Homebrew PCBs

--- sethkoster <sethkoster@...> wrote:
> 
>    I'm following the instructions I found at Tom Gootee's webpage
> http://www.fullnet.com/u/tomg/gooteepc.htm and I am having trouble
> getting traces to transfer from paper to board.   I am using a Brother
> HL-2040 with the Staples "Photo Basic" gloss paper (SKU# 471861).  
> After finding this group I've learned that many (most?) of you use a
> laminator but all I am using is an iron set to highest, pressing
> really hard for about 5 minutes then using only the tip and rubbing it
> hard over the entire board.
>    I'm using traces of .05 for power and ground, .025 for everything
> else and .010 for really narrow spaces.   All the tracee sizes show
> multiple breaks but it seems like the .025 traces have the most breaks.
>    After several attempts I finally decided to try etching on a
> practice board and I found that by the time the copper was gone many
> of the toner traces had lifted.
>    So does anyone have any ideas?   Thanks!

at first thought seems to be a preparation fault, or handling contamination.

-make sure you don't touch the paper pre and post print.
-ensure the board is absolutely clean, shiny and slightly scratched before
ironing on
-once placed in the water, does the paper 'float off'? (at least, almost)
-do the 'lifted' traces remain on the paper?


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