Archive of the former Yahoo!Groups mailing list: Homebrew PCBs

Thank you for the SMT instructions Ancel.
I was just taking a shot at the $15 EBAY craft foil ...before spending more on the GREEN TRF.....
so that was a successful surprise. I've never played with toner transfer pigments like this stuff.

 
So whats up with modding $100 laminators?

How about a mod for the $18 laminators?

http://www.learnmorsecode.com/laminator/al9.html

I've torn down both.... a heavy duty $100 laminator and a dirt cheap laminator and
they have the same synchronous 31 mA motors and a pair of heating elements.
Seems the $100 laminators have more metal.... mine has 4 rollers.
BUT
both had plastic gears...... which I melted.
http://www.learnmorsecode.com/laminator/index.html

I settled into heavy metal press method after melting that plastic gear and not being able to find
a replacement metal gear.
http://www.learnmorsecode.com/laminator/hotcakes.html

Ancel.....I think you would sell more JAMECO mod kits if you could pick a laminator that is cheaper.

 

The standard EBAY craft foil is what is resold as Green TRF for more $$$.
Rather than nail polish, any imperfections are easily touched up by a
silver sharpie, black is less effective. Then use 220 or 320 grit
sandpaper to shine the copper after the etch is done and a thin wipe of
petroleum jelly to seal the copper and make it a bit tacky for
installation of SMT parts. Soldering vaporizes the pet. jelly. Optional
application of a silver coating
(http://www.cool-amp.com/cool_amp.html?gclid=CMTl67m89tACFUkjgQodXzoOOg)
for a professional look.

Also, as the developer of the Apache AL13P single pass mod for single or
double sided toner transfer AND foil transfer....I am pleased to report
that the Trulam320B laminator ($99 @ Amazon)is a rebadged AL13P from my
inspection.
I will be shortly verify this by adding the DIY mod to make it a dual
paper & PCB laminator. Then I'll post the images and guides on my Hacker
ApacheAL13P mod site for all.
Ancel