muriatic Acid / H2O2 etch. 3 parts
> water, 2 parts Muriatic Acid and 1 part 40 volume
> H2O2. It gave a etching time of about 3 minutes. A
> little quick, next time I'll reduce the H2O2 a bit.
> 
> "Tinning": Well not actually "tinning" per say more
> like protecting the traces from oxidation. I had read
> about using Future floor wax as a resist. And yes it
> does work. This time I wiped a thin coat on the trace
> side after etching and let it dry. Soldering was no
> problem.
> 
> Just a few more tweaks to the Toner Tranfer process.
> 
> Myc
> 
>

Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Board Image from Brother Laser printer on catalog paper

2006-06-16 by Mycroft2152

Flash fusing is what I call remelting the toner in
place. Using a hair dryer, very close to the pcb, the
toner softenes and remelts, but doesn't move. It does
seem to work and gives better adhesion to the pcb.

The "film" people sell a laser foil that is used for
during a second fusing step. I've used regular laser
foil and it seemed that the second heating "smoothed'
out the toner.

It's somethiing that worked for me, it doesn't take
much time. I've added it to my Toner transfer
procedure.

Myc

--- onenastyviper <oneNastyViper@...> wrote:

> Hi, what is flash fusing?
> 
> PK
> 
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Mycroft2152
> <mycroft2152@...> 
> wrote:
> >
> > I just ran up a few boards last weekend. I've had
> a
> > great success with the Staples inkjet paper, but
> based
> > on the recent discussions, and the fact I had some
> > extra time, I decided to try a few other papers
> and
> > techniques.
> > 
> > I am using a Samsung ML-2010 with third party
> refill
> > toner and a Xerox laminator.
> > 
> > Paper: the best and most amazing result was with
> the
> > paper from the SEARS flyer in the sunday paper!
> Great
> > transfer and almsot fell off under hot water.
> > 
> > Fusing the toner: after removing the paper and
> before
> > etching, I flash fused the toner using a hair
> dryer. I
> > flash fused half of a test board. The flash fused
> > portion has excellent 0.006" traces, where the
> > "normal" 0.006" traces were very crappy and had
> gaps.
> > 
> > Etching: I used a Muriatic Acid / H2O2 etch. 3
> parts
> > water, 2 parts Muriatic Acid and 1 part 40 volume
> > H2O2. It gave a etching time of about 3 minutes. A
> > little quick, next time I'll reduce the H2O2 a
> bit.
> > 
> > "Tinning": Well not actually "tinning" per say
> more
> > like protecting the traces from oxidation. I had
> read
> > about using Future floor wax as a resist. And yes
> it
> > does work. This time I wiped a thin coat on the
> trace
> > side after etching and let it dry. Soldering was
> no
> > problem.
> > 
> > Just a few more tweaks to the Toner Tranfer
> process.
> > 
> > Myc
> > 
> > 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 


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Re: Board Image from Brother Laser printer on catalog paper

2006-06-16 by kilocycles

Myc,
I just did another one using a flyer from the paper.  This time I
tested it for smudgability with my finger, and sure enough, they used
the vegetable-based ink on that one.  It' currently soaking in the
sink, but I pulled up a corner, and I did get a transfer.

I'll have to try the flash technique.  I could actually use my Harbor
Freight shrink tubing/paint removal gun, which is good for up to 650
degrees F.  Nah, I'd probably burn my fingers.

I tried my mother-in-law's tabletop Canon copier on a Press N Peel
blue board, and I just ironed it on...disappointing...I used too much
heat and pressure.  The image (3 x 4 inches) is skewed, and the pads
are smeared in some places.  It's a double-sided board with a 40-pin
IC socket on it, so it's probably unuseable.  Obviously, my 341 degree
iron setting and pretty heavy pressure is needed only for the Brother
images, not for copier toner.  I've had that problem occasionally with
other P n P boards on big copiers, so the little Canon seems to be
about in the same range as to fuser temperature and toner ingredients.

I'm intrigued by your results with the muriatic acid.  The ferric
chloride method typically takes me 20 minutes or so.  I'll look in the
archives and get the exact percentages of muriatic acid.  I'm not sure
the stuff you buy for swimming pool cleaning, etc, is 100 %.  I think
Home Depot carries it as well, for cleaning garage floors prior to
painting the concrete.

