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

Hello all,
I am a new member here and I am very interested in the direct
resist to PCB methods that I have seen here.

I am also an ex electronics technician (some time ago) and I have had
extensive experience maintaining the higher end printers. Mostly colour
lasers and solid ink/hot wax printers but also many of the cheaper ink jet
printers. I am hoping that I can make a valuable contribution to this list.

Many years ago (about 8 to 10) I attempted to use a ink jet printer to do
what others have been successful with here. I never completed the task as I
could not get ink with resist qualities to work. In hindsight the project
would never have worked as I chose a printer that used thermal print jets
rather than piezoelectric.

From what I have read recently (please correct me if I am wrong), I need to
use an Epson printer as they are the only ones that use piezoelectric ink
jets?

Will the cheaper Epson printers that use die inks also work (with the
correct ink for resist) or do I specifically need to buy one that is already
made to work with pigment inks? In other words - will the print heads made
for die inks also work with pigment inks?

It seems that the only inks that have been useful are Epson DURABrite
magenta and MIS PRO yellow. Is this correct?

I live in Australia and there is no outlet that I can find for MIS PRO inks.
Is there an retail outlet that anyone is aware of in Australia or some where
else online that I can order MIS PRO ink from without a credit card?

I want to create digital electronics PCB's so I need to be at least able to
get down to 7 thou tracks with 12 thou clearance.

I have no trouble modifying electronics and creating the mechanics for a
flat bed printer. From a printer what I really need is the print head /
cartridge assembly and PC interface. I can make the rest and modify the
electronic to work with different stepper motors and sensors.

I really need a good starting point in choosing a printer. The cheaper the
better.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you, Robert.