--- In
Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Stefan Trethan"
<stefan_trethan@g...> wrote:
>if you are ironing by hand, the pressure is so subjective. One might
>get it perfect one time and not the next.
When I was wondering about the pressure once, I sat a bathroom scale
on the counter and pressed down on it with a push-up (exercise) handle
thing that was about like the iron. It varied between 20-40 pounds on
the scale. I was thinking that maybe 'always' having a scale might
make for more consistent results, but haven't done it yet. The scales
are only a couple inches thick and solid enough to stand on. They
might need a plate of something nice and flat on top though. -The
nearby clock with a second hand is also obviously a help.
I've coincidentally lightened the contrast too on my LaserJet 6L. I
had a minor blurred trace problem too, but have moved to lighter
pressure like some of you guys, and the prints are plenty dark even
with it up a notch. It seems like nice lite or medium pressure, moving
around the board a lot and sort of focusing on the small pointed end
of the iron doesn't have many ill affects, even with much longer
overall time. My only real remaining problems are really thick wide
areas and foolishly running extra thin traces all the way around the
edge borders of the PCB. I'm trying to stop doing that with my
layouts, or to make sure I have more than enough board space (I can
belt sand them down afterward). I'll also be trying to use grid-type
pours where I can. The intricate small stuff luckily comes out really
nice.
>I may make 2 or 3 in a month and then go several months before I make
>another
Ditto! (sucks doesn't it?) I always expect at least one or two tests
to remember what the heck I did last time. Wiping the stuff off is no
biggie though, and you only lose a few minutes. I need to figure out
what I did with my acetone. I've been using regular paint thinner and
it takes a bit of a scrub to get the toner crap off. After the initial
cleaning and a couple of those, I've probably eaten half my copper. :(
Happy New Year!,
George