16 Jun
2006
16 Jun
'06
3:12 p.m.
A while ago (late '80s, early '90s) I heard a
suggestion for using
copier toner as PCB etch resist (draw on paper, copy onto overhead
transparencies, iron onto the PCB). Now that PCB layout software is
available easily, as are laser printers, has anyone here tried it? I'm
wondering how well it would resolve for finer-pitch DIP/SIP packages,
or if the etchant would eat through the traces.
A friend and I are trying to build some surface mount boards using
this concept right now. We're working from notes here:
http://www.fullnet.com/u/tomg/gooteepc.htm
It's tricky at best. We seem to be having trouble with getting the
toner to stick where single lines are a ways from other stuff. I'm
looking into alternate papers, different printer, etc.
We haven't tried etching yet, so I can't speak to whether we'll have
problems with the etchant eating into the fine lines.
De