On Mon, 27 Jun 2016 10:59:34 +0100, you wrote:
>Thanks Harvy and Phil
>It has been quite frustrating as I'd assumed I'd payed particulate
>attention to cleaning the board. I'll try the wet/dry method to see if it
>improves.
The main problem with board that I've seen is either oils/contaminants
or (perhaps) a too smooth surface. You don't want it very rough, but
I generally do a sanding with 1000 grit wet/dry paper, then a cleaning
with an abrasive cleaner, such as bon-ami. I wear gloves during all
stages. At the very last, I will clean with an acetone wipe. You
will find that as the water dries, the board will discolor. This
apparently makes no difference, and the discoloration will not survive
contact with the etchant.
>
>Wiill any laminator do or should I look for a particular type?
I use a GBC creative laminator, very inexpensive, but does not like
1/16 inch boards. It prefers thinner boards.
I do run the board through anything between 6 and 8 times depending on
the size of the board. 3 or four times facing up, and 3 or 4 times
facing down (makes heat transfer more even, I think).
The Pulsar paper just floats off, since it's dextrose coated paper.
Costs about 1 dollar a sheet, you cut to more or less size and hold in
place (one place, leading edge), with a cut down laser label.
>I'll take a look at pulsar but with the blue press and peel at the moment
>it's getting rather expensive.
A board will likely cost you anything between a dollar and 3 dollars
depending on size.
>
>I like the sound of the heat less method there's a tutorial here-
>http://www.instructables.com/id/Heatless-cold-Toner-Transfer-for-PCB-Making/
>
>I'm tempted to do the double layers on two thinner boards saves much grief
>but I don't like to be best ( but I'm close).
With the dual board method, you want to use a slow setting (1 hour)
epoxy (don't ask why). stubby pins for the registration holes, and
very precise drilling for those holes. I'd suggest the upside down
drill press or the camera/optical method of determining exactly where
the drill will go. Looking from the side introduces a parallax error
which can and will ruin two layer boards.
>
>The results weren't two bad on the actual board had plent of filling in
>with the sharpie but vias and oval tracks aren't easy.
You may find that the green film will help a lot.
Harvey
>Mark p dig pcb. attempt
><https://beta.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Homebrew_PCBs/photos/albums/254242919>
>
>Thanks for now
>
>
>On Monday, 27 June 2016, Phil Quinton phil.quinton@...
>[Homebrew_PCBs] <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> Mark,
>>
>> I've used press and peel for a while. I've not done a huge number of
>> boards, but I did get varying results. I've not done double sided and to be
>> honest, based on how fiddly it is I'd probably not try. Here's what I found
>> (for single sided) helped:
>>
>> 1. Make sure the print settings have the contrast as high as possible..
>> you want it very very black.
>> 2. Make sure the copper is spotless, and I mean spotless. I used 600 grit
>> wet and dry (no water) to "polish" the copper. In truth it covers the
>> surface with a lot of very fine scratches.. but it gets rid of any
>> oxidisation on the surface.
>> 3. Clean the board with IPA. At this point you don't want to get your
>> fingers on it as I found the oils from my fingers upset things.
>> 4. Place cut press 'n' peel on the board, put a piece of paper on back and
>> apply hot iron for a bit.
>> 5. Remove iron and paper, and run through laminator a few times.
>> 6. Let is stand to cool, then remove press 'n' peel.
>>
>> The issue I always found was with the iron/laminator not heating the board
>> up correctly, or poor consistency. After many attempts and a few good and
>> bad boards, I gave up. It was reading this list, and the recent discussion
>> of the cold transfer process, that got be back to making my own PCB's
>> again. The cold transfer process (with gloss laser paper) has, so far,
>> given me consistent results.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Phil.
>>
>> On 26/06/16 16:41, mark.phillis@...
>> <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','mark.phillis@...');> [Homebrew_PCBs]
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>> Hi all.
>>
>> I've been a member for a while now subscribing some time ago when I was
>> intending to try my hand at making my own pcb. I've now got around to
>> making my very first.
>>
>>
>> My first attempt while not looking bad didn't cut the mustard. It's a
>> double sided pcb. I send Kicad to draw my circuit and lay out the PCB. I
>> purchase some press and peel at a very costly £19 and have to admit I used
>> most of it before being happy with results. I've followed the instructions,
>> watched hours of online videos before even starting. Using an old toner
>> printer the print came out really well but when it came to transferring the
>> image to the board I was less than pleased. To try and overcome missing
>> areas I enlarged my traces and vias but sill did not come out as I'd like.
>> Admitting defeat I used a sharpie to fill in. Being double sided I made
>> registration dots to aid lining up I even drilled the the board and was
>> convinced the lining up would be spot on...HOW wrong was I. Not far out but
>> the Vias did not line up.
>>
>> I am somewhat deflated but don't want to give in. I really thing it's time
>> to move from 'press and peel' to save loss of cash.mbut I thing I need
>> advice.
>>
>> I looking for advice on-
>>
>> Do I move away from 'Pres and pell blue'?
>>
>> Would running it twice give my better results?
>>
>> How to line up double layers.?
>>
>>
>> I'll put a cpouple of photos in to show.
>>
>> Thanks in advance Mark
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>