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traces running together

traces running together

2011-02-16 by Randy S.

ok .. the glossy laser paper is working fine I think ..
however, my pads and traces are running together..
Am I pressing too hard ? Is it a product of that
toner perhaps? Now.. It is a copy of a copy kind of a thing..
Perhaps a fresh print directly to the paper is better ?
Help please ?

Thanks

Randy - N2CUA

Re: traces running together

2011-02-16 by Andrew

Randy,

Are you using a laminator or an iron to transfer the image to the board? How are you prepping the board?

If using an iron, how hot, how long, how hard are you pressing, using the flat or an edge, etc.?

If using a laminator, how hot, how many passes?

Show quoted textHide quoted text
--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Randy S." <rj3819@...> wrote:
>
> ok .. the glossy laser paper is working fine I think ..
> however, my pads and traces are running together..
> Am I pressing too hard ? Is it a product of that
> toner perhaps? Now.. It is a copy of a copy kind of a thing..
> Perhaps a fresh print directly to the paper is better ?
> Help please ?
>
> Thanks
>
> Randy - N2CUA
>

Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: traces running together

2011-02-16 by Randy S.

Hi Andrew .. thanks for the reply.. apologies for not providing enough info up
front.
Using an iron .. though I do have a laminator ..
Have a piece of aluminum on my waffle maker..
I let that heat up .. reading the temp .. doesn't go over 350 ish ..
PCB ..I use steel wool .. acetone ..
I read something about wanting small scratches from like a
scotch scoring pad so the toner will attach better .. ??
First one I pressed down hard .. and worked the iron n forth..
Second one pressed down, but didn't work the iron back n forth ..
heated the PCB for several minutes... the board sizzled when I quenched it ..
The iron doesn't get hotter than about 400 degrees from what I can
tell with the laser thermometer.. I'm not at home and don't remember the
exact temp. I can try to record more exact temps if need. But the all the toner
does transfer, and is on the board good .. just spread out .. for example
the traces on a 8 PIN DIP are all touching after..
Again .. its like a copy of a copy to the final kind of thing ..
That may be bad news .. I will know later tonite..
When I get a chance to make fresh copies and compare.

I was looking at the copy I used to making the final version to transfer.
I can see where the gap between the traces is less ..
SO ... it may be an accumulation of errors stacked against me ..

I am going reprint the original images straight to the paper and compare
and try those .. is it possible that I have the darkness setting too high?
That HP laserjet copier / printer does put a lot of toner on the paper on the
darkest setting ..

That's about all I can think of ..

1. Should I try the laminator? Suggestions on multiple passes?
2. Lighter setting on the printer / copier?
3. Less pressure, heat or time?

all ideas appreciated .. was wondering if anyone was going to reply .. ;)
Thanks ..

Randy




________________________________
Show quoted textHide quoted text
From: Andrew <a_wake@...>
To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, February 16, 2011 3:05:35 PM
Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: traces running together


Randy,

Are you using a laminator or an iron to transfer the image to the board? How are
you prepping the board?

If using an iron, how hot, how long, how hard are you pressing, using the flat
or an edge, etc.?

If using a laminator, how hot, how many passes?

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Randy S." <rj3819@...> wrote:
>
> ok .. the glossy laser paper is working fine I think ..
> however, my pads and traces are running together..
> Am I pressing too hard ? Is it a product of that
> toner perhaps? Now.. It is a copy of a copy kind of a thing..
> Perhaps a fresh print directly to the paper is better ?
> Help please ?
>
> Thanks
>
> Randy - N2CUA
>







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

Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: traces running together

2011-02-16 by Paul Mateer

Sounds like to much pressure to me

On Wed, Feb 16, 2011 at 3:16 PM, Randy S. <rj3819@...> wrote:

