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Laminator + Iron

Laminator + Iron

2010-02-15 by thedancarter

Hi all,

I recently gave TT another try after giving up and going back to photo boards.

Problem was inconsistent pressure with iron, or crappy Aldi laminator not hot enough.

Solution was to use both - �2.50 iron from Argos, �10 laminator. The iron just sits on top of paper on board (on a sheet of plywood - no ironing board or whatever necessary) for a couple of minutes, to get it hot, then into the laminator twice to apply even pressure.

So for has worked every time (using magazine paper) - might be worth a try for anyone having inconsistent results.

Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Laminator + Iron

2010-02-16 by Donald H Locker

Thank you for the idea, Dan.  Best of both worlds!

Donald.
----- "thedancarter" <thedancarter@...> wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> Hi all,
> 
> I recently gave TT another try after giving up and going back to photo
> boards.
> 
> Problem was inconsistent pressure with iron, or crappy Aldi laminator
> not hot enough.
> 
> Solution was to use both - £2.50 iron from Argos, £10 laminator. The
> iron just sits on top of paper on board (on a sheet of plywood - no
> ironing board or whatever necessary) for a couple of minutes, to get
> it hot, then into the laminator twice to apply even pressure.
> 
> So for has worked every time (using magazine paper) - might be worth a
> try for anyone having inconsistent results.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------------
> 
> Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and
> Photos:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links
> 
> 
>

RE: [Homebrew_PCBs] Laminator + Iron

2010-02-16 by Jim Barnes

Hi,

 

I agree. Sounds like a good idea. I’ll try it as soon as I can buy a cheap iron, since my wife won’t let me use hers. Does anyone know how hot the iron should be to transfer the toner?

 

Jim
Show quoted textHide quoted text
From: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Donald H Locker
Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 3:30 AM
To: Homebrew PCBs
Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Laminator + Iron

 

  

Thank you for the idea, Dan. Best of both worlds!

Donald.
----- "thedancarter" <thedancarter@... <mailto:thedancarter%40yahoo.co.uk> > wrote:

> Hi all,
> 
> I recently gave TT another try after giving up and going back to photo
> boards.
> 
> Problem was inconsistent pressure with iron, or crappy Aldi laminator
> not hot enough.
> 
> Solution was to use both - £2.50 iron from Argos, £10 laminator. The
> iron just sits on top of paper on board (on a sheet of plywood - no
> ironing board or whatever necessary) for a couple of minutes, to get
> it hot, then into the laminator twice to apply even pressure.
> 
> So for has worked every time (using magazine paper) - might be worth a
> try for anyone having inconsistent results.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------------
> 
> Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and
> Photos:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links
> 
> 
> 





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Re: Laminator + Iron

2010-02-16 by sailingto

Why not just run the bare copper board thru the laminator a few times until it's not, then do the toner transfer with laminator?

Only one piece of equip that way.

Ken H>

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "thedancarter" <thedancarter@...> wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
>
> Hi all,
> 
> I recently gave TT another try after giving up and going back to photo boards.
> 
> Problem was inconsistent pressure with iron, or crappy Aldi laminator not hot enough.
> 
> Solution was to use both - �2.50 iron from Argos, �10 laminator. The iron just sits on top of paper on board (on a sheet of plywood - no ironing board or whatever necessary) for a couple of minutes, to get it hot, then into the laminator twice to apply even pressure.
> 
> So for has worked every time (using magazine paper) - might be worth a try for anyone having inconsistent results.
>

Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Laminator + Iron

2010-02-16 by Donald H Locker

Need the heat.  If the laminator doesn't have the power, or if its temperature control is set too low, it will never get the board up to temperature.  Heating the board with a flat iron will overcome this deficiency.

Donald.
----- "sailingto" <sailingtoo@...> wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> Why not just run the bare copper board thru the laminator a few times
> until it's not, then do the toner transfer with laminator?
> 
> Only one piece of equip that way.
> 
> Ken H>
> 
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "thedancarter"
> <thedancarter@...> wrote:
> >
> > Hi all,
> > 
> > I recently gave TT another try after giving up and going back to
> photo boards.
> > 
> > Problem was inconsistent pressure with iron, or crappy Aldi
> laminator not hot enough.
> > 
> > Solution was to use both - �2.50 iron from Argos, �10 laminator.
> The iron just sits on top of paper on board (on a sheet of plywood -
> no ironing board or whatever necessary) for a couple of minutes, to
> get it hot, then into the laminator twice to apply even pressure.
> > 
> > So for has worked every time (using magazine paper) - might be worth
> a try for anyone having inconsistent results.
> >

Re: Laminator + Iron

2010-02-17 by sailingto

OK, I think I understand - the iron does the actual toner transfer, then the laminator rolls with pressure to make the toner stick - is that the idea?

ken H.

