How to make PCB's with a laser printer

sock2828 · Post by **sock2828** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 11:05 am

cool http://max8888.orcon.net.nz/pcbs.htm

NES_fanatic · Post by **NES_fanatic** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 1:27 pm

That's ingenious! (spelling?) Now I just have to get an excuse to make one.

EDIT: Hmm. Couldn't you do that with any drawing program actually?

bioniclebert · Post by **bioniclebert** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 1:34 pm

Wow! Nice!

Post by **gannon** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 2:01 pm

Works good for things that aren't very complex. Have fun drilling the holes though.

demonofaj · Post by **demonofaj** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 2:03 pm

That's nice, now I don't have to custom make with extreme money...however, uh...if we're gonna print it, wouldn't there be some sort of 'paper jam'.

superdeformed · Post by **superdeformed** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 2:37 pm

There's a company (http://www.pulsar.gs) that makes paper specifically for transfering toner. Of course, if you find the right kind of normal paper it'll do the job the same. They also make a couple different foils that will stick to the toner, filling in any tiny gaps so you don't end up with pitted traces. It works pretty well, and you can do somewhat complicated boards with it. And drilling the holes really isn't that hard, you just need some small high speed bits and a drill press. You could also do it with a pin vice if you have a lot of patience.

ArtemisGoldfish · Post by **ArtemisGoldfish** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 2:48 pm

Actually, I saw how to make a Toner-assisted PCB on TechTV (Or G4, whatever it was at the time), with Gold leaf and acid? (I didn't bother to read the article, due to being completely lazy).

When I saw it on TV, it showed a guy that was making (I think) the super-ultra-mega-tiny NES controller.Cool stuff.

totokan · Post by **totokan** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 3:27 pm

That's old news, it was on hackaday a looong time ago.

Harshboy · Post by **Harshboy** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 7:00 pm

does it have to be a laser printer, or can it be a inkjet printer? I have an inkjet

sniper_spike · Post by **sniper_spike** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 7:02 pm

The "ink" has to be from a toner. If you don't have a laser printer you can simply print it out on the inkjet first, then run it through a copy machine (with glossy paper in the copy machine of course).

vb_master · Post by **vb_master** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 7:03 pm

Harshboy wrote:does it have to be a laser printer, or can it be a inkjet printer? I have an inkjet

Must be laser. Pick up a Samsung at Bestbuy for less then $99 and be happy.

Post by **marshallh** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 7:04 pm

Here's a site with a little more detail on what paper types can be used. Yes, you use inkjet photo paper with a laser printer (you HAVE to use a laser printer.)
http://www.fullnet.com/u/tomg/gooteepc.htm

Harshboy · Post by **Harshboy** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 7:04 pm

my printer has a copier built in.........will that work? Its one of them All-in-ones by Dell.

vb_master wrote:
Harshboy wrote:does it have to be a laser printer, or can it be a inkjet printer? I have an inkjet
Must be laser. Pick up a Samsung at Bestbuy for less then $99 and be happy.

Yeah...umm, no. I need money to make my ghetto GCp even more ghettoier (is that a word!?)

sniper_spike · Post by **sniper_spike** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 7:07 pm

Unless it has a seperate toner cartridge for the copier (which I highly doubt), it won't work.
Sorry.

Harshboy · Post by **Harshboy** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 7:09 pm

Ok, well, i wont be making pcbs then...couldhave helped the GCp i suppose...easier wiring, you chould see the inside, my wires arnt labeled and is just a huge mess...oh well