--- In
Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "skatefriday" <craigm543@...> wrote:
>
>
>
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Jan Kok <jan.kok.5y@> wrote:
> >
> > > Are you using a recent vintage samsung with samsung toner?
> > > I'd guess you have an HP.
> >
> > Yup, I have an HP.
> >
> > It sounds like Samsung uses a different toner formula. Have you
> > campared how the toner transfer process works for the Samsung printers
> > compared to HP or others?
>
> I don't have access to any other printers and am
> new to the hobby. However, I've found that Samsung
> toner on Staples glossy photo paper transfers
> quite well.
>
> I tried a glossy magazine and the toner spread enough
> to short some of my traces. I was using the highest
> heat setting on my iron. I have yet to try a lower
> heat with magazine paper to see if it won't spread.
> But I get no spread on the same heat setting with
> the photo paper. Perhaps it's because the thicker
> photo paper transfers heat more slowly?
>
> The photo paper however leaves a thin film of gunk
> on the board that is hard to remove. But then again
> so is the Samsung toner. :-)
>
I use a Samsung printer (ML-1665) and went through the same process with the same results over the past couple months. I settled on glossy Staples paper since magazines gave the problems you mentioned, and I tried various heat levels and durations of applying the iron. Though the gummy paper remnants (of the gloss coating I think) are difficult to fully remove from tight areas. (I tried pulling off the gumminess with packing tape as suggested by someone on this group, which helps but doesn't entirely remove it).
I soaked the etched board for up to 1/2 hour in acetone (full strength, off the shelf from Home Depot) and it did pretty much nothing. I use sandpaper/steel wool to actually remove the toner.
My results have been pretty good, by my novice standards. A couple times I have just left much of the toner where I didn't need to solder, kind of ugly, since it was so hard to remove.
Maybe I will try the Goofoff/Xylene as someone suggested.