>
>
> Hi Andrew .. thanks for the reply.. apologies for not providing enough info
> up
> front.
> Using an iron .. though I do have a laminator ..
> Have a piece of aluminum on my waffle maker..
> I let that heat up .. reading the temp .. doesn't go over 350 ish ..
> PCB ..I use steel wool .. acetone ..
> I read something about wanting small scratches from like a
> scotch scoring pad so the toner will attach better .. ??
> First one I pressed down hard .. and worked the iron n forth..
> Second one pressed down, but didn't work the iron back n forth ..
> heated the PCB for several minutes... the board sizzled when I quenched it
> ..
> The iron doesn't get hotter than about 400 degrees from what I can
> tell with the laser thermometer.. I'm not at home and don't remember the
> exact temp. I can try to record more exact temps if need. But the all the
> toner
> does transfer, and is on the board good .. just spread out .. for example
> the traces on a 8 PIN DIP are all touching after..
> Again .. its like a copy of a copy to the final kind of thing ..
> That may be bad news .. I will know later tonite..
> When I get a chance to make fresh copies and compare.
>
> I was looking at the copy I used to making the final version to transfer.
> I can see where the gap between the traces is less ..
> SO ... it may be an accumulation of errors stacked against me ..
>
> I am going reprint the original images straight to the paper and compare
> and try those .. is it possible that I have the darkness setting too high?
> That HP laserjet copier / printer does put a lot of toner on the paper on
> the
> darkest setting ..
>
> That's about all I can think of ..
>
> 1. Should I try the laminator? Suggestions on multiple passes?
> 2. Lighter setting on the printer / copier?
> 3. Less pressure, heat or time?
>
> all ideas appreciated .. was wondering if anyone was going to reply .. ;)
> Thanks ..
>
> Randy
>
> ________________________________
> From: Andrew <a_wake@...>
> To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Wed, February 16, 2011 3:05:35 PM
> Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: traces running together
>
>
> Randy,
>
> Are you using a laminator or an iron to transfer the image to the board?
> How are
> you prepping the board?
>
> If using an iron, how hot, how long, how hard are you pressing, using the
> flat
> or an edge, etc.?
>
> If using a laminator, how hot, how many passes?
>
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Randy S." <rj3819@...> wrote:
> >
> > ok .. the glossy laser paper is working fine I think ..
> > however, my pads and traces are running together..
> > Am I pressing too hard ? Is it a product of that
> > toner perhaps? Now.. It is a copy of a copy kind of a thing..
> > Perhaps a fresh print directly to the paper is better ?
> > Help please ?
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Randy - N2CUA
> >
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>



--
Paul Mateer, AA9GG
Elan Engineering Corp.
www.elanengr.com
NAQCC 3123, SKCC 4628, FPQRP 2003


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

Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: traces running together

2011-02-16 by Randy S.

Thanks Paul ..
Think it would be worth giving the laminator a try ?
Do must people on here use a laminator?
Should I preheat the board before feeding it thru?
Or just go with multiple passes?

Randy



----- Original Message ----
Show quoted textHide quoted text
From: Paul Mateer <paul.aa9gg@...>
To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, February 16, 2011 4:26:08 PM
Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: traces running together

Sounds like to much pressure to me

On Wed, Feb 16, 2011 at 3:16 PM, Randy S. <rj3819@...> wrote:

>
>
> Hi Andrew .. thanks for the reply.. apologies for not providing enough info
> up
> front.
> Using an iron .. though I do have a laminator ..
> Have a piece of aluminum on my waffle maker..
> I let that heat up .. reading the temp .. doesn't go over 350 ish ..
> PCB ..I use steel wool .. acetone ..
> I read something about wanting small scratches from like a
> scotch scoring pad so the toner will attach better .. ??
> First one I pressed down hard .. and worked the iron n forth..
> Second one pressed down, but didn't work the iron back n forth ..
> heated the PCB for several minutes... the board sizzled when I quenched it
> ..
> The iron doesn't get hotter than about 400 degrees from what I can
> tell with the laser thermometer.. I'm not at home and don't remember the
> exact temp. I can try to record more exact temps if need. But the all the
> toner
> does transfer, and is on the board good .. just spread out .. for example
> the traces on a 8 PIN DIP are all touching after..
> Again .. its like a copy of a copy to the final kind of thing ..
> That may be bad news .. I will know later tonite..
> When I get a chance to make fresh copies and compare.
>
> I was looking at the copy I used to making the final version to transfer.
> I can see where the gap between the traces is less ..
> SO ... it may be an accumulation of errors stacked against me ..
>
> I am going reprint the original images straight to the paper and compare
> and try those .. is it possible that I have the darkness setting too high?
> That HP laserjet copier / printer does put a lot of toner on the paper on
> the
> darkest setting ..
>
> That's about all I can think of ..
>
> 1. Should I try the laminator? Suggestions on multiple passes?
> 2. Lighter setting on the printer / copier?
> 3. Less pressure, heat or time?
>
> all ideas appreciated .. was wondering if anyone was going to reply .. ;)
> Thanks ..
>
> Randy
>
> ________________________________
> From: Andrew <a_wake@...>
> To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Wed, February 16, 2011 3:05:35 PM
> Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: traces running together
>
>
> Randy,
>
> Are you using a laminator or an iron to transfer the image to the board?
> How are
> you prepping the board?
>
> If using an iron, how hot, how long, how hard are you pressing, using the
> flat
> or an edge, etc.?
>
> If using a laminator, how hot, how many passes?
>
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Randy S." <rj3819@...> wrote:
> >
> > ok .. the glossy laser paper is working fine I think ..
> > however, my pads and traces are running together..
> > Am I pressing too hard ? Is it a product of that
> > toner perhaps? Now.. It is a copy of a copy kind of a thing..
> > Perhaps a fresh print directly to the paper is better ?
> > Help please ?
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Randy - N2CUA
> >
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>



