Further to that, acetone is miscible with water which is really easy to find, so that may be an adequate diluent. I feel a bout of experimentation coming on! (I'm planning to use the inkjet paper with the dextrin surface, figuring that the dextrin will be softened/dissolved by the diluent while the toner will be softened by the acetone. Dextrin will then release the toner after it has had time to adhere to the circuit board.
Many thanks to the OP for noting this, and to the instructables author for the presentation.
Donald.
----- Original Message -----
> From: "rolohar@... [Homebrew_PCBs]" <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com>
> To: "Homebrew PCBs" <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Thursday, January 7, 2016 2:27:09 PM
> Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Heatless (cold) Toner Transfer for PCB making
>
>
>
> 1. It seems that the primary functions of the alcohol are to (a) clean the
> PCB and and artwork,
> and (b) dilute the effectivity of the acetone, then I do not see the need for
> "exotic" materials.
>
> 2. If the function of the acetone is to soften the laser toner so that under
> slight pressure it will
> get "sticky" and adhere to the copper, then it seems that there is no
> requirement for a "special" type of acetone, as any acetone will soften and
> eventually dissolve
> laser toner.
>
> I don't know what type of "blending" takes place between the alcohol and the
> acetone,
> if there is actually anything like cross-linking, etc. I doubt it.
>
> 3. If I can dig up some unwanted PCB artwork that was copied on a laser
> printer (on glossly paper),
> I'll do a quick and dirty experiment with the materials I have on hand, which
> would be
> 90% Iso, and off-the-shelf acetone from my local hardware store.
>
> I'm just not understanding the need for difficult-to-obtain compounds for
> such a simple
> operation.
>
> I hope some others will try whatever materials they have and we can see if
> this very
> alluring process can be made totally practical.
>
> BTW: On YouTube, there is also a video showing how to use shipping tape, like
> the
> Scotch shipping tape product, to transfer laser generated artwork to PCB's
> Looks very interesting.
>
> I don't have a laser printer, so I can't try it.
>
> Regards.
>
> Roland F. Harriston, P.D.
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
>
> From: "Jean-Paul Louis louijp@... [Homebrew_PCBs]"
> <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com>
> To: "Homebrew PCBs" <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Thursday, January 7, 2016 10:45:22 AM
> Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Heatless (cold) Toner Transfer for PCB making
>
>
>
> Hi Steve,
>
> I agree with you. I just found out about the Everclear product.
>
> 190 proof is 95% pure ethanol, so it should work just fine for the purpose.
>
> 73 de Jean-Paul
> N1JPL
>
> > On Jan 7, 2016, at 12:06 PM, alienrelics@... [Homebrew_PCBs]
> > <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
> >
> > Everclear 190 proof is available for around $30 per liter, after tax. Not
> > sure why everyone is getting worked up about getting even more pure
> > ethanol.
> >
> >
> > Steve Greenfield AE7HD
> >
> >
>
>
>
>