Homebrew_PCBs

The wealth of information in this group is overwhelming me!

I would like to avoid buying into the process with supplies and equipment that are not going to work.

Are there any particular copiers/printers/toners that are known not to work for toner transfer for PCB's?

I am thinking of buying an inexpensive laser printer to cut down on the ink expense anyway.

It would seem to me that if it is really all that easy to do I could use even a toner copier and simply copy an ink jet copy with the toner copier. I gather that one of the key elements is to have control of the paper that the copier is using.

You're correct, this group is really great, it is my favorite group. I feel
that the people in this group are innovators par excellence! Plus, seeing
all the Hams in the group makes me want to look into learning more about
amateur radio. I really respect amateur radio.

My favorite printer in the HP p1505. You can pick up a used one or even a
new one for $200 or less. There are even cheaper laser printers out there,
but this one is compact, the print quality is really great, and it works
under CUPS. It also prints cheap magazine paper. You can also pick up refill
toner for $22 on Amazon.

My problem has been repeatable results. This is why I ordered PCB in a box
from Pulsarfx to try out their system. They have a good website and they
seem like they care about getting their customers comfortable with making
homebrew PCB's. I think my main problem is my iron. It does not heat evenly
and my boards are too large for it. I sometimes get splattered traces due to
uneven pressure from the iron.

My other issue has been ferric chloride etchant. I hate it and I have
switched to H2O2 and muriatic acid. But these pulsarfx guys says that a
sponge with a few ounces of ferric Cl can be enough to etch 1/2 oz copper. I
still don't like using weird substances that can harm the environment.

those are my thoughts,

Chris

On Wed, Mar 9, 2011 at 2:14 PM, John <jferrell13@...> wrote:

>
>
> The wealth of information in this group is overwhelming me!
>
> I would like to avoid buying into the process with supplies and equipment
> that are not going to work.
>
> Are there any particular copiers/printers/toners that are known not to work
> for toner transfer for PCB's?
>
> I am thinking of buying an inexpensive laser printer to cut down on the ink
> expense anyway.
>
> It would seem to me that if it is really all that easy to do I could use
> even a toner copier and simply copy an ink jet copy with the toner copier. I
> gather that one of the key elements is to have control of the paper that the
> copier is using.
>
>
>


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

When I started, the first thing I did was research the internet. There,
I found that you had to use vellum, or laser transparencies, or Staples
photo paper, or magazine paper, or ...
Then you had to transfer using an iron on cotton, or wool, or
synthetics, using a dowel or not using a dowel, for no more than 2
minutes, or not less than 5 minutes. Or a standard laminator, or a
modified lamintaor.
Then you peel the paper off while still hot, or after it's cool. Or
drop it in hot water when cool, or in cool water while hot. Be sure to
use clean water or soapy water. Let it soak for 30 seconds or 3 days.
Some say you can't use a Brother printer, some say you can.

Here's what I did:

Print my artwork using an inkjet printer (That's what I had). Put as
many copies on each page as will fit
Go to Staples and make copies onto various papers using their self-serve
copiers. Vary darkness and contrast.
Back home, carefully clean the PC material, cut out 1 artwork from a
page and iron to board, noting time and temperature. Get the paper
soaked off by whatever works, and check results. Clean off copper and
try again.

Total investment so far: Practically nothing

I finally settled on magazine paper. It works, and the price is unbeatable.

Then I found a Laser printer (HP 1100) at the dump. After cleaning it
up and buying a toner cartridge on the net, it worked fine.

Total investment so far: $22

Results were usable, but still inconsistent, so I got a laminator (GBC
model H65) for $25 from MyBinding.com.
Things are a lot more reliable now.

Total investment so far: $47

So, in my opinion, don't spend any (serious) money because somebody says
something will work. Try things, even if you have to ask a friend to
print on his laser printer, until you have a method that works for you.
Then invest in that method. Ask at Staples or Best Buy to print
something to your paper with a printer you're thinking of buying. Try
transferring it. If it transfers OK, go ahead and buy the printer.

