First time failure: Toner Transfer Method

[spinnaker]

I tried the toner transfer method tonight. It failed. It transferred about 2/3 fairly well. In the remaining, half of that was spotty while the rest did not transfer at all.

I prepared the board by buffing it with steel wool.

Should I have Scotch Brite pads?

Now that I did a search, I know what they are. I now realize I have some. I am such a bachelor.

I then cleaned the board vigorously with acetone.


I printed the PCB layout on a page from a 2009 calendar. It has a glossy surface and I figured it was a good choice.


One thing, there was a delay of about an hour or so from when I printed the PCB to when I started to iron.

Should I start ironing right after printing?


I gave moderated pressure over all and then started moving the iron around.

I did not actually use the very tip of the iron but did lift it up on edge to apply a bit more pressure.

I ironed for about 5-10 minutes. I really should have timed it.


Where did I go wrong? Can I expect a failure the first coupe of times?

[retched]

Never want to use steel wool. Leaves particles behind, no matter how hard you try to get rid of them, and they will rust and hinder adhesion of the toner. (As you now see) And your paper choice was an unfortunate bad choice. Grab a Best Buy circular. (Or any thin gloss type ad). The "glossy" paper is a variety of layers that leaves much to be desired.

What temperature did you set the iron to? Did you LEAN into it pretty hard? Did you have the steam off?(I hope)

[spinnaker]

I think I see one problem. Looks like my printer was not set to highest quality by default. And dithering was on. PCB Express does not let you set printer properties!!!

Looks like I will need to print to a PDF then print using Adobe Reader. Or set my defaults tot he highest quality in control panel.

I wish PCB Express would let you set print properties .

[spinnaker]

Originally Posted by retched

Never want to use steel wool. Leaves particles behind, no matter how hard you try to get rid of them, and they will rust and hinder adhesion of the toner. (As you now see) And your paper choice was an unfortunate bad choice. Grab a Best Buy circular. (Or any thin gloss type ad). The "glossy" paper is a variety of layers that leaves much to be desired.

What temperature did you set the iron to? Did you LEAN into it pretty hard? Did you have the steam off?(I hope)

Is that copper toast? or can I save it?

Steam Off.

Cotton Setting.


No I did not lean real hard. I read you can sometimes press too hard and smear it.

[BMorse]

Originally Posted by spinnaker

Is that copper toast? or can I save it?

Put some butter on it and save it for breakfast...

You can set your printer properties yourself by going to your printers folder in the control panel or in the printers folder from the start menu.......

No I did not lean real hard. I read you can sometimes press too hard and smear it.

only if you let the paper slide on the copper while ironing...... and keep the Iron flat on the piece, do not tilt it to the side or use the tip to rub it, you need to apply firm even pressure as you iron it, and you can't "over iron" it, if you are unsure, keep ironing it until you feel it is done and you feel it is sufficient.....

[spinnaker]

Originally Posted by BMorse

Put some butter on it and save it for breakfast...

You can set your printer properties yourself by going to your printers folder in the control panel or in the printers folder from the start menu.......

Yeah that is what I meant by going to the control panel.


Seriously, should I even bother with that piece of copper any more?

[BMorse]

Originally Posted by spinnaker

Seriously, should I even bother with that piece of copper any more?

Well as Retched said, you pretty much embedded it with small steel wool particles, which will rust and cause problems later on with your circuit, and the toner transfer will most likely not take no matter how you iron it. I would start with a fresh board, save that one for another use later, maybe you can use it to do a "manhattan" style pcb later on.....

[spinnaker]

Thanks for the tips you two.

One last question. Some say to preheat the cooper before placing the paper and others say don't. What is the best way?


Oh also read a tip to use a dowel rod when ironing, Supposedly, it bends the copper a bit, giving a better transfer.

[BMorse]

Originally Posted by spinnaker

One last question. Some say to preheat the cooper before placing the paper and others say don't. What is the best way?

Oh also read a tip to use a dowel rod when ironing, Supposedly, it bends the copper a bit, giving a better transfer.

I have done it both ways, and I do never really seen a difference on how it comes out, so pre heat or not to pre heat, is really up to you.

As for the dowel technique, I have heard of people using that technique, where they place a dowel under the PCB and roll over it, but to me it seems more of a hassle trying to move the iron around on the PCB as you "roll" the PCB on the dowel, it is like patting the top of your head and rubbing your belly at the same time.....

I always just used a bath towel (or similar, those thick ones) and folded that in half, and then in half again and layed that over the counter and that is what I ironed my boards on... the towel acts as an automatic leveler for the board as long as you apply firm pressure with the flat side of the iron as you move it about the board while ironing.

[retched]

As for preheating, I would wait to try it. If you preheat too warm, when you go to set the transfer, it may stick if it touches before you get it positioned properly. I never have preheated, seems to me, the iron will heat it plenty.

And about the pressure, for super thin traces, (less than 1mil) you can "smash" them a little wide, supposedly. I never print that small. But I have also heard that hard pressure can help alleviate or close pinholes. I would prefer that.

Keep that steel wool far, far away. In a distant galaxy...nevermind