I just happen to have a bottle of Future floor wax handy.  I use it to
apply decals to the panels of some of my stuff I build.  Using the
Testors decal paper, you can still see the edges of the cuts, but the
decals will not lift off or even curl at the edges.  So you can solder
right through the stuff, eh?  Have to try that.

Regards,
Ted

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Mycroft2152 <mycroft2152@...> wrote:
>
> I just ran up a few boards last weekend. I've had a
> great success with the Staples inkjet paper, but based
> on the recent discussions, and the fact I had some
> extra time, I decided to try a few other papers and
> techniques.
> 
> I am using a Samsung ML-2010 with third party refill
> toner and a Xerox laminator.
> 
> Paper: the best and most amazing result was with the
> paper from the SEARS flyer in the sunday paper! Great
> transfer and almsot fell off under hot water.
> 
> Fusing the toner: after removing the paper and before
> etching, I flash fused the toner using a hair dryer. I
> flash fused half of a test board. The flash fused
> portion has excellent 0.006" traces, where the
> "normal" 0.006" traces were very crappy and had gaps.
> 
> Etching: I used a Muriatic Acid / H2O2 etch. 3 parts
> water, 2 parts Muriatic Acid and 1 part 40 volume
> H2O2. It gave a etching time of about 3 minutes. A
> little quick, next time I'll reduce the H2O2 a bit.
> 
> "Tinning": Well not actually "tinning" per say more
> like protecting the traces from oxidation. I had read
> about using Future floor wax as a resist. And yes it
> does work. This time I wiped a thin coat on the trace
> side after etching and let it dry. Soldering was no
> problem.
> 
> Just a few more tweaks to the Toner Tranfer process.
> 
> Myc
---snip---

RE : [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Board Image from Brother Laser printer on catalog paper

2006-06-16 by Robert Hedan

> -----Message d'origine-----
> De : Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com 
> [mailto:Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com] De la part de kilocycles
> Envoyé : juin 16 2006 12:24
> À : Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
> Objet : [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Board Image from Brother Laser 
> printer on catalog paper
> 
> 
...  The ferric chloride method typically takes me 20 minutes or so. ... 
> 
> Regards,
> Ted


If you aren't doing this already, try warming the ferric chloride.  I use a
double-tank system; one small plastic container of etchant inside a larger
plastic container of hot water.  When I'm satisfied with the etching, I just
dip the PCB in the larger container for a rinse.  I clean my gloves in there
as well as the small container once I've stored the spent ferric chloride.

I bought that etchant heater from MG Chemicals, a waste of money.  The
double-tank system is fast, easy, non-electrical and free (I buy my plastic
containers at the dollar store, so that is as close to free as it gets).

Robert
:)

Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Board Image from Brother Laser printer on catalog paper

2006-06-16 by Leon Heller

----- Original Message ----- 
Show quoted textHide quoted text
From: "kilocycles" <kilocycles@...>
To: <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, June 16, 2006 5:23 PM
Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Board Image from Brother Laser printer on 
catalog paper


> Myc,
> I just did another one using a flyer from the paper.  This time I
> tested it for smudgability with my finger, and sure enough, they used
> the vegetable-based ink on that one.  It' currently soaking in the
> sink, but I pulled up a corner, and I did get a transfer.
>
> I'll have to try the flash technique.  I could actually use my Harbor
> Freight shrink tubing/paint removal gun, which is good for up to 650
> degrees F.  Nah, I'd probably burn my fingers.
>
> I tried my mother-in-law's tabletop Canon copier on a Press N Peel
> blue board, and I just ironed it on...disappointing...I used too much
> heat and pressure.  The image (3 x 4 inches) is skewed, and the pads
> are smeared in some places.  It's a double-sided board with a 40-pin
> IC socket on it, so it's probably unuseable.  Obviously, my 341 degree
> iron setting and pretty heavy pressure is needed only for the Brother
> images, not for copier toner.  I've had that problem occasionally with
> other P n P boards on big copiers, so the little Canon seems to be
> about in the same range as to fuser temperature and toner ingredients.
>
> I'm intrigued by your results with the muriatic acid.  The ferric
> chloride method typically takes me 20 minutes or so.  I'll look in the
> archives and get the exact percentages of muriatic acid.  I'm not sure
> the stuff you buy for swimming pool cleaning, etc, is 100 %.  I think
> Home Depot carries it as well, for cleaning garage floors prior to
> painting the concrete.

