On 10/8/2011 3:52 PM, DougC wrote:
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I also have to buy a home-PC printer for this. I had assumed it'd be an
inkjet, as they print on the widest variety of materials. The higher
cost-per-page of an inkjet is not really a concern here. If there's a
better method involving a laser printer instead feel free to say.

I use my HP laser printer to make printed cutout patterns on balsa
sheets for my little airplane projects. The latest cook-up is for
rubber powered jets. A few of the guys are actually building rubber
powered fan jets (!) but I copped out with a replaceable nose plug, one
with a prop, one for show, on my peanut (13" wingspan) 707.

While working up the plans for that and a Constellation, I found that
the toner on a printed page transfers very nicely with acetone or
lacquer thinner. At least to balsa sheet.
I just taped it down so it couldn't move and do a quick wet wipe.

No idea how that would work on acetal. But if it can stand up to a short
exposure to solvents, it's not hard to test.

I had also read that an iron could transfer inkjet ink somewhat off a
regular printed page onto other materials--but the ironing time was a
big long--5-7 minutes--and I think the acetal itself would be at risk
for damage from that.


I've done the ironing transfer also, but solvent trick works a lot better...

Wiki said...
Solvent welding is typically unsuccessful on acetal polymers, due to the
excellent solvent resistance of acetal. Thermal welding through various
methods has been used successfully on both homopolymer and copolymer.

Try the acetone transfer trick on a small piece.
If that works well you worst problem will be making sure the transfer
page doesn't move. But if it blurs or smudges, an acetone wipe will
clean it off and try again.