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Subject: Re: Toner transfer experiments and a fix for cheap

From: "wbblair3" <wbblair3@...>
Date: 2006-02-07

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "adicont2" <adicont2@...> wrote:

> A perfect board preparation is crucial for good results. I have same
> problem in the past and I blame my iron too. Now I spent at least 10
> minutes to board preparation (Scoch&Brite + Ajax + hard work).
> My iron seting is in 200C range. This temperature is ok for my tipe of
> tonner.

I spent maybe three minutes tops preparing my board for this test
using the same Scotchbrite/Ajax technique. That included removing
toner adhered to the board from my previous, unsuccessful attempt.

In short, by tacking the glossy magazine-cover paper artwork to the
board using a cheap ($30) thermal laminator, bringing the board (in
just a few minutes) to the toner fusion temperature of 200C in an oven
and running it through the laminator again, I get an absolutely
perfect transfer with a laminator that otherwise wouldn't be suitable
for toner transfer. All of this took a matter of minutes and there
were no additional variables related to iron technique or iron
temperature (which would be an unknown for most people since they
don't have a thermal sensor gun to measure it with).

And keep in mind that the reason I purchased this particular $30
laminator in the first place was to discover whether it worked as well
as the previous $99 - $149 Royal model PL2000 which was listed as
being very good for toner transfer. When it didn't, I found a
workaround that should be applicable to all individuals who are stuck
with a thermal laminator that doesn't work well in a toner transfer role.

Bill