Doing inkjet prints and UV-transfers is a good option.

What you need:
- Inkjet transparancies
- Boards coated with positive photo-resist
- developer (NaOH)
- etchant (Na?? you have this already...)
- UV source.  (If you live in a place with direct sunlight it will be
freeee!)

If you have a HP printer with a photo-ink or similar you will most likely
have very thick glossy black ink.  This is the best to use as you can get
away with a single layer.  With Canon it is best to print same drawing twice
and tape them together to get thicker black.

Sanwitch to your PCB after removing the protective dark layer and expose to
UV as needed ,(experiment!) (1-2 mins MAX with direct sunlight!) and
develop.
If done right you won't have to worry too much about over-developing within
the normal timeframe of developing.  (1-2 minutes max.)

Then etch as if you used any other transfer method.

This method allows for better accuracy than toner-transfer and is a very
good solution even for hobbyists.  I often like to make my tracks as wide as
possible to prevent any mishaps during etching, but I can reliably do 12mil
wide tracks without being too careful.  12mil with toner-transfer is scetchy
at best!

    KreAture



----- Original Message -----
From: "Jai Dhar" <jdhar@ENGMAIL.UWATERLOO.CA>
To: <PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU>
Sent: Tuesday, April 01, 2003 2:35 AM
Subject: Re: [EE]: Etchant tank


> To let you guys know (who are tracking this), the Sharpie works great as
long
> as I make sure the lines are as dark as possible. Obviously I'm still
> experimenting with the process since I'm new at this (thank god I have a
lot of
> boards). I don't think I will be able to do SMT with the sharpie though,
unless
> I get a super thin one. I guess using laser toner transfer would be the
way to
> go then? (thinking a few months down the road here).
>
> I just bought a brand new dremel and drill press stand, so that and the
etchant
> will keep me busy for the next while :-)
>
> Quoting jim barchuk <jb@JBARCHUK.COM>:
>
> > Hi Jai!
> >
> > > Jai Dhar wrote:
> >
> > > drew some lines on it (both with an etching marker that I purchased,
and a
> > > 'Sharpie' - the etching marker was really thick, so I decided to try
both
> > > since the Sharpie was thinner).
> >
> > How did the Sharpie work out as a resist?
> >
> > And did you try it all again with a more concentrated solution, again
> > with the Sharpie, and how well did it work??
> >
> > Have a :) day!
> >
> > jb
> >
> > --
> > jim barchuk
> > jb@jbarchuk.com
> >
> > --
> > http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us!
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> >
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>
>
>
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