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Donald H Locker <dhlocker@...> wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
>
> Need the heat.  If the laminator doesn't have the power, or if its temperature control is set too low, it will never get the board up to temperature.  Heating the board with a flat iron will overcome this deficiency.
> 
> Donald.
> ----- "sailingto" <sailingtoo@...> wrote:
> 
> > Why not just run the bare copper board thru the laminator a few times
> > until it's not, then do the toner transfer with laminator?
> > 
> > Only one piece of equip that way.
> >

Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Laminator + Iron

2010-02-17 by Donald H Locker

Pretty much.  The iron supplies the majority of the heat and the laminator provides the majority of the pressure.

Donald.
----- "sailingto" <sailingtoo@...> wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> OK, I think I understand - the iron does the actual toner transfer,
> then the laminator rolls with pressure to make the toner stick - is
> that the idea?
> 
> ken H.
> 
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Donald H Locker <dhlocker@...>
> wrote:
> >
> > Need the heat.  If the laminator doesn't have the power, or if its
> temperature control is set too low, it will never get the board up to
> temperature.  Heating the board with a flat iron will overcome this
> deficiency.
> > 
> > Donald.
> > ----- "sailingto" <sailingtoo@...> wrote:
> > 
> > > Why not just run the bare copper board thru the laminator a few
> times
> > > until it's not, then do the toner transfer with laminator?
> > > 
> > > Only one piece of equip that way.
> > > 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------------
> 
> Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and
> Photos:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links
> 
> 
>

Re: Laminator + Iron

2010-02-17 by sailingto

Lez, are you saying do the board/paper/iron to heat, then let cool for 10 minutes before the laminator? OR are you saying to heat with iron for 10 minutes to get up to temperature, then before any cooling to laminator?

ken H>

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Lez <lez.briddon@...> wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
>
> So is the setup board/paper/iron, wait 10 mins, then board/paper into laminator?
> 
> and which laminator you using?
>

Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Laminator + Iron

2010-02-17 by Donald H Locker

Though I haven't tried it yet, I will start with 5 minutes of heat (Linen or Cotton) (and adjust as needed from there), then pass through the laminator without pause.

Donald.
----- "sailingto" <sailingtoo@...> wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> Lez, are you saying do the board/paper/iron to heat, then let cool for
> 10 minutes before the laminator? OR are you saying to heat with iron
> for 10 minutes to get up to temperature, then before any cooling to
> laminator?
> 
> ken H>
> 
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Lez <lez.briddon@...> wrote:
> >
> > So is the setup board/paper/iron, wait 10 mins, then board/paper
> into laminator?
> > 
> > and which laminator you using?
> >
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------------
> 
> Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and
> Photos:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links
> 
> 
>

Re: Laminator + Iron

2010-02-17 by sailingto

Donald - I don't remember if you mentioned what laminator you have.  I take it your laminator doesn't get hot enough on high setting?

Ken H>

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Donald H Locker <dhlocker@...> wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
>
> Though I haven't tried it yet, I will start with 5 minutes of heat (Linen or Cotton) (and adjust as needed from there), then pass through the laminator without pause.
> 
> Donald.

Re: Laminator + Iron

2010-02-17 by thedancarter

Guys,

I have two laminators, one from aldi, one from WHSmiths - both were total failures on own, as not hot enough.

The exact process I use is.

1. Magazine paper on top of board, on top of plywood scrap.
2. Iron goes on top of paper, cold, covering as much as possible (usually all)
3. 1200W Iron goes on on cotton (hottest setting)
4. turn it on, let it sit for about 3 minutes - really not very long (this will depend on how fast your iron warms up of course)
5. pick up with gloves, as now very hot. paper is stuck to board enough to not fall off, but not so you can use it yet
6. into laminator 2 passes(which has been warming up and is at temp)
7. Straight into cold water for a couple of minutes
8. paper peels off, leaving fibres stuck to toner, rub off with finger

obviously YMMV with different iron, laminator, paper, toner, fingers etc, but this works for me.

Regards,
Dan

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "sailingto" <sailingtoo@...> wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
>
> Donald - I don't remember if you mentioned what laminator you have.  I take it your laminator doesn't get hot enough on high setting?
> 
> Ken H>
> 
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Donald H Locker <dhlocker@> wrote:
> >
> > Though I haven't tried it yet, I will start with 5 minutes of heat (Linen or Cotton) (and adjust as needed from there), then pass through the laminator without pause.
> > 
> > Donald.
>

Re: Laminator + Iron

2010-02-18 by James

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Donald H Locker <dhlocker@...> wrote:
>
> Need the heat.  If the laminator doesn't have the power, or if its temperature control is set too low, it will never get the board up to temperature.  Heating the board with a flat iron will overcome this deficiency.
> 
>


The few laminators I've looked at had very simple temperature controls. Changing a single resistor will usually let you increase the temperature.

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