I printed a mirror image of the circuit on old sticker paper, a common trick for homemade circuits since toner will stick to it, but it sticks to copper even better. I printed twenty on one sheet, but only four were usable. Most copies were faint, but some had wispy strands of toner residue. I checked my print orientation against the MDBT50Q-1MV2 and the size and spacing of the data port pads. Everything looked correct.
The usual way people do this is to trim the paper to the size of the circuit board, run a clothes iron across the paper until the toner melts, then remove the paper, leaving the toner to stick to the copper board. I did not have a clothes iron, so I placed the copper board on my glass-top range to heat up, then placed the paper and held it down with a piece of stiff cardboard. It took five attempts to get the heat, timing, and removal to work. The best result was to heat the board on medium for at least 30 seconds, place the printed pattern on it, press it firmly for 15 seconds, then run hot water over the paper. The running water will soften the paper, which wants to curl, and dissolve it so it can be removed cleanly. After each failed attempt, I used a scrubber and soap to remove the toner and residue. There was a small piece that did not adhere well, but I covered it with a line from a black Sharpie.
The rest of the posts for this project have been arranged by date.
First time here?
Completed projects from year 1
Completed projects from year 2
Completed projects from year 3
Completed projects from year 4
Completed projects from year 5
Completed projects from year 6
Completed projects from year 7
Completed projects from year 8
Completed projects from year 9
Completed projects from year 10
Completed projects from year 11
Completed projects from year 12
Disclaimer for http://24hourengineer.blogspot.com and 24HourEngineer.com
This disclaimer must be intact and whole. This disclaimer must be included if a project is distributed.
All information on this blog, or linked by this blog, is not to be taken as advice or solicitation. Anyone attempting to replicate, in whole or in part, is responsible for the outcome and procedure. Any loss of functionality, money, property, or similar, is the responsibility of those involved in the replication.
All digital communication regarding the email address 24hourengineer@gmail.com becomes the intellectual property of Brian McEvoy. Any information contained within these messages may be distributed or retained at the discretion of Brian McEvoy. Any email sent to this address, or any email account owned by Brian McEvoy, cannot be used to claim property or assets.
Comments to the blog may be utilized or erased at the discretion of the owner. No one posting may claim property or assets based on their post.
This blog, including pictures and text, is copyright to Brian McEvoy.
2026-06-23
The usual way people do this is to trim the paper to the size of the circuit board, run a clothes iron across the paper until the toner melts, then remove the paper, leaving the toner to stick to the copper board. I did not have a clothes iron, so I placed the copper board on my glass-top range to heat up, then placed the paper and held it down with a piece of stiff cardboard. It took five attempts to get the heat, timing, and removal to work. The best result was to heat the board on medium for at least 30 seconds, place the printed pattern on it, press it firmly for 15 seconds, then run hot water over the paper. The running water will soften the paper, which wants to curl, and dissolve it so it can be removed cleanly. After each failed attempt, I used a scrubber and soap to remove the toner and residue. There was a small piece that did not adhere well, but I covered it with a line from a black Sharpie.
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| One usable circuit on the left |
The rest of the posts for this project have been arranged by date.
First time here?
Completed projects from year 1
Completed projects from year 2
Completed projects from year 3
Completed projects from year 4
Completed projects from year 5
Completed projects from year 6
Completed projects from year 7
Completed projects from year 8
Completed projects from year 9
Completed projects from year 10
Completed projects from year 11
Completed projects from year 12
Disclaimer for http://24hourengineer.blogspot.com and 24HourEngineer.com
This disclaimer must be intact and whole. This disclaimer must be included if a project is distributed.
All information on this blog, or linked by this blog, is not to be taken as advice or solicitation. Anyone attempting to replicate, in whole or in part, is responsible for the outcome and procedure. Any loss of functionality, money, property, or similar, is the responsibility of those involved in the replication.
All digital communication regarding the email address 24hourengineer@gmail.com becomes the intellectual property of Brian McEvoy. Any information contained within these messages may be distributed or retained at the discretion of Brian McEvoy. Any email sent to this address, or any email account owned by Brian McEvoy, cannot be used to claim property or assets.
Comments to the blog may be utilized or erased at the discretion of the owner. No one posting may claim property or assets based on their post.
This blog, including pictures and text, is copyright to Brian McEvoy.
2026-06-23
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