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Subject: RE: [Homebrew_PCBs] Drilling

From: "Jim Barnes" <jim@...>
Date: 2010-02-01

Hi,



This discussion is immediately interesting. I'm at the stage where I
need a drill press for PCBs. Because I'm already heavily invested in the
Dremel system, I was about to buy the Dremel drill press to use with my
XPR tool. I looked at the Proxxon system. It's nice and may be better,
but I do NOT need (and can't afford) yet another tool system!



Can someone tell me more details of the problems alluded to with the
Dremel? Can they be fixed with a little machining to tighten tolerances?
(I did that with their routing table.) Would just taking extra care be a
workaround? Or, is Dremel a totally lost cause for PCBs?



Jim



From: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of James
Sent: Sunday, January 31, 2010 11:45 AM
To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Drilling





So what do you guys use for drilling boards? I have a cheap drill press
which is barely adequate for occasional drilling, but there's enough
slop in the quill that it's extremely difficult not to snap off <1mm
bits. I've had the best results using the manual mill at a friend's
machine shop but it seems silly to use a 3HP spindle to turn a .85mm
bit. I almost bought one of those little Dremel stands since I have a
couple of the rotary tools but I've heard they are flimsy and don't work
well. Is there a good low cost option or am I best off just building
something myself?





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