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

Over the last few months, I've been trying some new techniques and
upgading my equipment. Santa brought me a Samsung ML-2010 laser
printer and a Xerox-zzzzzz laminator to replace my antique Laserjet
IIIP+ and 4" GBC laminator.

I've had some successes and failures that I' like to share with the group.

Let's get the failures over with ;)

Reynold's Foil:

Works great with the Laserjet IIIP+ and Xerox toner cartridge, but is
a miserable failure with the Samsung ML_2010 and Samsung toner. As we
have seen there is a big difference in toner chemistries, also the HP
IIP+ is built like a locomotive compared to the Samsung. Note, the
foil also doesn't work with a standard HP toner cartridge.

Successes:

Xerox xxxxxxx laminator:

Great design, very rigid and heavy. It has a heavy duty heating
element. It has a thermostat and a setting for foil. I found one pass
is all that is needed.It will run standard thickness pcbs. The trick
is to put them in at a slight angle so the rollers will grab a corner
first.It's available at Staples for $39 after a $20 mail in rebate.

Removing clay coated inkjet paper:

I found that automatic dish washing detergent helps wet out and remove
the paper. I let the board soak for 10 minutes in a solution and the
paper comes off very easily.It's probably the alkalinity in the
detergent that helps. After the soak, I use a 3M green pad to rub off
the paper. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the white haze that
was usually left on the toner for the clay also was removed. The
traces looked nice and black.

TANSTAAFL!

I'll post some photos, later.

Myc