[sdiy] if You Make PCB's @ home

[Robert Kent]

I've been using this paper as well, with excellent results. Often the 
local Fry's has it on sale for $.99--I usually grab another package 
whenever I stop in. It's also available online at Fry's outpost.com
site as part #2687282.

Here's a board made to fairly critical tolerances using the paper:

http://ccsi.com/~hanuman/board.jpg

The side facing the camera wasn't ironed as thoroughly as the other side,
leaving a couple of the thinner traces looking ragged. Considering each 
side came out acceptably on the first try, I consider that a ringing 
endorsement.

I've also used this paper for front panel designs on aluminum and brass.
Here's an example:

http://ccsi.com/~hanuman/clangora.jpg

The transferred image is impressively robust on copper, not so much on 
aluminum. To be on the safe side I sprayed it with several coats of clear 
lacquer before drilling, which turned out to be a mistake since the 
lacquer has poor adhesion as well and chips easily. The final result
is reasonably durable. Note the slight smearing on the upper left.

Some notes on the process:

A backing sheet of plain paper is a must, otherwise the photo paper tends 
to melt onto the iron. Maybe it's just my iron but I find longer ironing, 
to the point of slightly toasting the paper, gives better results. When 
everything gets hot enough the toner image is visible through both sheets 
of paper. However, too much heat can smear the toner--YMMV.

Unlike the clay-based photo papers often used for toner transfer, soaking
in water is not necessary; the paper should pull cleanly away. The one
time I did try soaking, the water reacted with the paper surface to form
a nearly indestructible glue on the workpiece.

I print artwork from xfig or Cadsoft Eagle on an HP LaserJet 1100, which
is not the best printer but works well. Large black areas sometimes have
pinholes or poor adhesion, requiring touchup.

Thanks for sharing this info! It's too good to keep secret. I don't know 
what my excuse was.

--Robert

On Tue, 8 Feb 2005, s wrote:

> Hi guys-
>
> if any of you make PCBs at home, I discovered a photo
> paper that's great for doing a toner transfer of the
> pcb design to the copper.
>
> I found it at fry's, if you have one nearby. It's
> called "Professional Quality Glossy Photo Paper For
> High Resolution Inkjet Printers"
>
> It's the cheapest paper they have- Cost's $3.99 for 20
> sheets, but it's been on sale for $1.99 lately.
>
> You just iron it on to the pcb, after treating it with
> scotchbrite pads and cleaning it with acetone. You'll
> need to iron on for between 3-5 minutes, making sure
> each and every part gets lots of heat & pressure. Make
> sure you press down with decent pressure.
>
> But, I've made 2 boards so far with it, and it works
> about perfectly. Plus, it's MUCH cheaper than the blue
> transfer sheets.
>
> Hope this might help someone...
>
> s
>
>
>
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