Thanks for the info Ed - I have sent you a email to your email of record on QRZ.com - I'm also good there. Thank you so much for the offer of the temperature controller - just let me know the expenses so I can send money to you.
I sure hope my laminator gets here this week - I'll be doing some testing with it. I have ordered a temperature probe to check temperature with, but it won't be deliveried until early next week.
I am interested in photoresist etching also - have been doing some reading on that.
73 de Ken H> K9FV
--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Ed Smith <w4eds@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Ken,
>
> It uses two of the mechanical thermo switches. These switches are mostly used for overtemp protection because they have a lot of hysterisis. I mounted a thermocouple under one of the screws already there and drilled a .093" holr in the bottom cover to get it outside and used a temp monitor I bought years back. I have a big stock of temperature controllers in boxes out in the barn and will send you one when I get mine all together. Send me your address for that but do not expect to get it for another 3 weeks, I am very busy with other projects right now.
>
> I am impressed with the laminator but it does have terrible temp control.
>
> What I do is monitor my temp after turning on the laminator and perforn three operations as the temp rises. I watch for 100C, run the board thru to get my photo resist to lay flat but not bond, wait for 160C and run it again to bond the resist, then turn the board around and run it one more time.
>
> I did try laser toner, ran the board thru 3 times, and the toner just started sticking. It might be if you run it 7-8 times you will get results. For me, I rather stick with photo resist for now. It only requires 100C for results.
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> 73,
>
> Ed W4EDS
>
> =============================================================
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> --- On Sat, 5/23/09, sailingto <sailingto@...> wrote:
>
>
> From: sailingto <sailingto@...>
> Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: $24.95 GBC Laminator
> To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Saturday, May 23, 2009, 9:37 PM
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>
> Glad to hear someone else purchased one - that is from the ebay? My order should be here late next week - I had been wondering what temperature it would get to. With only 160C, it won't quite do for the Brother 2140 printer - I don't think anyway. Keep us informed about what temperature control you use.
>
> What is it using for a temperature sensor? Sorta hoping it might be a termosister - wouldn't that allow me to just series a resistor to increase the temperature? ... say up to 200C??? Naw, I'll bet 200C sould melt some parts.... Just wonder how high it would go for short term use? Just long enought to run a board thru 2 or 3 times?
>
> Thanks for posting your info.
>
> 73 de Ken H>
>
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@ yahoogroups. com, Ed Smith <w4eds@> wrote:
> >
> > I could not resist getting one of these laminators to check it out. Had no need for it because I have a GBC 18 inch laminator.
> >
> > Anyhow, wanted to check temp, so I installed a thermocouple and checked it out.
> >
> > With the 3 mil setting it goes up to 160C, peaks at 169C, falls back to 110C, switches off, falls to 108 Lowest temp. Big range so temp control will be added for sure.
> >
> > With 5 mil setting it goes up to 160C, peaks at 166C, falls to 122C, and low is 120C.
> >
> > Amazing they can sell this unit for $24.95 including shipping.
> >
> > Fed up to .031 material with no problem. Have not tried .063.
> >
> > Ed Smith
> > Spencer, VA
> >
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