I use FeCl3 and etching only takes about 5-10 minutes, using continuous 
manual agitation (rocking) of the etchant container inside a larger 
container half-filled with hot water. I have it boiling when I put it in.

Leon

Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Board Image from Brother Laser printer on catalog paper

2006-06-16 by Mycroft2152

Hi Ted,

Comments between the lines.

Myc

--- kilocycles <kilocycles@...> wrote:

> Myc,
> I just did another one using a flyer from the paper.
>  This time I
> tested it for smudgability with my finger, and sure
> enough, they used
> the vegetable-based ink on that one.  It' currently
> soaking in the
> sink, but I pulled up a corner, and I did get a
> transfer.
>

I was surpised  with the Sears flyer paper. I didn't
try smearing the ink, but I did print over printed
photos. I let the board cool and you could see the
paper bubble a bit, where there was no toner. Then a
few minutes under hot water and it came right off.
 
> I'll have to try the flash technique.  I could
> actually use my Harbor
> Freight shrink tubing/paint removal gun, which is
> good for up to 650
> degrees F.  Nah, I'd probably burn my fingers.

Ypu the board does get HOT, wach your fingers. I used
a clamp to hold the board. I fried part of the
bathroom vanity once, and was my wife pissed.

> 
> I tried my mother-in-law's tabletop Canon copier on
> a Press N Peel
> blue board, and I just ironed it
> on...disappointing...I used too much
> heat and pressure.  The image (3 x 4 inches) is
> skewed, and the pads
> are smeared in some places.  It's a double-sided
> board with a 40-pin
> IC socket on it, so it's probably unuseable. 
> Obviously, my 341 degree
> iron setting and pretty heavy pressure is needed
> only for the Brother
> images, not for copier toner.  I've had that problem
> occasionally with
> other P n P boards on big copiers, so the little
> Canon seems to be
> about in the same range as to fuser temperature and
> toner ingredients.

Temperature and pressure is critical. There is a lot
of therml mass in the pcb. Laminators abe really built
for very thin lightweight items. Though the badge
laminators are heavy duty.
> 
> I'm intrigued by your results with the muriatic
> acid.  The ferric
> chloride method typically takes me 20 minutes or so.
>  I'll look in the
> archives and get the exact percentages of muriatic
> acid.  I'm not sure
> the stuff you buy for swimming pool cleaning, etc,
> is 100 %.  I think
> Home Depot carries it as well, for cleaning garage
> floors prior to
> painting the concrete.

The Muriatic acid is standard 38% from the hardware
store. I converted the formula from the text in the
files for using regular H2O2. Three minutes is a bit
fast. You have to keep an eye on it. Since it is a
clear solution, it's easy. I would prefer 6-8 minutes
for the next boards.
> 
> I just happen to have a bottle of Future floor wax
> handy.  I use it to
> apply decals to the panels of some of my stuff I
> build.  Using the
> Testors decal paper, you can still see the edges of
> the cuts, but the
> decals will not lift off or even curl at the edges. 
> So you can solder
> right through the stuff, eh?  Have to try that.

