Etching Problems

[JKowalski]

I've been trying to etch this enclosure for the last three days...

I just can't get the laser printer toner to stick.

I am using a normal laser printer on inkjet photo paper, with the iron (a method which I have used before with total success on all of my many many circuit boards and two other aluminum enclosures). The first try, I got absolutely no toner whatsoever on the enclosure - I attributed it to not enough sanding, since I have occasionally slacked on that step with similar (but not as bad) results.

So I sanded it with great care and elbow grease, in successive grits ending with steel wool, to a near perfect finish. Immediately after, with no handling of the surface, I tried it again... I got a few dots and blobs every now and then. I would say about a 3% transfer.

Any ideas? This is the first time I have ever had any problems with my toner transfer method. I just don't know what to try next.

The enclosure is from the same source as my other (successfully) etched enclosures.



Do you think a light surface etch over the whole enclosure would be worth trying?

[nosamiam]

What are you cleaning it with between sanding and ironing?

[Al Heeley]

Hmm, is it a new load of toner in the printer? Have you tried wiping down the sanded surface with white spirit or acetone to remove any oil. dirt, grease?

[JKowalski]

I am not using anything to clean it off after sanding. I have done it that way always, and have never had problems. I use unused sandpaper and steel wool to sand it, and take care to prevent anything except the sanding implement from touching the object.

I suppose I will try cleaning it with something for another go, but it seems completely impossible that that will change anything. I really think there is another factor at work here.

I have installed a new toner cartridge recently, but I have etched a few copper boards between that time and now fine... That is interesting, though...

[JKowalski]

I dunked the whole top in some of my used ferric chloride today, for a few seconds, and it scoured the top... scrubbed off the black gook left over... cleaned it... tried it again.

Went over it three times with the iron. The end result is about a 50-60 percent transfer. Obviously, not near good enough for etching.

I am completely lost. Three days of work at something that I have done many many times before without any problems, and still nothing to show for it. I don't want to give up, because I have the enclosure already drilled, artwork already drawn and designed for it...  

It seems like an impossible event from all perspectives. So I really don't know what to ask you guys.

[Nasse]

If I remember somebody made reports that some manufacturers have changed the toner, more greasy stuff or something so the machine needs less maintenance but performance for pnp  and photo paper method sucks

[cloudscapes]

I'd guess it's the toner as well. I really don't spend much time sanding and cleaning my board and it still manages to work. (one fine grit pass for a minute, and wrinse with cold water, that always works for me)

[not the man]

hi, did you figure out the solution to your problem yet?  is the enclosure bigger than your last two stompboxes?