cheap PCB''s revisited
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Posts: 46,084
Hello,
Glad you like the idea. I've been doing this for
almost a decade with great results. I've uploaded some
pictures of finished boards in the "Post" section of
the Stamp group page.
I typically use either a #112 or #9901
engraving/cutter bit (circular w/squared end) and hold
the Dremel tool at about a 90 degree angle to the
board while making the cuts. This seems to make a nice
"V" groove in the copper and the width of the groove
can be varied with depth. It takes some practice to
get comfortable with cutting traces for DIP ICs, but
the beauty is that the PCB material is cheap and the
work is quick. Experiment with some bits, but you may
find the above to work well. If you find a better
method, please let me know.
As always, use caution while doing this and wear
appropriate protection. Another writer was correct
about copper and fiberglass in the lungs. A simple
filter mask works well along with ventilation. Eye
and ear protection is also a must, along with a clean
working surface. I also reccomend taking a break about
every three minutes as the vibration takes its toll on
your tendons and may leave your hand "buzzing" for a
while.
Enjoy!
Dr. Diode
--- jrem123 <jrem123@y...> wrote:
> okay, who ever came up with the 'carbide tool in a
> dremel to cut in
> circuit board lines' should take a bow. I tried
> that today, and it
> works slick. Basically, I just cut in the
> insulation, so there are
> big 'pads' instead of traces. My carbide tool is
> not a pointed tip,
> that might help. Cutting around the dip pins is
> tough, and next time
> I'll do it outside.
>
> Oh, I first drilled with a center drill that I
> chucked and ground so
> the lead was longer, about 0.100" long instead of
> about 0.0625"
> long. High speed steel, the center drill provides
> rigidity vs a
> regular drill bit. Works great. Dremel's rock.
>
> On another note, I went to the Dayton Hamvention
> today. Not worth
> the $22 admission IMO. No decent deals as in past
> years. Sorry I
> missed Mr. Williams (I believe he was going to be
> there . . . ), but
> it looked like lots of folks pulled out early due to
> inclimate
> weather.
>
>
> To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
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> from the same email address that you subscribed.
> Text in the Subject and Body of the message will be
> ignored.
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
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Glad you like the idea. I've been doing this for
almost a decade with great results. I've uploaded some
pictures of finished boards in the "Post" section of
the Stamp group page.
I typically use either a #112 or #9901
engraving/cutter bit (circular w/squared end) and hold
the Dremel tool at about a 90 degree angle to the
board while making the cuts. This seems to make a nice
"V" groove in the copper and the width of the groove
can be varied with depth. It takes some practice to
get comfortable with cutting traces for DIP ICs, but
the beauty is that the PCB material is cheap and the
work is quick. Experiment with some bits, but you may
find the above to work well. If you find a better
method, please let me know.
As always, use caution while doing this and wear
appropriate protection. Another writer was correct
about copper and fiberglass in the lungs. A simple
filter mask works well along with ventilation. Eye
and ear protection is also a must, along with a clean
working surface. I also reccomend taking a break about
every three minutes as the vibration takes its toll on
your tendons and may leave your hand "buzzing" for a
while.
Enjoy!
Dr. Diode
--- jrem123 <jrem123@y...> wrote:
> okay, who ever came up with the 'carbide tool in a
> dremel to cut in
> circuit board lines' should take a bow. I tried
> that today, and it
> works slick. Basically, I just cut in the
> insulation, so there are
> big 'pads' instead of traces. My carbide tool is
> not a pointed tip,
> that might help. Cutting around the dip pins is
> tough, and next time
> I'll do it outside.
>
> Oh, I first drilled with a center drill that I
> chucked and ground so
> the lead was longer, about 0.100" long instead of
> about 0.0625"
> long. High speed steel, the center drill provides
> rigidity vs a
> regular drill bit. Works great. Dremel's rock.
>
> On another note, I went to the Dayton Hamvention
> today. Not worth
> the $22 admission IMO. No decent deals as in past
> years. Sorry I
> missed Mr. Williams (I believe he was going to be
> there . . . ), but
> it looked like lots of folks pulled out early due to
> inclimate
> weather.
>
>
> To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
> basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> from the same email address that you subscribed.
> Text in the Subject and Body of the message will be
> ignored.
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
The New Yahoo! Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo.
http://search.yahoo.com