soldering was fine. I did try to put a component
legend on after the Future (I liked the shine it gave
to the surface), but the ink from the flyer was
grabbed by the Future.
> 
> Regards,
> Ted
> 
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Mycroft2152
> <mycroft2152@...> wrote:
> >
> > I just ran up a few boards last weekend. I've had
> a
> > great success with the Staples inkjet paper, but
> based
> > on the recent discussions, and the fact I had some
> > extra time, I decided to try a few other papers
> and
> > techniques.
> > 
> > I am using a Samsung ML-2010 with third party
> refill
> > toner and a Xerox laminator.
> > 
> > Paper: the best and most amazing result was with
> the
> > paper from the SEARS flyer in the sunday paper!
> Great
> > transfer and almsot fell off under hot water.
> > 
> > Fusing the toner: after removing the paper and
> before
> > etching, I flash fused the toner using a hair
> dryer. I
> > flash fused half of a test board. The flash fused
> > portion has excellent 0.006" traces, where the
> > "normal" 0.006" traces were very crappy and had
> gaps.
> > 
> > Etching: I used a Muriatic Acid / H2O2 etch. 3
> parts
> > water, 2 parts Muriatic Acid and 1 part 40 volume
> > H2O2. It gave a etching time of about 3 minutes. A
> > little quick, next time I'll reduce the H2O2 a
> bit.
> > 
> > "Tinning": Well not actually "tinning" per say
> more
> > like protecting the traces from oxidation. I had
> read
> > about using Future floor wax as a resist. And yes
> it
> > does work. This time I wiped a thin coat on the
> trace
> > side after etching and let it dry. Soldering was
> no
> > problem.
> > 
> > Just a few more tweaks to the Toner Tranfer
> process.
> > 
> > Myc
> ---snip---
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 


__________________________________________________
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Re: RE : [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Board Image from Brother Laser printer on catalog paper

2006-06-16 by Codesuidae

Robert Hedan wrote:
> If you aren't doing this already, try warming the ferric chloride.  I use a
> double-tank system; one small plastic container of etchant inside a larger
> plastic container of hot water.  

I microwave mine.  If it starts to cool off too much I just pop it back 
in for a few more seconds.

No, I don't do this in the kitchen microwave, I have a spare that I use 
in the workshop for various non-food heating tasks.

I'm sure this is less safe than using hot water, but it sure is easy and 
fast.  I typically only do small boards using less than 50cc of etchant 
at a time, so the potential for damage is limited.  I wouldn't try it 
this way for large quantities of etchant.

Dave K

[Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Board Image from Brother Laser printer on catalog paper

2006-06-16 by Robert Hedan

> -----Message d'origine-----
> De : Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com 
> [mailto:Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com] De la part de Leon Heller
> Envoyé : juin 16 2006 12:47
> À : Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
> Objet : Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Board Image from Brother 
> Laser printer on catalog paper
> 
> 
> I use FeCl3 and etching only takes about 5-10 minutes, using 
> continuous 
> manual agitation (rocking) of the etchant container inside a larger 
> container half-filled with hot water. I have it boiling when 
> I put it in.
> 
> Leon 


Yes, forgot to say I do that too.  I gave up on making an etchant system
with automated rocking, air agitation, heating and wide screen TV; just not
worth the hassle.  I use ordinary kitchen gloves and rub the PCB 'lightly'
using a green scrub pad.  This is a thin sheet of nylon mesh, not abrasive,
it's just to remove spent etchant and copper deposit from the PCB surface,
nothing more.

Under 10 minutes as well.

Robert
:)

RE : RE : [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Board Image from Brother Laser printer on catalog paper

2006-06-16 by Robert Hedan

> -----Message d'origine-----
> De : Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com 
> [mailto:Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com] De la part de Codesuidae
> Envoyé : juin 16 2006 13:01
> À : Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
> Objet : Re: RE : [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Board Image from Brother 
> Laser printer on catalog paper
> 
> 
> I microwave mine.  ...  I wouldn't try it 
> this way for large quantities of etchant.
> 
> Dave K


I'm very wary of the fumes from heated etchant.  I'm sensitive to cigarette
smoke and noticed that I cough after I etch PCBs.  I'm sure that even at
room temperature there are fumes from ferric chloride, not much, but a bit.

I have a vacuum pickup and filter on my soldering iron, I noticed that
helped a LOT.  One last area I need to improve there is the soldering
tweezers, they let off soldering fumes as well and I'm breathing those
directly.  I get a lightly sore throat for a day or so after I solder.

I'm 45 and would like to see 80.  I don't smoke, do drugs or drink much so I
think there's a good chance I might get there.  Once I have my prototype
finalized, I'm outsourcing all this crap and letting some other sucker
breath all these toxic fumes.