Kerry


John wrote:

> The wealth of information in this group is overwhelming me!
>
> I would like to avoid buying into the process with supplies and equipment that are not going to work.
>
> Are there any particular copiers/printers/toners that are known not to work for toner transfer for PCB's?
>
> I am thinking of buying an inexpensive laser printer to cut down on the ink expense anyway.
>
> It would seem to me that if it is really all that easy to do I could use even a toner copier and simply copy an ink jet copy with the toner copier. I gather that one of the key elements is to have control of the paper that the copier is using.
>

--
Internal Virus Database is out-of-date.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.289 / Virus Database: 267.11.13 - Release Date: 10/6/05

Found a good set of videos at http://www.getlofi.com/?p=1997.
Shows the steps of the toner transfer process.

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "John" <jferrell13@...> wrote:
>
> The wealth of information in this group is overwhelming me!
>
> I would like to avoid buying into the process with supplies and equipment that are not going to work.
>
> Are there any particular copiers/printers/toners that are known not to work for toner transfer for PCB's?
>
> I am thinking of buying an inexpensive laser printer to cut down on the ink expense anyway.
>
> It would seem to me that if it is really all that easy to do I could use even a toner copier and simply copy an ink jet copy with the toner copier. I gather that one of the key elements is to have control of the paper that the copier is using.
>

Well .. I had given that some thought as well ..
and there is a few printers mentioned in the archives if you want to search and see ..

But .. another thing you could do .. outside of the box ..
is go to a place like circuit city or staples .. and tell them you
would like to "try" their demo laserjet printers and have them print a pcb pattern on your own laserjet glossy paper. Then take them home
and try them .. though that is assuming you are at a point where the rest of the process is working for you .. but perhaps before investing in an expensive printer, you can find one that way ...
Just a thought ..

Check the links section of the website .. for the group ..
and also the guys put a page together .. with a lot of common info ..

it shouldn't be too far back in the posts .. was a peroxide mix subject line ..

Randy - N2CUA

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "John" <jferrell13@...> wrote:
>
> The wealth of information in this group is overwhelming me!
>
> I would like to avoid buying into the process with supplies and equipment that are not going to work.
>
> Are there any particular copiers/printers/toners that are known not to work for toner transfer for PCB's?
>
> I am thinking of buying an inexpensive laser printer to cut down on the ink expense anyway.
>
> It would seem to me that if it is really all that easy to do I could use even a toner copier and simply copy an ink jet copy with the toner copier. I gather that one of the key elements is to have control of the paper that the copier is using.
>

S, John piše:

> The wealth of information in this group is overwhelming me!
>
> I would like to avoid buying into the process with supplies and equipment that are not going to work.
>
> Are there any particular copiers/printers/toners that are known not to work for toner transfer for PCB's?
>
> I am thinking of buying an inexpensive laser printer to cut down on the ink expense anyway.
>
> It would seem to me that if it is really all that easy to do I could use even a toner copier and simply copy an ink jet copy with the toner copier. I gather that one of the key elements is to have control of the paper that the copier is using.
>
>
>

Brother HL series is bad... It's has good print and accuracy but the
toner doesn't transfer. The HP is better in that way.

Thanks for the help!
I think I have enough equipment & supplies to get started. Now is the time for the "Lab part" of the learning exercise. When I get some results (good or bad), I will report back...

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "John" <jferrell13@...> wrote:
>
> The wealth of information in this group is overwhelming me!
>

Thanks for the help!
I think I have enough equipment & supplies to get started. Now is the time for the "Lab part" of the learning exercise. When I get some results (good or bad), I will report back...

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "John" <jferrell13@...> wrote:
>
> The wealth of information in this group is overwhelming me!
>

Where you from John ?
Related to Crystal Ferrell?

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "John" <jferrell13@...> wrote:
>
>
>
>
> Thanks for the help!
> I think I have enough equipment & supplies to get started. Now is the time for the "Lab part" of the learning exercise. When I get some results (good or bad), I will report back...
>
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "John" <jferrell13@> wrote:
> >
> > The wealth of information in this group is overwhelming me!
> >
>