Don't bother with the "Creative" laminator. You would just be wasting your
money. The process needs the higher temperature of the "Personal".
The Pulsar instructions say to run the board through twice. I had marginal
results that way. Four passes were better. Now I use eight passes and am
getting consistent results.
Bob Macklin
K5MYJ
Seattle, Wa.
"Real Radios Glow In The Dark"
----- Original Message -----
From: "kumuzu1" <bulchandani@...>
To: <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, August 26, 2010 11:33 AM
Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Before Ironing the Printed Schematic - what do
you?
>
>
> Morarcalin and others,
>
> I'm a bit of a newbie here.
>
> What was your experience like with the Laminator? The Pulsar site seems to
> suggest you need the 'Personal' one versus the 'Creative' one that you
> recommend. Personally, I'd rather use the 'Creative' one because it only
> costs ~$25 vs ~$75 for the 'Personal' one. Apparently, the Personal one
> runs at a higher temperature and this is critical for good transfers?
>
> Also, I have a Brother MFC 8840DN printer and I hear rumors that there is
> an issue with Brother toner? Is this true?
>
> I'm just embarking on this journey. I just tried making my first pcb with
> a laser cutter to do the paint removal but I found I etched away some
> traces while using the sponge/fe-cl etching method.
>
> Thanks,
>
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Bob Macklin" <macklinbob@...>
> wrote:
>>
>> I do the acetone first. The I use the Comet powder with bleach. Then I
>> work
>> it over with the 3M green pad.
>>
>> Bob Macklin
>> K5MYJ
>> Seattle, Wa.
>> "Real Radios Glow In The Dark"
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "morarcalin" <morarcalin@...>
>> To: <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com>
>> Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2010 10:28 AM
>> Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Before Ironing the Printed Schematic - what
>> do
>> you?
>>
>>
>> >
>> >
>> > I do this:
>> > 1 - Wash/clean with Comet powder then rinse with tap water
>> > 2 - Then wipe with Acetone
>> > 3 - Tonner transfer ... etch ... and so on
>> >
>> > I do not use a kitchen scrubbing pad (the harsh ones) but a cooktop
>> > scrubbing pad. Same thing as the standard 3M kitchen scrubbing pads but
>> > not as abrasive so it does not scratch the copper at all when used with
>> > Comet. I found out that scratches are not helping at all with very thin
>> > traces (I speak 5 mils traces or 0.5mm pads for LQFP packages). You
>> > should
>> > find Commet at any grocery store
>> >
>> > I found the second step to be absolutely essential. This forst cleans
>> > the
>> > board and second the acetone "remains" help the tonner to stick to the
>> > copper better. Be generous whit the acetone, use a kitchen paper towel
>> > and
>> > don't wipe the board dry, leave it air dry by itself (acetone
>> > evaporates
>> > almost instantaneous anyways). I usually do this right before
>> > "ironing".
>> > Bought my acetone from Home Depot or Lowes.
>> >
>> > Then etch with the usual "pool etching solution". I am never going back
>> > to
>> > FeCl ... :))
>> >
>> > I get consistent results each and every time. With a bit of care I was
>> > able to do 4 mill traces - 5 mil are already routine. My advice, don't
>> > skimp on buying a laminator - makes the difference. I got mine from
>> > here
>> > (http://www.presentationsdirect.com/gbc-heatseal-9-creative-pouch-laminator.html)
>> >
>> >
>> > --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Frank P" <qz9090@> wrote:
>> >>
>> >> There has been some discussion about removing toner from a PCB, but I
>> >> was
>> >> wondering what do you guys use to clean the copper clad before you
>> >> iron-on your schematic to the copper?
>> >>
>> >> I suspect some of the answers might include the use of Scotch Brite
>> >> (nylon scrubbing pad) and one the following:
>> >>
>> >> a) actone
>> >> b) rubbing alcohol
>> >> c) Tarn-x (not sure of the spelling)
>> >>
>> >> What works best for you?
>> >>
>> >> Thanks.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Frank P.
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > ------------------------------------
>> >
>> > Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and
>> > Photos:
>> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and
> Photos:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>