Archive of the former Yahoo!Groups mailing list: Homebrew PCBs

Chris,

I presume you are using a laminator (if not- that is a different
subject :))) I am not in favor of pre-etching because it adds
another wet-dirt operation. What I do is this:
1. Use paper from Staples, stock number is in the database. That ia
an inkjet paper that I use in my laser printer I got used for $20,
rather unimpressive (small) Lexmark Optra. I have add that before I
was trying all kinds of paper and the results were all over the map.
In fact I have a collection of all kinds of papers and nothing worked
well FOR ME. I hear that lots of guys are happy with Menstruation
Press Paper (Bridal Magazine for You, Baking Laminated Cookies, Heavy
Duty Knitting, etc)- I have't tested that option yet.

2. GBC laminaotor, converted according to a dissertation at
www.pulsar.gs Great result but I hope never to do it again.

3. kitchen 3M cleaning pad, non metallic.

4. I don't do heavy cleaning in fact I do very little cleaning, clean
with detergent, clean with the pad, again detergent and dry it out. I
takes maybe 2 minutes to get it including drying...

5. Stick the paper onto the PCB roll dozen or so times thru a magic
Printed Circuit Board Producing Device (PCBPD) and off to a bathtub.
Few minutes and it's 100% proof.

Now, I recall having problems that you described when I used steam
iron (no steam), large PCBs, thin tracks and chancy paper. No amount
of cleaning would help and I even used a palm sander with all kinds
of different sand papers. What helped me is using a laminator and the
correct (for me :))) paper. Mike