Best paper for DIY printed circuit boards?

[solderstain]

If cost isn't too big a problem and you are going to make multiple boards how about PCB Express?
They have a freeware PCB design program you make up your layout on then you send it to them.
They make the boards for you.
Not sure how much they charge but you would get pro looking boards.

Just to chime in about PCB Express, I've used them many times. Easy, easy to work with. After you've drafted your board, you can actually see the cost before you place your order. The software examines your design and tells you the cost up front.

The comment about using them for multiple boards is legit - the biggest expense is their setup fee, which is understandable, and unavoidable. If you're only going to order two (their minimum order), then it's not really worth it. The setup fee isn't cheap. The boards themselves will vary in cost depending on square inches and number of layers and number of pads, etc.

Once you send the board design off to them, your order arrives on your doorstep in 48 hours (not counting weekends). Can't bitch about THAT! The boards are excellent. I've never had an order arrive with any errors on any of the boards.

My only gripe is that they don't offer a version of the software that runs on a MAC. Their service and quality is great and their software is the only reason I keep an older Windoze machine around the house.

[Ripthorn]

I have used magazine paper before. I mostly have used it for smaller circuits, but I did the whole preamp/PI board using it on my first (and so far only) build. It gave me better results than PnP in most cases. Just make sure to get all your edges hot as well, as I find those traces to be the most susceptible to inadequate heat and thus poor toner transfer.

[flood]

back in germany, when my straight-to-SMD bachelor project (a 12 channel discrete ECG analog front end) was deemed as fail, i was given a grace period of two months to redo the whole thing. i had no cash left, so started etching on my window sill... the best results i got were with catalog paper! worked beautifully.

currently, i'm getting excellent results from label backing paper; i.e. the gliossy side of the paper used for backing printable labels. fantastic.

[Tonegeek]

My quest for the right paper is becoming perilous. I tried the Staples paper and it printed but got stuck on the last turn in the machine. As i mentioned earlier, it won't release after you transfer it. I then tried the glossy magazine paper (which is very thin) using an HP printer at work. First, the printer loaded it but complained that it was the wrong size. Then it never came out the other end, but did not indicate a paper jam. I could not locate the paper, so I ran a normal sheet through it and they both came out covered in toner. It was a total mess. Also, I think the paper was close to starting a fire as it was very hot. Then I tried a different printer and could not even get normal paper to go through it using the manual tray. No one ever uses that tray at work so it may have something jammed in it. Moral of the story: If you value your job, don't try this at work. I am now searching for a used HP and am sure I will be an expert at repairing them before this is all sorted out.

[dimitris]

Tonegeek I'm using glossy magazine paper all the time for pedal building with great results.The trick is to print first your pcb design to a plain paper sheet then cut a piece of magazine paper a little bigger than the print on the plain paper and stick it over it with a little sticky tape.Now print again your pcb on this sheet and the printing will be on the glossy paper.Of course the second time you have to feed the paper to the printer exactly the same way that you did it the first time.I use a pen to mark the upper left corner of the plain paper before feeding it in the printer the first time and then use this mark to feed it again the same way the second time.I'm doing it at work too(no laser printer at home) and never had a problem with paper jams. I hope that my description makes sense because English is not my native language.

[Sonny ReVerb]

dimitris, that's exactly what I do with with PNP blue. That way I only use a piece the size that I need and not a whole sheet. I was going to suggest the same method for the glossy paper, but you beat me to it.

[dimitris]

Cheers Sonny,I use this technique with decal paper too for making labels or faceplates.

[Tonegeek]

Tonegeek I'm using glossy magazine paper all the time for pedal building with great results.The trick is to print first your pcb design to a plain paper sheet then cut a piece of magazine paper a little bigger than the print on the plain paper and stick it over it with a little sticky tape.Now print again your pcb on this sheet and the printing will be on the glossy paper.Of course the second time you have to feed the paper to the printer exactly the same way that you did it the first time.I use a pen to mark the upper left corner of the plain paper before feeding it in the printer the first time and then use this mark to feed it again the same way the second time.I'm doing it at work too(no laser printer at home) and never had a problem with paper jams. I hope that my description makes sense because English is not my native language.

Your English is fine and your description makes perfect sense to me. Should I use 2 sided tape? I am a little concerned that the tape will melt. maybe a glue stick would be good, no?

