DIY PCB Toner Transfer (No Heat) & Etching

DIY PCB Toner Transfer (No Heat) & Etching

No need to use an Iron, transfer easily and fast!

No need to soak in water to remove paper, just peel and etch.

Music: The XX - Intro

[charlesworton]

Gareth, I tried to make this work several times, and got no where. It finally occurred to me that you're using nail polish remover, which isn't acetone; it contains acetone. A quick check of the product MSDS reveals that the specific gravity is .82 to .85; since pure acetone is .787, this means that it probably contains about 75% acetone (ignoring the confounding variables of aloe vera oil and scents). When I diluted my pure acetone down to 75% - 3 parts acetone to one part distilled water - I got much better results. I also found that a towel placed under the PCB - as you did - absorbs excess solution, and prevents it from being reabsorbed into the work, where it can cause damage. One difference I introduced was the use of a kitchen rolling pin; this allowed me to exert much greater vertical force, while keeping horizontal force at zero. Thanks for an excellent video. >Charlie

[georgealbertacanadaeh]

hello from Alberta, Canada
I am semi-retired now turning 65 years old this year. Took electronics in 1984-1984, Graduated with honors and began my electronics technician career.
In all my years I have made a few electronic projects but my pcb boards never turned out well. If I would have seen this 35 years ago I could have made so many projects.
I have a few on my mind now and was looking at how to get these done when I came across your article. Well done, many thanks from a former Brit born in Manchester, left in 1975.
Much appreciated you sharing this. I can't wait to try it!

[TheSageSpeaksBU]

Thanks, Gareth, for taking the time to pass along this great way of transferring the circuit design. I'm glad I won't have to buy another piece of equipment, just to use it for an occasional PCB.
I'm also impressed that you did it with one hand. Not bad at all.

[k.mohmed]

You are a genius. Your idea saved me 1month waiting for the material which is not available in local stores here.
Thank you very much

[iantobyclark]

after a few imperfections, I'm now getting perfect results nearly every time. Total game changer! Thank you Gareth.

[allthegearnoidea]

I used to make my own PCBs back in the day but I have never seen your method using the solvent. I am massively impressed. Thanks for sharing

[mariodistefano]

This is one of the best toner transfer systems I've ever seen !!! Congratulations!!!

[David_Flournoy]

Excellent Video. Thank you for your time used to produce this. I am new to PCB making, and always appreciate input from someone who has already been there.

[K.D.Fischer_HEPHY]

"Heat the oil in a large pan over a high setting. Add the onion, garlic and chicken and cook until it browns" - Got it ! Thank you very much.

[Luigi_Jam]

Thank you man! I've always strugled with the heat transfer and your video has just saved my life. Definitively going to share this everywhere. Greetings from Guatemala.

[runstreetsofvegas]

By far one of the best how to on YouTube for a diy pcb. I've watched this a few times. Dude! You make it look easy!

[williammccarthy]

A student of mine, Greg Smith, got me interested in electronics around 40 years ago. Haven't done much since then but now I am retired with a great hobby. After watching your video I am ready to try PCB making. Thanks for a great introduction.

[nigelwilliams]

Nice job sir! I've just made a couple of small nameplates this way onto bits of pre-painted wood. Works wonderfully and gives a very solid clear print finish. Opened up a new world of fun projects. Thanks.

[grahameskate]

Tried this this afternoon, on a piece of scrap board with 0603 smd components. The results where perfect first time. Very professional looking board that worked first time.
Thank you for sharing this method its now my preferred method of prototyping.

[gordonyoud]

I have spent years making pcbs by the old heat transfer method and you have just brightened my life. 😎✔❤😍

[jasonschreiber]

Brilliant method. I was not going to do any proto PCBs until I saw your vid. Thank you for taking the time to edit and shoot this instructional.

[sanjibroychowdhury]

This is a super easy method for super professional pcb etching! Thanks a lot. I regret that I never came across this video earlier.

[JumbleLane]

Going back in years before pc’s and home printers I used to draw out the track with nail varnish, quite crude but either on very simple pre-IC circuits. Definitely will try this method now I have all tech in hand. Thanks for sharing

[rel]

Dear Sir, I don’t know how to thank you for sharing this method which is much better than transferring the toner with a hot iron. It’s not giving good results and sometimes the heat causes the copper layer to separate from the plastic. I followed your method using acetone instead of that polish remover I couldn’t fine here. It gave the same result. Just brilliant. Thanks again my friend. ☺

[ilyap]

Great job Gareth!
I’m really impressed with the resultant quality and simplicity of your method.
I guess it would become my favorite one.
Greetings from Russia )