>I originally bought a Dremel, but it was so out of round, that
>the tip of the drill looked blurry when it was running. Well that
>just confirms you get what you pay for. The Dremal used cheap
>aluminium collets, because that's all what's needed for the
>indented purpose. The industrial die grinders, such as BOSCH
>GSS27 have hardened steel ground collets. The collets are
>constructed so they always seat precisely in position when
>tightened up. Another compact straight die grinder is the Matabo
>G500, but not sure of prices. The GSS27 cost me Australian $240 I
>think. So probably around $120 USD. It was my uncle who
>recommended the BOSCH grinder as a PCB drill, he has owned one of
>these for 20 years. So it should last me for ever and a day. Of
>course I can take it out of the drill press and use it as a die
>grinder if I every need too.
>
>Funny thing was that one day I visited this PCB manufacture who
>specialized in prototypes and small runs. At the corner of the
>shop I saw one of these GSS27 laying on the bench, and so I
>started talking to the owner about it. It turns out they use the
>exact same drill motor in their manual drilling machines as I had
>used.
How about the Proxxon tools? I find them quite handy for various tasks
when it comes to Homebrew PCBs'
http://www.proxxon.com/ lists the products available. I'm using the
Drillstand MB 140/S to drill the holes, and the "Bench Circular Saw KS
230" to cut FR4 materials. There you need the "Solid carbide saw
blade" of course but using this one cutting FR4 becomes fun.
So far I'm quie happy with these but since I'm not that long in the
business I would apreciate feedback from this list with regard to
these.
Markus