Homebrew PCBs

I used a modified GBC laminator.  Check "Another GBC Laminator Mod" in 
the Photos area for pictures.


On 2/17/2011 1:19 PM, Randy S. wrote:
>
> Which laminator do you use and if its not available .. have any 
> suggestions?
>
> ________________________________
> From: Andrew <a_wake@... <mailto:a_wake%40earthlink.net>>
> To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com <mailto:Homebrew_PCBs%40yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Thu, February 17, 2011 1:01:23 PM
> Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Toner not sticking to PCB well
>
> Randy,
>
> The advantage of a laminator is repeatability / consistency -- but 
> only if the
> laminator gets hot enough. Even with a hot enough laminator, most 
> people need to
> make multiple passes to get a good transfer.
>
> You can get good transfers with an iron, but it becomes a little 
> harder to
> adjust the variables -- was it too hot, or was I pressing too hard, or 
> both, or
> ??? With an iron, I do think it helps to have a hard, non-heat-conductive
> surface underneath, with some paper over top to help prevent 
> over-heating and/or
> smearing.
>
> With either iron or laminator, I've never pre-heated the board; the 
> board (and
> particularly the copper layer) heats up very quickly. Your mention of 
> the board
> "sizzling" sounded way too hot to me.
>
> As others have said, HP toners generally work very well; you will want 
> to print
> as densely as possible. The board needs to be very clean and dry; do 
> not use any
> cleaners/solvents that will leave oily residue behind. I generally 
> scrub the
> board with dish soap and water using a green scotch-brite pad, and 
> then do a
> final wipe down with acetone. Do not touch the surface of the board after
> cleaning it!
>
> I have made some decent boards using an iron. I now have a nice 
> laminator with
> temperature and speed control, and it does increase the ease and 
> consistency and
> therefore the speed with which I can make boards. I have also had 
> better results
> with double-sided boards using the laminator.
>
> The nice thing is that you can easily and cheaply experiment to find 
> what works
> to give you good, consistent results. If a board transfers badly, just 
> wipe it
> off with acetone (or scrub it off), reclean the board, and try again!
>
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com 
> <mailto:Homebrew_PCBs%40yahoogroups.com>, "Randy S." <rj3819@...> wrote:
> >
> > ok .. thanks
> > and yes .. have a thermocouple probe ..
> > I cant set the laminator temp ..
> > I guess its a cheaper "DUCK" laminator ..
> > But figured it was worth a try ..
> > I will try the preheat ...
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ________________________________
> > From: Jeff Heiss <jeff.heiss@...>
> > To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com 
> <mailto:Homebrew_PCBs%40yahoogroups.com>
> > Sent: Thu, February 17, 2011 12:25:40 PM
> > Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Toner not sticking to PCB well
> >
> >
> > I really think is a problem with temperature. My procedure derived from
> > much experimenting is to set the laminator to 275F, preheat the 
> board to
> > around 250F, run the board through the laminator twice, preheat 
> again to
> > 250F and pass through two more times. The reason you have to preheat
> > again is because it will cool by the second pass. Do not depend on the
> > laminator to heat the board. It will not. Do you have a thermocouple
> > probe to take measurements?
> >
> > On 2/17/2011 12:00 PM, Randy S. wrote:
> > >
> > > ok on the HP Toners ..
> > > I ran it thru the laminator ..and there was no sign of the toner even
> > > having thoughts of sticking to the board ..
> > > Either toner .. post office or the HP .. i guess its just not getting
> > > hot enough ..
> > > Are there popular laserjet printers used for PCB's ??
> > > I will keep trying .. and will try the paper towels ..
> > >
> > > Randy
> > >
> > > ________________________________
> > > From: "kabowers@... <mailto:kabowers%40NorthState.net>"
> > > <kabowers@... <mailto:kabowers%40NorthState.net>>
> > > To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com 
> <mailto:Homebrew_PCBs%40yahoogroups.com> 
> <mailto:Homebrew_PCBs%40yahoogroups.com>
> > > Sent: Thu, February 17, 2011 9:15:51 AM
> > > Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Toner not sticking to PCB well
> > >
> > > On Wed, 16 Feb 2011 22:09:39 -0800 (PST), you wrote:
> > >
> > > >OK .. went from the problem with the traces running together
> > > >to the toner not sticking well to the copper ..
> > > >
> > > >Can it be that I'm not heating long enough ?
> > > >
> > > >Or can it also be that specific toner ?
> > > >
> > > >Its from a newer model HP copier ..
> > > >
> > > >Randy
> > > >
> > > >
> > > The variables have variables. Unless HP has changed their toners work
> > > great.
> > > I run mine (1022) at the highest quality/density setting.
> > >
> > > There's a "sweet spot" between time, temperature and size of board.
> > > I did a 4x6 board a couple of days ago using with the iron set halfway
> > > between cotton and linen and ironed for 2.5 minutes with moderate
> > > pressure.
> > > Pay special attention to the edges. I paced the board in a folded 
> Bounty
> > > paper towel and used an old cutting board for support.
> > >
> > > I use Hammermill OficeOne Business Glossy 32# paper (16302-0) which
> > > may be discontinued. If you "overcook" this stuff it's almost
> > > impossible to
> > > get off without pulling the toner off the copper. "Undercooking"
> > > results in
> > > failure to adhere; "overcooking" or slippage results in smeared 
> traces.
> > >
> > > I recently failed to properly support a board in the center and 
> had to
> > > strip
> > > with acetone and start over due to traces running together; lesson
> > > learned.
> > >
> > > A couple of years ago someone here suggested placing the board between
> > > sheets of paper towel; this resulted in a major improvement for me.
> > >
> > > Keith Bowers WB4LSJ- Thomasville, NC
> > >
> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > >
> > >
> >
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> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
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> 


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