I have tried both of the procedures described below, with varying results. The last board I did, however, I kept having trouble getting everything to line up using either of these. Finally, I wiped the board clean on both sides and tried something else -- something I had tried before, with only mediocre results, but since I was having so much trouble I decided to give it another try:
I printed out both sides, put them together with the toner facing each other, and held them up to the light so that I could line them up exactly; then I stapled the sheets together, leaving room to put the board into the "pocket." I put the board in and ran this through the laminator; once the paper was stuck down, I cut off the excess (including the staples) and ran it through enough times to be sure I had a good transfer. The result was the best I've ever achieved -- essentially perfect as far as my naked eye can see.
I'm not sure if I just got lucky this time, or it I just didn't do it very well when I tried it before. The last time I tried this was before I had a laminator, so I was using an iron; maybe that made the difference. In any case, on my next board I plan to try this first and see if I can reproduce the excellent result I got this time.
--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "sailingto" <sailingtoo@...> wrote:
>
> That sounds like a very good procedure - I just might try it. I usually drill a .021 hole in the corner mounting holes, with a tiny hole thru the same mounting hole in the paper, press a pin thru the paper and board holes to hold paper in alignment, start in laminator and as board gets started good, remove pins so the board can go on thru. "Most" of the time this works pretty good.
>
> Using as large a pad as possible, and not having a hole in the center of copper pad allows drilling all from one side. "IF" the other side isn't perfect, it is usually close enough to be in the pad on other side. Not perfect, but works.
>
> I think I'll try your method on next board.
>
> Ken H>
>
>
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Alessio Sangalli <alesan@> wrote:
> >
> > Hi, what is your "technique" to properlu align double-face boards? I am
> > using toner transfer and a laminator. So far thge best method I've found is:
> >
> > 1) print out the two faces on special paper. Make some holes in
> > reference points, I use the mounting holes.
> > 2) put only one "face" in the laminator with the board and pass it a
> > couple of times until it is fully "attached".
> > 3) wait for it to cool down
> > 4) drill holes in the PCB using the holes in the paper as reference
> > 5) align the second face on the back and put it in the laminator, and
> > pass it several times
> >
> > 6) proceed with removal and etching etc
> >
> > Do you have any advice?
> > bye
> > as
> >
>