--
Paul Mateer, AA9GG
Elan Engineering Corp.
www.elanengr.com
NAQCC 3123, SKCC 4628, FPQRP 2003


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



------------------------------------

Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and Photos:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links

Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: traces running together

2011-02-16 by Paul Mateer

Try it, multi passes I think. I use an iron myself

Show quoted textHide quoted text
On Wed, Feb 16, 2011 at 3:41 PM, Randy S. <rj3819@...> wrote:

>
>
> Thanks Paul ..
> Think it would be worth giving the laminator a try ?
> Do must people on here use a laminator?
> Should I preheat the board before feeding it thru?
> Or just go with multiple passes?
>
> Randy
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: Paul Mateer <paul.aa9gg@...>
> To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Wed, February 16, 2011 4:26:08 PM
> Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: traces running together
>
> Sounds like to much pressure to me
>
> On Wed, Feb 16, 2011 at 3:16 PM, Randy S. <rj3819@...> wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > Hi Andrew .. thanks for the reply.. apologies for not providing enough
> info
> > up
> > front.
> > Using an iron .. though I do have a laminator ..
> > Have a piece of aluminum on my waffle maker..
> > I let that heat up .. reading the temp .. doesn't go over 350 ish ..
> > PCB ..I use steel wool .. acetone ..
> > I read something about wanting small scratches from like a
> > scotch scoring pad so the toner will attach better .. ??
> > First one I pressed down hard .. and worked the iron n forth..
> > Second one pressed down, but didn't work the iron back n forth ..
> > heated the PCB for several minutes... the board sizzled when I quenched
> it
> > ..
> > The iron doesn't get hotter than about 400 degrees from what I can
> > tell with the laser thermometer.. I'm not at home and don't remember the
> > exact temp. I can try to record more exact temps if need. But the all the
> > toner
> > does transfer, and is on the board good .. just spread out .. for example
> > the traces on a 8 PIN DIP are all touching after..
> > Again .. its like a copy of a copy to the final kind of thing ..
> > That may be bad news .. I will know later tonite..
> > When I get a chance to make fresh copies and compare.
> >
> > I was looking at the copy I used to making the final version to transfer.
> > I can see where the gap between the traces is less ..
> > SO ... it may be an accumulation of errors stacked against me ..
> >
> > I am going reprint the original images straight to the paper and compare
> > and try those .. is it possible that I have the darkness setting too
> high?
> > That HP laserjet copier / printer does put a lot of toner on the paper on
> > the
> > darkest setting ..
> >
> > That's about all I can think of ..
> >
> > 1. Should I try the laminator? Suggestions on multiple passes?
> > 2. Lighter setting on the printer / copier?
> > 3. Less pressure, heat or time?
> >
> > all ideas appreciated .. was wondering if anyone was going to reply .. ;)
> > Thanks ..
> >
> > Randy
> >
> > ________________________________
> > From: Andrew <a_wake@...>
> > To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
> > Sent: Wed, February 16, 2011 3:05:35 PM
> > Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: traces running together
> >
> >
> > Randy,
> >
> > Are you using a laminator or an iron to transfer the image to the board?
> > How are
> > you prepping the board?
> >
> > If using an iron, how hot, how long, how hard are you pressing, using the
> > flat
> > or an edge, etc.?
> >
> > If using a laminator, how hot, how many passes?
> >
> > --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Randy S." <rj3819@...> wrote:
> > >
> > > ok .. the glossy laser paper is working fine I think ..
> > > however, my pads and traces are running together..
> > > Am I pressing too hard ? Is it a product of that
> > > toner perhaps? Now.. It is a copy of a copy kind of a thing..
> > > Perhaps a fresh print directly to the paper is better ?
> > > Help please ?
> > >
> > > Thanks
> > >
> > > Randy - N2CUA
> > >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> >
>
> --
> Paul Mateer, AA9GG
> Elan Engineering Corp.
> www.elanengr.com
> NAQCC 3123, SKCC 4628, FPQRP 2003
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
> ------------------------------------
>
>
> Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and Photos:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>



--
Paul Mateer, AA9GG
Elan Engineering Corp.
www.elanengr.com
NAQCC 3123, SKCC 4628, FPQRP 2003


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

Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: traces running together

2011-02-16 by Randy S.

ok .. thanks Paul .. I will give it a try with fresh copies
and see how that goes .. at least the laser jet glossy
brochure paper is working well .. ; )



----- Original Message ----
Show quoted textHide quoted text
From: Paul Mateer <paul.aa9gg@...>
To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, February 16, 2011 4:45:32 PM
Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: traces running together

Try it, multi passes I think. I use an iron myself

On Wed, Feb 16, 2011 at 3:41 PM, Randy S. <rj3819@...> wrote:

