Another successful "Photo Paper" PCB

[Hiwatt25]

Just thought I'd share a picture of my lastest Photo Paper PCB in hopes of converting some to the dark side.  This is the best one yet, getting a good technique down. 

[$uperpuma]

looks great!

[zjokka]

Just thought I'd share a picture of my lastest Photo Paper PCB in hopes of converting some to the dark side.  This is the best one yet, getting a good technique down. 

My PNP is growing hair too. Bought it when I wanted to start etching, but copied it on the best photopaper they had in the copy shop (still 1/8 of the price of PNP for me here), and used that ever since. Here are my experiences:

- I have the impression that photopaper can take the heat much better than pnp. I used highest setting on a modern iron but have even switched to a old iron in solid metal (no hole in the bottom). The weight of the thing is another advantage. I've applied more and more heat as I went along, and never had a problem or 'smears' of toner
-I am thinking about punching holes in the blank spaces between the traces on the paper to let air escape better during the ironing.
-Rubbing off the paper is no work at all. Do soak it in boiling (not cold: the paper will shrink after having been heated) water to get the paper off. The paper should be removed as good as possible, it doesn't resist etching completely, but just takes more time. Results in uneven etch
-Final Film. There's this thin film after you've rubbed of most of the paper. The only way I can effeciently is with my finger nails or lots of rubbing. I'm beginning to think that leaving it on is ok, but lenghtens the etching time seriously. Only a feeling...
-Hasn't anybody tried etching enclosures with photopaper? I think I will soon, there's no money lost in it.

tell some more about your specific techniques and pratices, board looks spiffy!

zj

[Ronsonic]

New tool.

Don't scrape things with a thumb or fingernail. Use a guitar pick. It's the perfect tool for all those jobs that nails would otherwise do.

Ron