On Mon, 30 Aug 2010 09:29:27 -0400 (EDT), you wrote:
>Guys, thanks very much, I appreciate the feedback.
>
>I can definitely see some mistakes I've been making with the transfer method...it really surprised me to find out from several of you that 8 passes are sometimes needed, it honestly didn't occur to me that additional passes would make any difference.
>
>I have to make a fundamental decision...whether to try yet again to make the toner transfer method work....I mean, I DO have all the stuff, the special paper, the green film, the laminator, etc., etc., ...and just get CRAZY about cleaning boards, using solvent, doing a zillion passes, etc., and WORKING on the process until I finally get it to work RIGHT....
>
>....or to go straight to the photoresist method. I realized in writing this I accidentally lied...I had forgotten that even though I did buy an exposure setup and photoresist boards, etc., I never tried using that method...because the cost of those photoresist boards seemed too high to me.
>
>So....go crazy on the toner transfer method until I get it RIGHT, or go with photoresist and accept the higher cost of the boards....
Photoresist, especially with pre coated boards, is more expensive,
gives better results.
Toner transfer is cheaper, and for 16 mill boards (and larger) does a
good job. It's not indistinguishable from photoresist (always sharper
lines), but by far. cheaper.
I'd be tempted to use both, or at lease, go through your stock of
paper and blank board until you have the process in hand, making
boards that work well with the process.
For finer boards, you may want to consider the photo process.
I make boards with 10/10 (10 mil, 10 mil spacing), double sided,
non-plated through holes. I still have some chancy results here and
there but the TT process does work.
Photo would be better, I do have the capability of doing SS boards,
but most of mine are DS.
Note that TT can still do such things as silk screen layers.
I may go to photoresist, but buying film and laminating my own boards.
Depends.
I may also go to a board house for about 2 or 3 of the more
complicated boards, but those are low demand boards, very complicated.
It's a tradeoff.
Harvey
>
>Any consensus on this?
>
>Very Best, Charlie
>
>
>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>------------------------------------
>
>Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and Photos:
>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>