> Hello all,
>
> I have a question regarding this whole thread: I have tried using the
> special paper that you print onto using a laser printer and then "iron" on
> to the board, and I have had very little luck (this is NOT the copper foil
> paper, which I have never seen). What I did was to print my patter using a
> laser printer. I baked the paper slightly in an oven (I also tried not
> doing this). Then I thorouly cleaned and even lightly sanded the board,
> placed the paper on it, and then applied heat and pressure. To apply the
> heat and pressure I tried both an iron and a commercial t-shirt press on
> max. heat and on medium heat. I then within 20 seconds placed the
> board/paper combination into  water until the paper separated. I ALWAYS got
> an unsatisfactory result, some of the toner would fall off in the water and
> I would be left with a spotty board. I even called the manufacturer and
> tried his suggestions. Nothing worked. I even tried several different
> batches of paper. To no avail. Any idea what I was doing wrong?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Sean

        I wonder if this thread is starting to get a little off topic.

        I've been using the toner transfer system for about 4 years now, and
I get very good results. I've used both the 'blue' waterless
Press-n-peel stuff, and the gel 'water' paper from DynaArt Designs.
 The DynaArt material gives slightly better results but it's
twice as expensive. I order transfer sheets 50 at a time (I use
it a lot!) and I don't throw much of it in the garbage from botched
results.
        I've never did anything special to prepare the copper clad beside
clean it with some steel wool.
        I've used an HP LJ-IIp and a LJ-III printer and both worked fine.

        The only real suggestion I can give to improve results is to always
use a laminator to transfer the toner to the copper clad. Cloth irons
don't work consistently, and I don't think a tee shirt press will
work.
        I use a small badge laminator for 99% of my designs (boards
can't be more then 5 inches wide), but I've borrowed a larger
laminator for bigger designs and it also worked fine. It helps to
crank up the heat setting a bit and run the artwork through twice
just to be sure all the toner transfers. Also make sure the
copper clad is absolutely dry before it goes through the transfer
process.

        DynaArt sells a modified (slower) 12 inch laminator
that works great, but at about $200.00 (US), it's a bit (IMHO)
expensive.
        I usually find small used laminators at Ham Fests for about $25.00.
As a plus you can also make all the luggage tags you'll ever need.


Hope this helps............


BTW,  some phone number before anybody asks:

        DynaArt Designs 805-943-4746
        (All sorts of home PCB fabrication materials  definitely worth
getting their catalogue)

        Techniks 908-788-8249
        ( Makers of Press-n-Peel transfer film)

carl

--------------------------------------------------------
Henry Carl Ott   N2RVQ    carlott@interport.net
http://www.interport.net/~carlott/
--------------------------------------------------------
Any sufficiently advanced technology is
indistinguishable from a rigged demo.