[sdiy] Using a metal shear to cut FR4/PCBs

[Matthew Smith]

Quoth Justin Owen at 2009-01-05 04:50...
> Has anyone ever used a metal shear like the one below to cut FR4/PCB material?
> 
> <http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/cps150-metal-shears/path/metal-cutters-shears-folders-formers>

This is very similar to what I use for cutting unexposed 
photoresist-coated FR4 stock.

I have found that it makes a clean cut but can crack the photoresist. 
To get around this issue, I mark the film covering the photoresist 
either side of the line on which I want to cut, then slice along those 
lines with a Stanley knife - deep enough to get into the copper.  This 
seems to stop the cracking spreading into the wanted area when making 
the guillotine cut.

Cheers

M

-- 
Matthew Smith
Smiffytech - Technology Consulting & Web Application Development
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