Homebrew PCBs

Many thanks for that post David.  You have saved another Aussie heaps of
effort.  Now I only need to persuade number 1 son that he should devote his
Airborne magazines to a worthier cause...
Actually, it would probably be possible to learn the paper type from the
publisher?
Bill
----- Original Message -----
From: "bnmj2000" <yahoo@...>
To: <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2004 8:42 AM
Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: GBC - creative laminator - good results


> 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
> > >
>
>
>
>
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