Author Topic: paper for etching (Read 4097 times)

gaurav.p · « **on:** September 02, 2009, 11:09:09 AM »

can anyone tell me the paper to use for pcb etching .wat paer should i use ?
it should be cheap

Razor Concepts · « **Reply #1 on:** September 02, 2009, 12:35:23 PM »

People have used glossy paper from magazines, and glossy photo paper.

SmAsH · « **Reply #2 on:** September 02, 2009, 03:06:28 PM »

any glossy paper will do, just make sure it doesn't jam the printer

also, make sure its not the thick stuff, this is extremely hard to use!

TrickyNekro · « **Reply #3 on:** September 02, 2009, 03:13:40 PM »

By far magazine paper is a winner.... HP paper is the worst.... cause... it's of good quality and absorbs the tonner...

The lighter the paper is the best results you are gonna have.... And glossy magazine paper, is the best for this...
Light, glossy and usually recycled being of a very low quality is simply the best...
Use TV guide magazines they are the cheapest....

And for tonner transfer use a laminator not iron... You will have best results and best mood to continue....
Most modify the laminators to have lower speed so the don't need to insert/fetch the pcb many times...
But usually laminators come with AC motors which is a hell to control (a simple microcontroller CAN NOT handle the prossessing)
So you don't really have to modify it but to be more patient and insert/fetch the board for about 10 - 12 minutes to be sure of best results...

Cheers mate... and have a fun time making PCBs :-)

gaurav.p · « **Reply #4 on:** September 02, 2009, 09:58:36 PM »

will ironing it not do coz i don't know how to laminate

SmAsH · « **Reply #5 on:** September 03, 2009, 12:19:23 AM »

nope, ironing works fine

its how i do it.

Joker94 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 03, 2009, 02:59:41 AM »

does it matter what soet of printer you use, I have only heard that you can only use inkjet. Is this true

gaurav.p · « **Reply #7 on:** September 03, 2009, 03:05:29 AM »

i heard of using laserjet and i m happy that i hav it .thr is a method of using inkjet also

Joker94 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 03, 2009, 03:12:40 AM »

sorry i messed up, ireally meant to say laser, your right gaurav.p .

I have inkjet but i am sure i would be able to gain access to a laser printer.

SmAsH · « **Reply #9 on:** September 03, 2009, 05:34:00 AM »

most big photocopiers will do, check your local library, or school for one.

Joker94 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 03, 2009, 05:48:37 AM »

i sould be able to save it as a PDF and get my dad to print it off at his work

SmAsH · « **Reply #11 on:** September 03, 2009, 05:55:03 AM »

yup, just make sure it does not get resized!

Joker94 · « **Reply #12 on:** September 03, 2009, 06:01:47 AM »

i'll do a test ruun just to make sure but my comm tech teacher said to me the good thing about maaking documents a pdf is they stay the same and don't get resized. I guess i'll soon find out.

gaurav.p · « **Reply #13 on:** September 04, 2009, 04:28:16 AM »

i hav a doubt in the magazine paper which paper should i use will it be the cover page which is thicker and more glosier than other pages which r less thicker

SmAsH · « **Reply #14 on:** September 04, 2009, 07:19:16 AM »

with magazine pages, they say to use the pages, not the cover as it is too thick and may not work well.

TrickyNekro · « **Reply #15 on:** September 04, 2009, 10:26:29 AM »

laminate??? But a laminator man.... you just put a board between too rolling bars!!!

Iron works.... but it's not mood healthy....

Joker94 · « **Reply #16 on:** September 04, 2009, 04:38:39 PM »

is the board thin enough to go trough a laminator or will it jam.

Razor Concepts · « **Reply #17 on:** September 04, 2009, 05:08:20 PM »

The thing is almost no one has a laminator. its not exactly a common item.

Joker94 · « **Reply #18 on:** September 04, 2009, 05:28:39 PM »

i got one, my mum pinched it from her old office(she really got given it)

so i may be able to give it a try

galannthegreat · « **Reply #19 on:** September 04, 2009, 10:31:21 PM »

I find most laminators have "issues" with the use of 1/16" thick PCB, so if you're using that, be careful and watch the process to see if any stalls happen. There also is some laminators that you can get ahold of that accept thicker items, check here: http://www.pulsarprofx.com/PCBfx/main_site/pages/products/applicator/applicator.html

Joker94 · « **Reply #20 on:** September 04, 2009, 11:53:14 PM »

Don't worry, i was not planing on that at this stage.

Turns out i am having trouble getting uyse of a laser printer, may have to look into Photo Etching.(I can get my hands on a laser printer but the computer technicians won't let thin magazine paper go through it)

So does any one photo etch and have any tips or tricks, i have read up on the net andf i think i will give it a try.

TrickyNekro · « **Reply #21 on:** September 05, 2009, 04:47:01 PM »

Quote from: Razor Concepts on September 04, 2009, 05:08:20 PM

The thing is almost no one has a laminator. its not exactly a common item.

I have....

..... And.... it's hell common.... any computer store should have laminators...

And I got a new one for 20$...... :-P

Well.... I didn't have any stall problems.... Sometimes it needs a little pushing when inserting the board...
But if you use a little "insertion angle" you shouldn't have problems...

I've already made two boards with the laminator and they are perfect.... Way better that the iron...
and way more relaxing.... really.....

Pierre · « **Reply #22 on:** September 06, 2009, 10:21:48 PM »

A tutorial would be great.

I have been looking for tutorial on how to etch on PCB. If someone knows a good tut.
I learning to use PCB Express and would like to get confortable before testing.

Joker94 · « **Reply #23 on:** September 06, 2009, 10:39:54 PM »

google it and look on youtube as there are quite a few good vedios

have a look at this one

How To Etch Your Own Circuitboards

even though it is not a circuit the same process still applys

Joker94 · « **Reply #24 on:** September 06, 2009, 10:49:01 PM »

you don't have to use the acid he usesyou can use any acid of your choice. I use ammonium persulfate, i used to use ferric chloride but it is really messy and you get more etches out of ferric chloride.

Ammonium persulfate has to be about 50 degrees to etch at its best rate.

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Author Topic: paper for etching (Read 4097 times)