Homebrew PCBs

Hi,

I'm new to the group and I'm wondering if anyone has tried using one of
the really cheap Gordon laminators at horror fright for toner transfers
onto PCBs:

12'' HOT/COLD LAMINATOR $39.99
<http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92500>
4'' HOT LAMINATOR $12.99
<http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93478>

They certainly are cheap enough but I saw mostly poor results with other
cheap laminators in the Database section
<http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs/database?method=report\
Rows&tbl=2> .

Actually, with all due respect, I've had fairly good experience with
HF's el cheapo tools.



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "foobaz_utne" <foobaz_utne@...>
wrote:
>
> Hi,
> 
> I'm new to the group and I'm wondering if anyone has tried using one of
> the really cheap Gordon laminators at horror fright for toner transfers
> onto PCBs:
> 
> 12'' HOT/COLD LAMINATOR $39.99
> <http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92500>
> 4'' HOT LAMINATOR $12.99
> <http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93478>
> 

Standard PC board is 0.0625 inches.    That is 1.6mm.

Hi,
Welcome to the group.
Alan

Looking at the temp specs, I doubt either gets hot enough. You need
something closer to 400F to melt toner.

Steve Greenfield

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

>
> Hi,
> 
> I'm new to the group and I'm wondering if anyone has tried using one of
> the really cheap Gordon laminators at horror fright for toner transfers
> onto PCBs:
> 
> 12'' HOT/COLD LAMINATOR $39.99
> <http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92500>
> 4'' HOT LAMINATOR $12.99
> <http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93478>

I've tried a few of the cheap laminators with no success. The problems was
not of enough heat. The mass of the pcb is much greater than a plastic
sleeve, and the heater can't keep p. also even after a dozen passes. The
temperature never consitantly reached the fusing point.

Of course different brands of toners have different fusing temperatures. The
samsung toners seem to require a much highter fusing temp.

The most success I have had is with a Xerox 1910 laminator. Is is also sold
under different brand names. The key is that is has a hot foil setting that
is much hotter.

Myc


On 9/3/07, Steve <alienrelics@...> wrote:
>
>   Looking at the temp specs, I doubt either gets hot enough. You need
> something closer to 400F to melt toner.
>
> Steve Greenfield
>
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com <Homebrew_PCBs%40yahoogroups.com>,
> "foobaz_utne" <foobaz_utne@...>
> wrote:
> >
> > Hi,
> >
> > I'm new to the group and I'm wondering if anyone has tried using one of
> > the really cheap Gordon laminators at horror fright for toner transfers
> > onto PCBs:
> >
> > 12'' HOT/COLD LAMINATOR $39.99
> > <http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92500>
> > 4'' HOT LAMINATOR $12.99
> > <http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93478>
>
> 
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

On 4 Sep 2007, at 22:44, Myc Holmes wrote:

> I've tried a few of the cheap laminators with no success. The  
> problems was
> not of enough heat. The mass of the pcb is much greater than a plastic
> sleeve, and the heater can't keep p.

A way round this is to use the laminator to tack the TT sheet first,  
and then to use a household iron to heat the PCB and TT, then return  
to the laminator to do the actual pressing.

-- 

Cheers

Derryck

> > I've tried a few of the cheap laminators with no success. The  
> > problems was
> > not of enough heat. The mass of the pcb is much greater than a plastic
> > sleeve, and the heater can't keep p.

Yeah, that seems to be the general consensus.
 
> A way round this is to use the laminator to tack the TT sheet first,  
> and then to use a household iron to heat the PCB and TT, then return  
> to the laminator to do the actual pressing.

But that kinda defeats the purpose. I think I will just bite the
bullet and buy a good laminator.