Homebrew PCBs

Well, that is the thing. I had read all I could on the toner transfer 
method as was looking for suuitable paper. Magazines, catalogs and 
books where no longer magazines, catalogs and books. They had all 
simply become 'samples' of paper to try TT with.

Initally I was looking for paper with a very smooth finish (very 
glossy magazines) as I thought that this was the "high clay content" 
paper that I was supposed to be using. Nice shiny smooth finish 
should make it easier to release the toner right?

I acheived average results with this paper but if I choose a page 
that had dark graphics on it then I did had trouble with the paper 
blitering as it went through the fuser.

Having also read the 'time magazine' success people had had. I went 
to the newsagent and had a look at what this paper was like. (as well 
as a lot of other magazines) I was suprised to see that the time 
magazine was not a very glossing finish. (Well not in Australia at 
least)

This got me thinking that the super high gloss was not necassary and 
to try other less glossy magazines.  I have settled on using a 
magazine that has mildly glossy finish but is quite thin. (Certainly 
a lot thinner than the 80 g.s.m. copier paper)  I was amazed at the 
detail of the toner transfer. 10mil tracks looked quite OK and best 
of all the paper almost falls off when soaked for long enough.

Now I am convinced that this is the 'high clay content' paper that I 
should be using. Having completed soaking the board removing the 
paper, as the board is drying if I rub the board/traces I get a white 
residue over the board. I am assuming this is the clay content of the 
paper. It doesn't seem to cause trouble as it washed of when the 
board is next wet.


Now, describing the paper:

It is quite a thin paper that is smooth to touch however is not 
overly glossy. I suppose a semi-gloss finish. My source is an 
Australian "Airborne" magazine which I doubt is available outside 
Australia. I imagine it is a fairly small circulation magazine and 
therefore the paper will be a budget paper. It is not rough like 
newsprint. Judging from the result of the tonner transfer I think is 
must have small cellulose fiber length as the paper fibres that 
remain on the toner bonded to the copper appear to be very small. Not 
like the 80 gsm copy paper which had huge fibers hanging out of the 
toner causing fuzzy edges and bridges between traces.

This has become quite a long post and probably far in excess of what 
you were asking ST but I have been meaning to share these results 
with the group for a while to give a bit back.  

To summarise I know myself and a few other friends that have tried TT 
assumed that the most glossy paper was the way to go for better toner 
release. We were completely surprised when less glossy, thinner paper 
turned out better results. I beleive due to smaller fiber length and 
greater clay content just as a gut feel.

Cheers,
David


 



> Nice to hear it does like it should.
> I really need to try magazine paper again some time with the 
fuser...
> I have tried different kinds and it didn't work at all.
> Some papers form bubbles in the fuser of the printer, they are no 
good.
> Others don't release the toner at all.
> how thick is the paper you use?
> is it the more expensive glossy magazine paper (>=80gr/m^2)
> or is it the very thin paper (much thinner than office paper)?
> 
> thanks
> 
> ST
> 
> > Cheers,
> > David
> >