Homebrew PCBs

Stefan, Jeremy, Steve,

>> 1) The discussion here about "direct to plate" resist imaging, 
using modified printers, applies only to single-sided plate 
preparation, correct? <<

> Not only, by using some aligning guide it could well be used for 
double-sided etching. <

I'll have to pursue this once a printer method is up and working.

> I'm rather stuck with the direct inkjet printing and have no clue 
what to try next. . . . Oh well, good that the TT is working fine. <

Uh, TT? As you can tell, I'm pretty new at all this.

> I use Think and Tinker film, and had a hell of time till I did: 1) 
use a 10% methanol pre-spray, 2) got a good laminator 3) used a 
carrier. As a last resort: Bubbles can be popped, and then put the 
board back thru the laminator. I have not had bubbles or streaks or 
rips since I did the above. <

Jeremy, is methanol available over the counter at, say, a drug store? 
Methanol and water mix? I'm using a Regal laminator, and when I 
finally began using a carrier the resulting resist-covered plates 
were improved. I've tried a light spray of water, but I'll certainly 
give the methanol approach a try next time I etch.

> Very interesting that Epson Durabrite inks stick to a laser 
transparency. I'd have not thought it was possible! <

With the C84, one of the "paper" options is transparency film. The 
C84 Durabrite ink works extremely well with the LGN translucent paper 
I mentioned. Also, the C84 resolution appears finer than the output 
from my 1200 dpi HP laser. Is this possible?

> power spray etching tank that I built (from Randy Gordon-Gilmore's 
online plans) <

>> Do you have a link? If so, it'd be great if you could put it in 
the Links section. <<

You bet. I put the URL in Links > Photoresist etching > Build a Power 
Spray Etching System.

> I just got this link from another list, it discusses printer 
resolution and why 288 lpi is the right raster image resolution to 
send to a printer with a stated resolution of 720dpi or a multiple of 
that:
http://www.rags-int-inc.com/PhotoTechStuff/Epson2200/ <

I'm looking forward to exploring this link later today.

Thank you all for the help. Much obliged.  -Brian   

Brian Chapman/Cedar Rapids, Iowa

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