Homebrew PCBs

k i tried different papers.  left the trannys.  will probaqbly 
experiment with achieving the right temprature for trannys later.  
they do seem to leave very dark traces on the pcb and come of really 
easay.so if i can figure out how to use them properly it'll be 
great :)
meanwhile i've been busy trying out techniques.experimenting 
basically.  spent all night on it yesterday.  i got this really 
cheap generic glossy paper for laser printers. cost me $0.03 per 
sheet.  i dont think it gets any cheaper than that :P  the toner 
sticks really well if i heat it properly.about 5-10 minutes per 
board. the down side is the paper sticks to the pcb.  i left it 
overnight in room temp soapy water.  the upper layer peeled of 
rather easily, used my thumb.  the last layer was a bit stubborn but 
i got most of it off with a medium toothbrush.  made 10 boards about 
40% came out absolutely perfect.  with some a lil toner flaked of 
cause it didnt stick.more heat should solve that.  one thing that 
got me bothered was some really thin traces merged.  i think i can 
use a sharp blade to separate the traces.is that rite?
also, if i leave the boards to dry n then etch them tomorrow would 
that make any difference? as in would the oxidization of naked 
copper cause any problems in the etching process?or am i just 
worrying to much? :P read somewhere to keep them in water untill i 
need them for etching. somehow that doesnt seem rite.

and thanks for all the help guys!!!!u've all been great!!!! :D


--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "chroniclz" <chroniclz@...> 
wrote:
>
> hi,
> hope some1 can help me with this.  i've been trying the old toner 
> transfer method.  i've tried it with a couple of transparencies.  
i 
> think 1 from 3m one from a generic producer and some other. 
couldnt 
> find the hp transparency.  some even had a rough surface on one 
side 
> like i read in some post.  i tried with photocopied transparencies 
and 
> with laser printed ones.  the printed ones were much sharper 
though.  
> 
> what happens is when i iron the transparency on the board it 
shrinks 
> slightly and the design gets smudged. i i mean really smudged at 
some 
> places.  i tried it with epson glossy paper too. same thing 
happened. 
> when i ironed it the paper shrunk mostly from the middle section 
and 
> the design got smudged beyond recognition.
> 
> i'm fairly new to this. and i need serious help.  what am i doing 
> wrong?
>