Homebrew PCBs

I've been trying to do some larger boards using a laser printer and
the Staples Picture Paper applied with a clothes iron.  This worked
fine for smaller boards (3"x4") - but didn't work at all when I tried
it with a 8"x10" board.  The paper just wasn't sticking - and the
toner didn't transfer.

I concluded the problem was not enough heat - my iron just wasn't
getting the board hot enough when there's that much surface area.

So - I decided to try flipping it around - heat up the board - and
then apply pressure with a cold clothes iron from the front.

My BBQ (propane) seemed like a logical source of heat.  Yes, I put the
board directly on the grill.  Didn't even use any olive oil.

I "cooked" the board for about 2 minutes on high as I applied pressure
with the clothes iron.

To my shock - it worked really well.  The paper didn't stick like it
normally does - but the toner transfered perfectly.

The back of the board didn't show any ill-effects from flame exposure
(I was using a one-sided board - with the FR4 getting exposed to the
flames).  FR does indeed stand for fire resistant.

Not sure if anyone else has tried this before - but it certainly seems
to work - and has advantages over a clothes iron at least for larger
boards.

I would mention that FR4 probably emanates toxic fumes.  I do not know if
your BBQ has totally destroyed them.  They might remain in the housing, or
on the grill itself.

Someone with an engineering degree is better suited to inform you of the
toxic hazards.  But if this is a scrap BBQ, hey, go for it!

Robert
:)


-----Message d'origine-----
De : Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com] De
la part de rich_olson
Envoyé : juin 13 2005 04:27
À : Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
Objet : [Homebrew_PCBs] PCB on the BBQ (clothes iron alternative)


I've been trying to do some larger boards using a laser printer and the
Staples Picture Paper applied with a clothes iron.  This worked fine for
smaller boards (3"x4") - but didn't work at all when I tried it with a
8"x10" board.  The paper just wasn't sticking - and the toner didn't
transfer.

I concluded the problem was not enough heat - my iron just wasn't getting
the board hot enough when there's that much surface area.

So - I decided to try flipping it around - heat up the board - and then
apply pressure with a cold clothes iron from the front.

My BBQ (propane) seemed like a logical source of heat.  Yes, I put the board
directly on the grill.  Didn't even use any olive oil.

I "cooked" the board for about 2 minutes on high as I applied pressure with
the clothes iron.

To my shock - it worked really well.  The paper didn't stick like it
normally does - but the toner transfered perfectly.

The back of the board didn't show any ill-effects from flame exposure (I was
using a one-sided board - with the FR4 getting exposed to the flames).  FR
does indeed stand for fire resistant.

Not sure if anyone else has tried this before - but it certainly seems to
work - and has advantages over a clothes iron at least for larger boards.  









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