Phil,
If it's one thing I am, it is telling it like it is. As for my
first attempts at isolation milling, more effort needs to be put
into it. There is only so much one can learn from running the
first "real part" on a process that is being done for the first
time, on a machine that is running it's first part, using embedded
software in about 10 different micros for the first time, using CNC
control running a part for the first time, on electronics designed
by me :-)
Virtually every aspect and element of this machine is new. Chances
are if it is anything bigger than the most basic of components, I
had to design and make it and program it. So I expect lots of
problems in the debugging process. Heck, if I expected it to work
on the first part, I should also be able to walk on water at will!
As for your first attempt at toner transfer, well, you didn't make
an attempt at all. It certainly isn't perfect, but it can and will
give you very good results up to the limits of the technology. If
you are serious about trying it, you may want to put a little more
effort into it, otherwise stick with the board houses. No doubt they
will produce a better PCB that you can at home.
Chris
--- In
Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Phil Mattison"
<mattison20@...> wrote:
>
> It's nice to hear someone air the dirty laundry. People usually
don't talk
> much about what didn't work. I've been pretty leary about the
isolation
> milling route (pun intended) so I tried the toner transfer method
yesterday.
> I was not impressed with that either. Granted, I used regular
laser paper
> but the results were so bad I didn't have much confidence in
better paper
> either. The toner appeared to cover well but came off way too
easy. If I
> have to iron for 15 minutes and maybe make multiple attempts it's
just not
> worth the trouble. I'm not that broke. So I bought a bottle of
spray-on
> negative resist and a can of developer, about $15 together. I've
used it
> before and it's a piece of cake, works perfect every time. If I
use the mill
> for drilling only I can avoid most of those Z axis problems as
well, and
> maybe keep the time consumed down to a level where it is worth the
trouble.
> There is some point at which it is actually more cost-effective to
pay for
> prototypes.
> --
> Phil Mattison
> http://www.ohmikron.com/
> Motors::Drivers::Controllers::Software