[dimitris]

Hi,the regular single sided sticky tape that you can find in every office will stand the heat of the laser printer with no signs of melting.That's what I'm using but I guess that you could use double sided tape or glue stick with no problems too.

[Colossal]

My only gripe is that they don't offer a version of the software that runs on a MAC. Their service and quality is great and their software is the only reason I keep an older Windoze machine around the house.

'Stain,

FWIW, I run an instance of Wind'ohs on an Mac using Sun's Virtual Box (http://www.virtualbox.org/). Works better than a real PC (never crashes nor gets virused since it runs virtually ). I use it to run ExpressPCB and SCH and a few other must-have PC-only utilities. Time to cull your old Windoze machine!

[tob]

on a slightly unrelated note...

You can also use this technique to label your amp:

[img:800:533]http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/6806/img6654t.jpg[/img]

[SkinPimp]

what I use for transfers to Clad, is the backing to shipping / Address label paper, or any kind of sticker paper. remove the labels and print on the side that is now exposed, with a laser pinter. ( this is the waxy feeling side ) .. Iron it on to your clad and let the clad cool down on its own .. no need to run under water.. remove the paper and viola.. Faster , Cheaper, and better results. I do not like the blue PnP at all for the cost IMO . I have heard good results with magazine paper, but cannot confirm nor deny. glossy photo seems to be too big of a PITA. .. the Shipping label leftovers is the way to go for me ..

[solderstain]

'Stain,

FWIW, I run an instance of Wind'ohs on an Mac using Sun's Virtual Box (http://www.virtualbox.org/). Works better than a real PC (never crashes nor gets virused since it runs virtually ). I use it to run ExpressPCB and SCH and a few other must-have PC-only utilities. Time to cull your old Windoze machine!

Thanks. I know about a couple of different ways of running running 'doze on a Mac, but I refuse. It's a 'principle thing' with me. You know how some of the most militant non-smokers are EX-smokers? I'm a militant EX-'doze guy. In my previous corporate life, I spent 25+ years as a large-system/app Information Systems Project Manager in two industries with high regulatory accountability. Having to maintain and document hundreds of 'doze machines in those big companies was the BIGGEST pain in my a$$!!!! When I stopped working at my last corporate job, my last 'doze laptop went in the computer bag and I've been on Macs (again) ever since. The 'doze machine only comes out when I'm using the PCB software.

I know 'doze runs safely on a Mac when done right, but something in my gut just won't let me let me do it.

[Colossal]

Having to maintain and document hundreds of 'doze machines in those big companies was the BIGGEST pain in my a$$!!!! When I stopped working at my last corporate job, my last 'doze laptop went in the computer bag and I've been on Macs (again) ever since. The 'doze machine only comes out when I'm using the PCB software.

I know 'doze runs safely on a Mac when done right, but something in my gut just won't let me let me do it.

I couldn't agree with you more on the principal issue!! I never would have stooped to cheapening my Mac with that klugeware had it not been for the truly virtual aspect of Virtual Box (and the fact that I got an instance of XP for free). I never went with Boot Camp because a complete 'doze image has to be installed which opens up the Mac to catching every PC disease around. Virtual Box only needs the .iso file to operate so the toilet gets flushed every time you virtually shut it down; no issues with spyware, viruses, and other nonsense. I have a PC that I use to operate some instruments that I am stuck with until I can resolve a particularly vexing issue with a piece of PC software talking correctly with a USB licensing dongle outside the Virtual Box shell. The PC just sits there mocking me, gloating over the fact that I can't get rid of it (yet). One day though (shaking fist) I'll get <i>even</i>.

[Tonegeek]

I am contributing to my own derailed thread, oh well...

I have a bit different perspective. If it wasn't for MS, I probably would not have a job. I might not even be doing computer work, although Unix and Linux probably would have pulled me in. The thing about MS is that many organizations are using it and they need an army of people to fix it since the shit is always breaking! Also, about the time we get it all working, they come out with a new OS and my job security goes right back up! More money to buy more amp stuff...

Really, to heck with MS and Apple. If I could get the same apps for Ubuntu flavored Linux that run under Winblows, I would be there. Its free, secure and well supported. The applications are what matters more than the OS though and what good is a great OS if you can't produce on it? Plus, its one thing for a geek like me to switch OS's but try getting our wives to go along with it is another story...

Even with the computer, whats her's is her's and what's mine is her's...