Homebrew PCBs

Phil,

If it's one thing I am, it is telling it like it is.  As for my 
first attempts at isolation milling, more effort needs to be put 
into it.  There is only so much one can learn from running the 
first "real part" on a process that is being done for the first 
time, on a machine that is running it's first part, using embedded 
software in about 10 different micros for the first time, using CNC 
control running a part for the first time, on electronics designed 
by me :-)

Virtually every aspect and element of this machine is new.  Chances 
are if it is anything bigger than the most basic of components, I 
had to design and make it and program it.  So I expect lots of 
problems in the debugging process.  Heck, if I expected it to work 
on the first part, I should also be able to walk on water at will!

As for your first attempt at toner transfer, well, you didn't make 
an attempt at all.  It certainly isn't perfect, but it can and will 
give you very good results up to the limits of the technology.  If 
you are serious about trying it, you may want to put a little more 
effort into it, otherwise stick with the board houses. No doubt they 
will produce a better PCB that you can at home.

Chris




--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Phil Mattison" 
<mattison20@...> wrote:
>
> It's nice to hear someone air the dirty laundry. People usually 
don't talk
> much about what didn't work. I've been pretty leary about the 
isolation
> milling route (pun intended) so I tried the toner transfer method 
yesterday.
> I was not impressed with that either. Granted, I used regular 
laser paper
> but the results were so bad I didn't have much confidence in 
better paper
> either. The toner appeared to cover well but came off way too 
easy. If I
> have to iron for 15 minutes and maybe make multiple attempts it's 
just not
> worth the trouble. I'm not that broke. So I bought a bottle of 
spray-on
> negative resist and a can of developer, about $15 together. I've 
used it
> before and it's a piece of cake, works perfect every time. If I 
use the mill
> for drilling only I can avoid most of those Z axis problems as 
well, and
> maybe keep the time consumed down to a level where it is worth the 
trouble.
> There is some point at which it is actually more cost-effective to 
pay for
> prototypes.
> --
> Phil Mattison
> http://www.ohmikron.com/
> Motors::Drivers::Controllers::Software