Homebrew PCBs

Hi all,
         I am a newbie in this group so i go off with a question
straight away. I heard about this group in yet another forum through
ST and joined here. I am in search for a good technique for
transfering computer printout to copper clad sheet. 

         I went across the messages and links, but there are too much
to read. Nevertheless, here are my queries:

1. Most of the designs I do are single sided ( I am a student and
amateur).

2. I do have a good PCB CAD software called freePCB(www.freepcb.com) (
infact, i met ST there..)

3. I do by manually drawing etch resistant pens and FeCl2 etching.

4. I tried the toner-iron method once. I took a transparent sheet used
for OHPs, took a photocopy of the layout in that sheet. So, i had the
"toner" version of my layout. Then, I cleaned the copper clad sheet,
put the transparent sheet over, did some ironing works. I knew that I
dint go by proper timings and temperature setting. But when i peeled
off the sheet, I had only very little bit of traces stuck in the
board. I dropped the idea since I had no more help.

5. The problems here are: whenever I come across the sites pertaining
to special transparent sheets, etc, they are North America or Europe
based which have no or few representatives here in Asia. Even if they
have, the freight charges and minimum order quantities are daunting. 

Also, I am sure that the answer to my requirement resides inside in
this group but searching it among 8592 posts is really like searching
a needle in a haystack.

Any critism, advices, caveats, gratefully accepted.

Regards,
Vignesh.

Don't discount the Files, Photos, Links and Database sections of the list.

Some links about using cheaper paper, from the Toner Transfer folder
in Links:

Decent PCBs on the Cheap
Toner transfer using magazine pages! Definitely cheap. Fantastic results.
http://myweb.cableone.net/wheedal/pcb.htm
  
Easy PCB Creation
Another alternative paper for toner transfer.
http://www.wd5gnr.com/pcb.htm
 
Easy PCB Fabrication
Toner transfer step-by-step. Suggestions for using cheap(er) inkjet
paper instead of the expensive commercial toner transfer paper.
http://www.fullnet.com/u/tomg/gooteepc.htm

Extreme Cooling article on Toner Transfer
Pretty standard article on using clay coated inkjet paper for laser
toner transfer.
http://www.extremecooling.org/ec/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=73&page=1


How to make Homebrew Doublesided Circuit Boards
Hints and tips to using cheaper paper to do toner transfer
http://www.infiltec.com/seismo/pcb-home.htm
 
Jet Print multi-project photo paper
Tested and suggested by a list member for toner transfer. Soak paper off.
http://www.jetprintphoto.com/c/c3.asp
 
Make Your Own Prototype PCBs
Toner Transfer instruction. Annoying popunder ads but otherwise good
step-by-step with pictures.
http://geocities.com/pdmtr/

Paper Zone - clay coated works for toner transfer
Clay coated paper tested and suggested for laser toner transfer. Soak
paper off.
http://www.paperzonestore.com/cgi-bin/paperzon/WEGW1180.html

Robert's Toner Transfer with Inkjet Paper
Using inkjet paper in a laser printer for toner transfer. Much cheaper
than specialty films. Also has details on etching with Ammonium
Persulphate.
http://www.pacificsun.ca/~robert/pcb/pcb.htm
 
Using clay coated inkjet paper for toner transfer
Ironically, a site that has info on building a PCB milling machine.
This page is for his 4 axis stepper controller, but has info on using
clay coated inkjet paper instead of PnP Blue for toner transfer.
http://www.buildyouridea.com/hardware/4_axis_controller/4_axis.html

Steve Greenfield

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "vignesh e" <prasadvignesh@y...>
wrote:

> 
> Hi all,
>          I am a newbie in this group so i go off with a question
> straight away. I heard about this group in yet another forum through
> ST and joined here. I am in search for a good technique for
> transfering computer printout to copper clad sheet. 
> 
>          I went across the messages and links, but there are too much
> to read. Nevertheless, here are my queries:
> 
> 1. Most of the designs I do are single sided ( I am a student and
> amateur).
> 
> 2. I do have a good PCB CAD software called freePCB(www.freepcb.com) 
> (infact, i met ST there..)
> 
> 3. I do by manually drawing etch resistant pens and FeCl2 etching.
> 
> 4. I tried the toner-iron method once. I took a transparent sheet used
> for OHPs, took a photocopy of the layout in that sheet. So, i had the
> "toner" version of my layout. Then, I cleaned the copper clad sheet,
> put the transparent sheet over, did some ironing works. I knew that I
> dint go by proper timings and temperature setting. But when i peeled
> off the sheet, I had only very little bit of traces stuck in the
> board. I dropped the idea since I had no more help.