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Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: more experiments with Toner transfer by etching the boards first

From: Bill Verstelle <verstelle@...>
Date: 2016-01-17

I think I the past that was my biggest problem I cleaned the boards so good it looked like a new penny. I has so much trouble getting toner to stick, and I tried everything, more heat, used the wife's iron, and tried every paper you could find and the best luck I had was with that blue paper made just for toner transferase then it was never perfect. But now that I pre-etch I can use any paper, such a huge difference. 

Today I'll pre-etch a board and try the cold transfer everyone it talking about. 
Bill

Sent from my iPad

On Jan 17, 2016, at 9:54 AM, 'RDHeiliger' rdheiliger@... [Homebrew_PCBs] <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 

On pre-etch boards. I read some time ago that PCB board manufacturers oxidize the copper before adhering it to the fiberglass substrate. Bare copper is difficult to bond to, but a thin oxide layer bonds well. I use cheap board that often have defects and I clean them with 400 grit sand paper on an orbital sander. Then I clean the board with lacquer thinner. What ever is in lacquer thinner creates a thin oxide layer, and aid in adhering the toner to the board. Found this also allows a lower laminator temperature, and less distortion of the toner.
 
Think this pre-etch may also be applicable to the acetone transfer method that has been documented here recently.
 
RD