Homebrew PCBs

Hi again all-- how are you all removing toner from unetched PCB's?
like if you make a mistake in you alignment and need to start over
again? I am seeking something which will remove without having to
scrub the plate!,, which is what I've been doing up till now. It works
but is alot of work. I would prefer a solvent that will easily remove
the material without having to scrape at the plating further,
something gentle to the surface? Any tips here folks? thanks in
advance, jd

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "timbomcnuckle" <jaydag71@...> 
wrote:
I would prefer a solvent that will easily remove
> the material without having to scrape at the plating further>

Acetone works, but if you do etch the board I dont rec using the 
acetone for the toner removal of the traces as it stains the bare glass

wayne

----- Original Message ----- 

From: "timbomcnuckle" <jaydag71@...>
To: <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2007 6:40 PM
Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] toner removal methods?


> Hi again all-- how are you all removing toner from unetched PCB's?
> like if you make a mistake in you alignment and need to start over
> again? I am seeking something which will remove without having to
> scrub the plate!,, which is what I've been doing up till now. It works
> but is alot of work. I would prefer a solvent that will easily remove
> the material without having to scrape at the plating further,
> something gentle to the surface? Any tips here folks? thanks in
> advance, jd 

Cellulose thinners worked quite well when I tried TT.

Leon

--- timbomcnuckle <jaydag71@...> wrote:

> how are you all removing toner from unetched PCB's?

Automotive brake cleaner.  Cuts it instantly and doesn't
evaporate as quickly as acetone.  I also use brake cleaner
for the initial de-greasing step prior to toner transfer.

I've been using "Goof off" (xylene) with great results, but be careful
to read and heed the warnings.

----- Original Message ----- 

From: "DJ Delorie" <dj@...>
To: <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2007 7:59 PM
Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] toner removal methods?


> 
> I've been using "Goof off" (xylene) with great results, but be careful
> to read and heed the warnings.
>

The cellulose thinners I mentioned contain xylene.

Leon

Thanks folks! I ended up using some old thinnner that I had laying 
around and it seemed to work out fine.

 I am wondering though if I can use this stuff for cleaning after 
etching without the staining as cautioned above. I am not 100% on 
what it made of but I think acetone perhaps. I was surpirsed to se 
how well it actually worked though- as I had tried it a long while 
back on some boards I tried using the staples t-shirt transfer 
material (which is terrible btw)and it did nothing to help.

 Anyways, thanks again, jd


--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Leon" <leon355@...> wrote:
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "DJ Delorie" <dj@...>
> To: <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2007 7:59 PM
> Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] toner removal methods?
> 
> 
> > 
> > I've been using "Goof off" (xylene) with great results, but be 
careful

> > to read and heed the warnings.
> >
> 
> The cellulose thinners I mentioned contain xylene.
> 
> Leon
>

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "timbomcnuckle" <jaydag71@...>
wrote:
>
> Hi again all-- how are you all removing toner from unetched PCB's?
> like if you make a mistake in you alignment and need to start over
> again? I am seeking something which will remove without having to
> scrub the plate!,, which is what I've been doing up till now. It works
> but is alot of work. I would prefer a solvent that will easily remove
> the material without having to scrape at the plating further,
> something gentle to the surface? Any tips here folks? thanks in
> advance, jd
>


I use lacquer thinner to take the tonner off the cooper.

Hi jd,

It wouldn't hurt to try it on a test board.

I've found that removing toner with acetone works well with FR4 and 
CEM1.  I've only had problems with staining on FR4 if I used too 
little (using a cotton ball applicator).

It could be a matter of technique.  Use enough solvent to disolve the 
toner and getting it off before the solvent evaporates.

Acetone is nasty stuff.  Eats through latex and many plastics.  Wear 
goggles too...

Regards,
Dennis

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "timbomcnuckle" <jaydag71@...> 
wrote:

>
> Thanks folks! I ended up using some old thinnner that I had laying 
> around and it seemed to work out fine.
> 
>  I am wondering though if I can use this stuff for cleaning after 
> etching without the staining as cautioned above. I am not 100% on 
> what it made of but I think acetone perhaps. I was surpirsed to se 
> how well it actually worked though- as I had tried it a long while 
> back on some boards I tried using the staples t-shirt transfer 
> material (which is terrible btw)and it did nothing to help.
> 
>  Anyways, thanks again, jd

I use lacquer thinner, also, for toner removal.  Also for ink removal
when I do silkscreen.  But it's always a good idea to scrub the boards
after removing the toner/ink.  After cleaning with LT, I use 220grit
sandpaper or double-ought(00) steel wool.  The idea is to remove all
the oxidation on the surface of the copper.  Copper oxidixes very
fast.    T


--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "lemonyx" <g_cw@...> wrote:

> 
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "timbomcnuckle" <jaydag71@>
> wrote:
> >
> > Hi again all-- how are you all removing toner from unetched PCB's?
> > like if you make a mistake in you alignment and need to start over
> > again? I am seeking something which will remove without having to
> > scrub the plate!,, which is what I've been doing up till now. It works
> > but is alot of work. I would prefer a solvent that will easily remove
> > the material without having to scrape at the plating further,
> > something gentle to the surface? Any tips here folks? thanks in
> > advance, jd
> >
> 
> 
> I use lacquer thinner to take the tonner off the cooper.
>