>
>
> Thanks Paul ..
> Think it would be worth giving the laminator a try ?
> Do must people on here use a laminator?
> Should I preheat the board before feeding it thru?
> Or just go with multiple passes?
>
> Randy
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: Paul Mateer <paul.aa9gg@...>
> To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Wed, February 16, 2011 4:26:08 PM
> Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: traces running together
>
> Sounds like to much pressure to me
>
> On Wed, Feb 16, 2011 at 3:16 PM, Randy S. <rj3819@...> wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > Hi Andrew .. thanks for the reply.. apologies for not providing enough
> info
> > up
> > front.
> > Using an iron .. though I do have a laminator ..
> > Have a piece of aluminum on my waffle maker..
> > I let that heat up .. reading the temp .. doesn't go over 350 ish ..
> > PCB ..I use steel wool .. acetone ..
> > I read something about wanting small scratches from like a
> > scotch scoring pad so the toner will attach better .. ??
> > First one I pressed down hard .. and worked the iron n forth..
> > Second one pressed down, but didn't work the iron back n forth ..
> > heated the PCB for several minutes... the board sizzled when I quenched
> it
> > ..
> > The iron doesn't get hotter than about 400 degrees from what I can
> > tell with the laser thermometer.. I'm not at home and don't remember the
> > exact temp. I can try to record more exact temps if need. But the all the
> > toner
> > does transfer, and is on the board good .. just spread out .. for example
> > the traces on a 8 PIN DIP are all touching after..
> > Again .. its like a copy of a copy to the final kind of thing ..
> > That may be bad news .. I will know later tonite..
> > When I get a chance to make fresh copies and compare.
> >
> > I was looking at the copy I used to making the final version to transfer.
> > I can see where the gap between the traces is less ..
> > SO ... it may be an accumulation of errors stacked against me ..
> >
> > I am going reprint the original images straight to the paper and compare
> > and try those .. is it possible that I have the darkness setting too
> high?
> > That HP laserjet copier / printer does put a lot of toner on the paper on
> > the
> > darkest setting ..
> >
> > That's about all I can think of ..
> >
> > 1. Should I try the laminator? Suggestions on multiple passes?
> > 2. Lighter setting on the printer / copier?
> > 3. Less pressure, heat or time?
> >
> > all ideas appreciated .. was wondering if anyone was going to reply .. ;)
> > Thanks ..
> >
> > Randy
> >
> > ________________________________
> > From: Andrew <a_wake@...>
> > To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
> > Sent: Wed, February 16, 2011 3:05:35 PM
> > Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: traces running together
> >
> >
> > Randy,
> >
> > Are you using a laminator or an iron to transfer the image to the board?
> > How are
> > you prepping the board?
> >
> > If using an iron, how hot, how long, how hard are you pressing, using the
> > flat
> > or an edge, etc.?
> >
> > If using a laminator, how hot, how many passes?
> >
> > --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Randy S." <rj3819@...> wrote:
> > >
> > > ok .. the glossy laser paper is working fine I think ..
> > > however, my pads and traces are running together..
> > > Am I pressing too hard ? Is it a product of that
> > > toner perhaps? Now.. It is a copy of a copy kind of a thing..
> > > Perhaps a fresh print directly to the paper is better ?
> > > Help please ?
> > >
> > > Thanks
> > >
> > > Randy - N2CUA
> > >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> >
>
> --
> Paul Mateer, AA9GG
> Elan Engineering Corp.
> www.elanengr.com
> NAQCC 3123, SKCC 4628, FPQRP 2003
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
> ------------------------------------
>
>
> Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and Photos:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>



--
Paul Mateer, AA9GG
Elan Engineering Corp.
www.elanengr.com
NAQCC 3123, SKCC 4628, FPQRP 2003


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



------------------------------------

Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and Photos:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links

Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: traces running together

2011-02-17 by Derryck Croker

On 16 Feb 2011, at 21:59, Randy S. wrote:

Show quoted textHide quoted text
> ok .. thanks Paul .. I will give it a try with fresh copies
> and see how that goes .. at least the laser jet glossy
> brochure paper is working well .. ; )
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: Paul Mateer <paul.aa9gg@...>
> To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Wed, February 16, 2011 4:45:32 PM
> Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: traces running together
>
> Try it, multi passes I think. I use an iron myself
>

<massive unnecessary quoting snipped>

The best way I found was to pass the sandwich through a laminator once or twice to adhere the toner to the copper. Then put your sandwich on top of a newspaper, then a couple of sheets of kitchen paper, Then just rest the iron on top of that (on Cotton setting, no steam), for a couple of minutes. Then you can (carefully) re-visit the laminator for a few passes to iron it down.

Of course, you'll have to experiment a little to get the exact timings and iron temp.

--

Cheers

Derryck