Question about etching and which laser printer to use?

[Brymus]

I just recieved the materials to try my hand at etching.
I have everything except the laser printer (mine is an HP photojet).
A trip to the local office supply and they had a couple of black only laser printers for 50$ and 70$
The 50$ only did 600x 600 dpi and the 70$ did 1200x 600 Dpi ,then for 149$ there was one that did 1200x 1200 dpi
They guy there said that 1200 x 600 dpi would produce fonts as small as an example of ,really tiny smaller than any traces I would etch.

So whats the recomended size for etching PC boards is 600 x 600 dpi good enough ?

Or should I spend a little more and get 1200 x 600 dpi ability ?

Also they had a color laser printer fro reasonable ,then I could do the good decals for lettering and graphics on my enclosures.
it does 2400 x 600 dpi ,is that going to be good enough for good graphics ?

My photo jet has better dpi than that,but the guy said thats because the ink runs so it really isnt as good as the 2400 x 600 dpi laser printer.
Sorry for so many questions but my only purpose for a laser printer is doing resist etching and enclosure graphics.
Thanks for the help,Bryan

[kungpow79]

my only purpose for a laser printer is doing resist etching and enclosure graphics

Then I might suggest just getting a cheap, used laser printer off craigslist/ebay/local classifieds.  Save yourself a few bucks.  Adds DIY "mojo." 

I think for PCBs, 600 x 600 is good enuf.  Now for graphics on say, Laser printer waterslide decal, well I'm not sure.  More dpi, the finer resolution.  It might be like 720p vs 1080p, ya know? i.e. may not be a huge differeence.   Maybe skim thru the Pictures gallery, and when you see something you like, PM that guy (or gal) and ask em what they used.

[composition4]

My only input is don't get a Brother for etching... I have one and while I get by, the coverage isn't great even with toner set to max coverage.  I've heard a lot of others having the same problem with Brothers...

Now I'm not sure if it's ALL Brothers but for reference mine is a HL-2140

Jonathan

[Brymus]

My only input is don't get a Brother for etching... I have one and while I get by, the coverage isn't great even with toner set to max coverage.  I've heard a lot of others having the same problem with Brothers...

Now I'm not sure if it's ALL Brothers but for reference mine is a HL-2140

Jonathan

Hey thanks for the tip > the two I mentioned are both Brother printers...
The 70$ one is the HL-2140, so I guess those two are out.
Anyone else have some tips ?
What printers do you guys use to get good results ?

[bumblebee]

From all I have heard, and I have heard it a lot, Brothers are the worst possible printers you can get for making PCB'S!!!

[John Lyons]

I have a Samsung ML-2510 and it works great.
I was around $100

[mikemaddux]

craigslist - $10

panasonic KX-MB271

people are always getting rid of laser printers (on craigslist) for smaller ones....or they just got one free with their new computer....or whatever

and a lot of small businesses sell off their laser printers on Craigslist when they go out of business or upgrade

[Brymus]

Yeah Craigslist is a good idea,
I just picked up the one John mentioned (actually its replacement) ML-2525 for 59$ on sale.
They had the ML 2510 on the clearance shelf (it was a demo model for 54$ )
The guy there said they are identicle except the 2525 has more memory and a longer duty cycle (more uses before the drum needs replaced)12,000 pages for the 2525 vs 10,000 for the 2510,not much difference.
So thanks for the heads up john your boards are perfect ,so if I can get close to that good of results I should be OK with some practice.

Do I need laser photo paper ? and what is this best kind  ?
My local Staples didnt have any laser photo paper,but said they could order it.
I got the printer at Office Max ,the last day of this sale though.
I wasnt sure if the HP laser photo paper would work so I am waiting for some feedback from you guys.
Thanks again Bryan

[electrosonic]

My Brother Hl-2030 is pretty much useless for toner transfer. Since can't justify shelling out more money for a second printer, I print the layout on paper with my 2030 and then make a photocopy onto toner transfer paper using a high quality photocopier at my local Kinko's.

A.

[differo]

With some effort you can make very fine PCB with any 600dpi printer (laser - has to be!). For etching enclosures or decals - well I'm not that pleased with my canon (cheap one couple of years old). Will go for something that can print with higher density and better resolution than 600dpi. We'll see if that helps

[Ryo]

Just wondering.. what was the problem using the Brother HL-2140.  Was the toner not transferring to the copper or was the toner coming off while etching?  Reason for asking is that I have that specific model..  (nuts)

Thanks.

[edvard]

* edvard bein a rebel...

I have a Brother HL-1440 with 600x1200 capability and it gets just fine coverage at 600x600 dpi.
I print on sticker backing paper and it works just fine  

EDIT: to explain further, I print on sticker backing paper, iron it onto the copper, dunk it in cold water for 30 seconds, and it's good.
I recall having to tweak the resolution somehow, but I haven't etched for a month or two so I don't recall offhand.

[spargo]

That's interesting, I have a Brother HL-2040 (older version of the HL-2140) and I have made PCBs with it just fine.  I use magazine paper, too.  I have found a couple things out though: the thicker magazine paper works better than the stuff from ads, it's necessary to let the board cool and soak in water for 1-2 minutes before peeling the paper off, and iron it very very well for a few minutes hot.  If I do all these things, they turn out fine.  I can fix small mess ups with a sharpie.