--- In
Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Chuck" <c.knight@...> wrote:
>
> I just made my very first PCB at home!!! Hooray!
>
> http://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-to-build-CNC-Mill-Stepper-Motor-and-Driver-ci/
> I made the "Easy Stepper" board from Instructables, and could not easily get etchant out where I live, so I used the toilet bowl cleaner/peroxide mix. Worked quite well, actually.
Neat! I've heard a couple of people say they had problems with that etchant... would you be willing to share the brand of cleaner and the strength of the peroxide and what ration you mixed them? I'd like to document that on the site at:
http://techref.massmind.org/techref/pcbetch.htmall credit to you of course.
> And, I did it as LASER toner transfer, using magazine paper. Talk about low tech!
>
> Apparently it really ∗is∗ possible to make boards, at home, and affordably. Next step is going to be drilling them out.
>
> I have 1/16" drill bits that would fit my drill press, or my Dremel...and I have a 0.7mm solid carbide bit that fits either as well. My concern is runout and precision...carbide is very VERY brittle, and I have only one bit.
>
> Any hints for a first timer?
>
> THANKS!
>
> Chuck
It's just about impossible to hold one of those steady by hand, in my experience. It does ok going in, but then I always break them once the bit is through or when trying to back it out. I use a cheap small drill press (horrible runout) with long flexible drill bits (not carbide) which I sharpen and replace often. I also don't do many boards. Carbide would last longer, but are so brittle.
Many people have reported good success with a home built "drill press" made from a few scraps of plywood or other thin bits which are hinged together or just long and thin enough to bend in a pantograph arrangement to keep the dremel stable and vertical. There is a (very) crude drawing at:
http://techref.massmind.org/techref/pcbholes.htmwhich should make it clear. BTW: If anyone has a better picture or drawing, I'd love to replace that one!
In the end, expect a broken bit or two... order spares, they aren't expensive.
--
James.