Archive of the former Yahoo!Groups mailing list: Homebrew PCBs

Thanks Leon.



I'm new to PC board talk .is CEM -1 a resin/paper composite .or something
similar. I don't believe I want stranded fiberglass filler. I'm actually
going to cut into thin (1/8" or so) strips and then cross cut to use as
intermediate cross ties to facilitate hand laying model railroad track (rail
would be soldered to a PC board crosstie every six inches or so). The
remaining ties would be wood. After painting and weathering, the PC ties
blend in with the remaining scenery.



I've currently got some strip that was cut, maybe sheared, by someone else
and the edges are not very clean. Under magnification it is definitely some
kind of stranded (I assumed fiberglass) laminate. I have some precut PC
ties that another supplier provided and it has very smooth white edges. I
assume it was machine cut with a diamond wet saw or something. Anyway, I
was hoping to learn what that substrate is (CEM-1, FR4, etc.) .maybe someone
on this list can set me straight. I'm trying to learn as I'd like to be
able to cut my own and want to purchase the right stock when I do. I'll
post a pic in the photo section under "Sam's track" so maybe someone can
identify visually.



Anyway, hope my use of the material is not considered heresy by the group .I
see it as creating more demand to keep prices down! :-)



BTW - We model rails do occasionally come up with some electronic circuitry
to control our trains, crossing signals, and other related electronic items
that require custom etched boards and do dabble in this from time to time as
well.



Thanks again for any and all help!



Sam



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