Hi Bob
Welcome to the group if i am allowed to say that (thanks steve ;-))
What do you mean with "not in very good alignment"?
do you mean you can't hit the center of the pad?
or do you mean they are not vertical, or do you mean that the holes don't
meet the pad
in the center on the solder side while they are centered on the top?
I guess the first point is the one you mean?
In most PCB Design programs there is the option "keep drill holes open"
when printing.
this makes you a nice copper-free spot in the center of the pad.
when you apply the drill (even by hand) it slides automaticaly in this gap
of the copper.
like if you use a center punch when drilling metal (which is an option too
to make on copper boards).
sometimes this "open holes" can be "botched together" with a seperate
layer, normally used for drill plans.
this fully depends on the software you use (please state).
to number 2 (vias) i only want to say that there i know the following
methods:
a) use component legs and solder top and bottom
b) use small wires
c) use small pyramid shaped pins which are stuck in and soldered
d) use small rivets sold for this purpose (leaves hole open for leg)
e) use chemical through plating
f) use only one layer.. most time this IS possible with using much brain
and maybe 2 or three wires (i actually nearly never use wires but much,
much brain and time)
g) use the things i forgot to list here ;-)
if you need information on this please always first ask google and search
in this groups archives.
at least some minutes of your own research you should spend before you ask
(answering takes time....).
but if you find nothing or need additional information you are very welcome
to ask for it!
(you know it can get boring to explain things over and over again if they
are in the archives.....)
i also write this because most of the possible methods listed above were
discussed since i joined the group and
can be found in the archives....
i just see markus was a bit faster in answering ;-) (by the way he has a
chemical through plating station built)
i think you should get/make a drill stand, if not cnc a pivoting one like
discussed may be fine for you.
which spindle and which drill bits do you use currently?
which clad type? fr4 or paper/resin?
not very skilled in hardware.... what can you do?
which tools are available? (i guess no big machines like mill/ lathe...)
but angle grinder, metal saw, drill (maybe drill stand)?
what's about welding? tools for cutting threads?
if you really want to make a cnc yourself (no kit) you need to cut these
things and therefore you need to use some tools.
if they are not available it may be better to buy a kit or maybe don't go
for cnc...
where do you live?
(you can't compensate much hardware with the software, the hardware is as
simple as possible i guess...
but maybe if one designs a machine he could give you detailed
instructions/plans if some software is needed you provide it later then)
you have to think about the cnc thing, it may be nice, but if it takes more
time constructing than drilling all by hand it
is not very effective i think..
so please feel free to come up with some details and plans for the future
maybe (how much pcbs you want to make and
how serious your equipment needs to be...)
On Thu, 31 Jul 2003 08:47:03 -0700, Bob Roan <bob@...> wrote:
> I am trying to make my own PCB boards and have identified at least (!)
> two areas where I need help.
> #1 - When I held the drill in my hand to drill the holes, they weren't
> in very good alignment (probably an understatement.)
> #2 - When I try a two sided board, I will have to connect the circuits
> on the two sides with what I think are called vias.
> I'm willing to spend some money (under $200) would be nice on equipment
> to help me in these areas. I particularly like the idea of cnc, if I'm
> correct that it would automatically position the drill, but I am not
> very skilled at designing and assembling hardware. But I might be able
> to do something simple. I'm a pretty good programmer, so I might be
> able to compensate on the software side for these shortcomings.
> any suggestions?
> thanks
> bob
>
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