I've been playing with the GBC laminator today. I jumpered one of the thermal switches so I could get a higher temperature on the 3 mill setting. I have a digital meat probe that will insert in thru the inlet plastic to touch metal. There with the set switch to 5mil setting the temp runs about 320F max. is that about what others are getting?
With the switch set in the 3mil position where the thermal switch is jumpered (testing purposes only) out the temp will get well over 425F.
Any idea where the over temperature switch cuts out? I removed that to be sure it wasn't shuting off early.
I have to get the temp up over 300F myself for the traces that were printed on normal laser printers.
With my brother 2140 laser printer I get the temperature up over 350F, then start running a double sided .062 board (2-1/2"X 3-12") thru with different leading edges each pass. By the time 6 or 8 passes are completed, the temperature is up around 400F to 425F. I got good toner transfer both times.
I did find the toner does not stick as well as when I was using two metal plates clamped together. Does running the PCB back thru the laminator after removing the paper help make the toner stick better?
I may have to order another one of these $25 laminators just to have a spare if (when??) this one burns out.
Ken H>
--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, DJ Delorie <dj@...> wrote:
>
>
> "RICHARD HEILIGER" <rdheiliger@...> writes:
> > I almost never loose any traces.
>
> My boards tend to have enough traces on them that "almost never" is
> often enough to ruin most boards.
>
> What toner are you using that sticks at 260F? Mine barely sticks at
> 320F.
>