Homebrew PCBs

First I an not new to DIY PCB making. But I am relatively new the with the 
TT process.

About 10 years ago I bought 2 packages of TT paper. Pre PULSAR. Two years 
ago I tried some boards with it and did manage to make 5 useable PCBs.

Last month I bought the Personal laminator from Pulsar. It has the two heat 
ranges. I tried the instructions on the PULSAR website. But with only two 
passes through the laminator I was not getting 100% good transfers. So I 
tried 4 passes. I did get good transfers with 4 passes. So now I am using 
eight passes.

I used the DATAK tin plating solution I got pretty nice looking boards.

But drilling the boards was a problem. I have an original Dremel drill 
press. I also have carbide PCB drills. But I am 76 and my depth perception 
is in the tank. Even with that I did make two useable boards this past week.

My problem now is installing surface mount components. I may go back to 
through hole technology.

Bob Macklin
K5MYJ
Seattle, Wa.
"Real Radios Glow In The Dark"
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "gandolfreefer" <synchronousmosfet@...>
To: <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, August 29, 2010 5:55 AM
Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] oldie but newbie mystery of the universe


> Hi Guys,
>
> I started trying to make my own PCB's three years ago, and joined this 
> group a while back.
>
> I am wondering if any of you feel 100% confident about any particular 
> method. I've tried 'em all - I've got a stack of laminators, chemicals, 
> photo-exposers, rub-on stuff, special papers, twenty $IR#@!! software 
> programs, the fancy bubbler etcher, enough bottles of every type of 
> etchant ever invented to kill half of Philadelphia if I poured them in the 
> water supply, even the fancy stuff that tin-plates the copper after 
> etching, and - oh, yeah - three printers....
>
> and I gotta tell ya, at the risk of sounding like a complete incompetent, 
> I cannot for the life of me get a decent quality PCB no matter what I do, 
> no matter what website I go to, no matter who's kit I buy.
>
> I'm just about to give up and just order the d*'d things from Sunstone and 
> be done with it, but i thought I'd give this onnnnnnnnnnnnne last 
> try............
>
> Is there ONE method for DIY'ing PCB boards that WORKS?? Or are all of them 
> still "tweaky" random-chance methods, depending upon the phase of the 
> moon, the humidity, what type of local mold spores are blowing in the air 
> off the surrounding desert, whether your girlfriend is having her period, 
> etc......for the %(^$#!!! method to actually work?
>
> Honestly, I'm a perfectly good DIY'er who has made stuff on lathes, mills, 
> by hand, in metal, wood, plastic, I mean just about everything under the 
> sun, and some of the stuff I've made would knock your eyes out...but I 
> can't seem to get a DIY PCB method I can depend on.
>
> Anybody out there with a proven method and equipment that You'd bet your 
> life on?
>
> Best, Charlie
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and 
> Photos:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>