Homebrew PCBs

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "oliverstwists" <oliverstwists@...> wrote:
>
> I was wondering if anyone knows how hot the GBC 1701870 can get?
> I need a economical laminator that can do PCB's
>


I picked up a Scotch TL901 laminator for under $30. It worked fine out of the box, although it definitely needed more than one pass. I opened it up and found the plug for the temperature (thickness) selection switch had two unused positions, and each position went to a different value resistor. I popped another pin in the connector and added a switch to use the highest heat and it definitely made a difference. If more heat is desired, it would be easy to replace with a lower value resistor and a pot if you want variable control. Unfortunately I couldn't see an easy way to slow down the motor or modify the gearing for single pass, I tried lowering the frequency but it just starts skipping down around 40Hz.