On 3/3/2019 11:01 AM, Harvey Altstadter wrote:
Dave,
First: sit down, take a deep breath, and release it slowly:-)
I don't understand the problem with printing a pdf on the HP1022. I have an HP1018 which is closely related, and never had a problem with printing pdfs. You might visit the HP website and look for an updated driver. I am still on Win 7, dreading the day I have to migrate to Win10.
Regardless of how you print your pattern, you must double check it for dimensional accuracy. Both of the printers I use print pdfs slightly under size to the tune of 1-3%. It doesn't sound like much, but you will notice some difficulty inserting a 14 pin dip, unless your holes are very large. As the board gets bigger, or uses long headers, this becomes more than just an annoyance.
Once you have verified the dimensional accuracy of your print, make several copies. That will save you time when you have to redo because you didn't get the coverage you were expecting.
If your reference to the "no Iron" method is the so called cold process where you use acetone and alcohol, be prepared for an adventure. When I tried it, I found that I had to experiment with the proportions of the chemicals, and once I had that correct, I still had spotty results. Sometimes the transfer was almost perfect, other times, not so much. I eventually abandoned that process.
The iron is ok for experimentation, but if you continue to make boards, you should consider getting a laminator.? Search the archives for more on this. We do have some strong proponents of the iron method, but I think you will find that there are more laminator users.
The T shirt press sounds interesting. I don't remember any discussion on that type of equipment.
Don't get ahead of yourself with regard to the drill bits. If you are using a glass/epoxy laminate (FR4, etc), using regular high speed bits will be a disappointment. They will be dull after a few holes, and they might also tear up your pads. Wait for the bits, you won't be sorry. Drill at high speed, but feed slowly. The bits are brittle and you will break a few while you are learning.
As regards the etchant, pay attention to the safe handling rules. Wear gloves, eye protection, and an acid proof apron or other acid proof clothing, work in a well ventilated area, and keep a bucket of clean water close by in case of accident.
Best of luck for your first try.
Harvey
Ok, big breath taken and breakfast eaten too. Believe me, I build and repair pc's and do programming etc, but that problem with the Adobe is real. It may be the DesignSpark PCB outputs the pdf with and older format or something as other pdf's do print on the HP. I reinstalled the HP driver a couple of times from the HP site to no avail. Other people have reported the same issue and Adobe is mum as Win7 is on it's way out.
I will check the accuracy as I planned on doing that anyhow. Several copies was in the plans too.
On the no iron method you guessed it! :) It just looked to good to be true so I figured I would at least try it. What's to lose? But I also thought it wouldn't be as easy as it looked.
I bought a Harbor Freight laminator years ago but never got to modding it. I am going to but an Apache AL13P as I found a Jameco pdf on how to mod it and I can handle that. The t-shirt press was just a possibility just because I have one but it take a lot of wasted energy to heat it up unless I was going to do many boards and assuming it actually would work.
I bought some 2oz 2x6 CEM1 boards but I do has some fiberglass ones somewhere. I was going to use the CEM1 as I never used them before and wanted to avoid the fiberglass.
I have a small machine shop so I know some stuff about run out etc. I have used and broke a bunch of my small carbide I bought in the past for my circuit board use. Problem was I used a drill press or maybe a dremel and was doing small holes for my wife or mother in laws jewelry projects. I know how fragile they are. That is also why I bought the Proxxon, even though I could have went a cheaper route.
I will be very careful and add the acid to the water etc. I learned that when we had a soap making business and I made lye soap. I will be outside too to avoid fumes etc and have some water nearby just in case. I am going to use a small square Rubbermade container for the etchant to allow resealing it for the new time.
Thanks for your feedback