Robert
:)

Re: Board Image from Brother Laser printer on catalog paper

2006-06-16 by derekhawkins

>Yes, forgot to say I do that too.  I gave up on making an etchant 
>system with automated rocking, air agitation, heating and wide 
>screen TV; just not worth the hassle. 

Circuit Specialists (US) used to sell something similar to the link 
below for $29.00. Works pretty well, a 6"X6" board etches in about 5 
minutes with fresh etchant. Basically a hands free operation and with 
the right etchant you see the progress on both sides of the board. 
Unfortunately, now, for that price there's no included heater. The 
aquarium pump and heater can be had at a pet store for those 
undertaking a similar but cheaper route.

http://www.web-tronics.com/lowcosetsysw.html

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Robert Hedan <robert.hedan@...> 
wrote:
>

RE : [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Board Image from Brother Laser printer on catalog paper

2006-06-16 by Robert Hedan

> -----Message d'origine-----
> De : Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com 
> [mailto:Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com] De la part de derekhawkins
> Envoyé : juin 16 2006 17:10
> À : Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
> Objet : [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Board Image from Brother Laser 
> printer on catalog paper
> 
> 
...
> aquarium pump and heater can be had at a pet store for those 
> undertaking a similar but cheaper route.
> 
> http://www.web-tronics.com/lowcosetsysw.html
> 


I tried an aquarium pump, not the base model, it was the in-between model,
$50.  It worked, kinda, then it didn't.

Robert
:)

RE : [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Board Image from Brother Laser printer on catalog paper

2006-06-16 by fenrir_co

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Robert Hedan <robert.hedan@...> 
wrote:

> ...
> > aquarium pump and heater can be had at a pet store for those 
> > undertaking a similar but cheaper route.
> > 
> > http://www.web-tronics.com/lowcosetsysw.html
> > 
> 

I have found that any kind of vertical tank system, the area closer to 
the bottom of the tank will etch faster than the part near the top. 
This is made even worse with a tank with a bubbler. The bottom half of 
the board will be finished, while the top half will still have copper. 
So you have to flip the board around at the exact halfway point to 
make sure it etches evenly. Otherwise you'll have one side majorly 
undercut by the time the whole board finishes. The most even etch I've 
gotten is with a tank with the board face down towards the ground. 
This, of course, makes it difficult to check the progress without 
making a mess.

Even with a face down tank, if you use a bubbler, the board will etch 
faster where the bubbles directly hit the board. Unless you can build 
a system where the air is distributed evenly over the whole face of 
the board, a bubbler is generally a bad idea. A better system would be 
something that agitates the solution without bubbles so that the fluid 
circulates to let fresh etchant touch the board.

RE : [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Board Image from Brother Laser printer on catalog paper

2006-06-16 by derekhawkins

>I tried an aquarium pump, not the base model, it was the in-between 
>model,$50. It worked, kinda, then it didn't.

A $10.00 pump works just fine for a few boards in a narrow tank with 
air outlets along the length of the bottom of the tank. Several bubble 
streams in close proximity to the boards are all that's required. The 
bubbles also set the boards in motion which further contributes to the 
agitation. 

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@...m, Robert Hedan <robert.hedan@...> 
wrote:
>

RE : [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Board Image from Brother Laser printer on catalog paper

2006-06-17 by derekhawkins

>I have found that any kind of vertical tank system, the area closer to
>the bottom of the tank will etch faster than the part near the top.
>This is made even worse with a tank with a bubbler. 

Frankly, I wouldn't be using this particular vertical system for 
around five years if my experience was similar to yours. 

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "fenrir_co" <fenrir@...> wrote:
>

Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Board Image from Brother Laser printer on catalog paper

2006-06-17 by Leon Heller

----- Original Message ----- 
Show quoted textHide quoted text
From: "fenrir_co" <fenrir@...>
To: <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, June 17, 2006 12:25 AM
Subject: RE : [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Board Image from Brother Laser printer on 
catalog paper


> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Robert Hedan <robert.hedan@...>
> wrote:
>
>> ...
>> > aquarium pump and heater can be had at a pet store for those
>> > undertaking a similar but cheaper route.
>> >
>> > http://www.web-tronics.com/lowcosetsysw.html
>> >
>>
>
> I have found that any kind of vertical tank system, the area closer to
> the bottom of the tank will etch faster than the part near the top.
> This is made even worse with a tank with a bubbler. The bottom half of
> the board will be finished, while the top half will still have copper.
> So you have to flip the board around at the exact halfway point to
> make sure it etches evenly. Otherwise you'll have one side majorly
> undercut by the time the whole board finishes. The most even etch I've
> gotten is with a tank with the board face down towards the ground.
> This, of course, makes it difficult to check the progress without
> making a mess.
>
> Even with a face down tank, if you use a bubbler, the board will etch
> faster where the bubbles directly hit the board. Unless you can build
> a system where the air is distributed evenly over the whole face of
> the board, a bubbler is generally a bad idea. A better system would be
> something that agitates the solution without bubbles so that the fluid
> circulates to let fresh etchant touch the board.

I think that is one reason why spray etching is usually used by the board 
manufacturers.

Leon

Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Board Image from Brother Laser printer on catalog paper

2006-06-17 by Herbert E. Plett

--- kilocycles <kilocycles@...> wrote:
...
> The ferric chloride method typically takes me 20 minutes or so.  

at room temperature (not freezing, of course) shouldn't take more than one
minute or two per half board if you 'wipe' it gently with a soft brush or tap
it with a (home made jumbo) cotton swab during etching.
the trick is to remove the 'used' etchant off the surface of the board
mechanically. no bubbles, no heating, no over etching, and you can see what you
are doing while you hold the board partially out of the bath.
with this method you actually can watch the copper disappear...


> I just happen to have a bottle of Future floor wax handy.  
>...  So you can solder right through the stuff, eh?  Have to try that.

sounds interesting to try.
what kind of stuff is this? here we don't know your brands.



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Re: Board Image from Brother Laser printer on catalog paper

2006-06-17 by fenrir_co

> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Herbert E. Plett" 
> <cachureos@> wrote:
>
> 
> 
> --- kilocycles <kilocycles@...> wrote:
> ...
> > The ferric chloride method typically takes me 20 minutes or so.  
> 
> at room temperature (not freezing, of course) shouldn't take more 
> than one
> minute or two per half board if you 'wipe' it gently with a soft 
> brush or tap
> it with a (home made jumbo) cotton swab during etching.
> the trick is to remove the 'used' etchant off the surface of the 
> board
> mechanically. no bubbles, no heating, no over etching, and you can 
> see what you
> are doing while you hold the board partially out of the bath.
> with this method you actually can watch the copper disappear...
> 

This assumes your toner transfer method will stand up to this. When I 
used Press'n'Peel with Xerox or HP laser printers, it held on fine for 
regular or bubble etching, but direct rubbing would 'flake' off the 
blue.

> 
> > I just happen to have a bottle of Future floor wax handy.  
> >...  So you can solder right through the stuff, eh?  Have to try 
> that.
> 
> sounds interesting to try.
> what kind of stuff is this? here we don't know your brands.
> 

I believe one of the names Johnson's uses for Future (in the UK at 
least) is Johnson's Kleer Floor Wax. Make sure it says acrylic based, 
/not/ wax based. Kleer is not 100% chemically the same as Future.

Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Board Image from Brother Laser printer on catalog paper

2006-06-18 by Herbert E. Plett

--- fenrir_co <fenrir@...> wrote:

> This assumes your toner transfer method will stand up to this. When I 
> used Press'n'Peel with Xerox or HP laser printers, it held on fine for 
> regular or bubble etching, but direct rubbing would 'flake' off the 
> blue.

I have never used PnP. I use epson glossy photo paper and some catalog paper on
a Xerox Phaser.
Never had toner lift off, will hold to a toothbrush if not overdone!
Once I did a very deep engraving in a copper block (abt 1mm deep) for a hot
stamp. Worked perfect, took abt. 1 hour of scrubbing and tapping with a cotton
swab...

 
> I believe one of the names Johnson's uses for Future (in the UK at 
> least) is Johnson's Kleer Floor Wax. Make sure it says acrylic based, 
> /not/ wax based. Kleer is not 100% chemically the same as Future.

will look at what Johnson's has to offer.


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