Hi Sam,
It sounds like you're describing CEM-1. This is a paper epoxy
material that's not suitable for THP (Through Hole Plating), so
you'll only find it in single sided. A common thickness is 0.0625.
The preferred way to cut PCB material is with a shear. When I cut
CEM-1, I don't get the smooth edges you're looking for.
If you're in the US, I can cut material for you as long as it's
under 8" wide. You'll have to dress the edges...
CEM-1 material is cheaper than FR-4. I buy most of my material from
Bill; he sells on eBay as abcfab. If you do an off eBay
transaction, give me the referral.
HTH,
Dennis
--- In
Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Sam & Paige Fell"
<spfell@...> wrote:
>
> 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
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>