Just a footnote ...
Having posted some pics of my hand drilling jig/aid thingy I decided to update it a bit with some improvements I've been meaning to make for the last several years ! (my normal motto is, "if its not broke, don't fix it"!.. but the proxxon drill finally died, so I took that as an excuse)
a) changed the counterweight to a solid steel weight instead of a plastic pot of old nuts and bolts..
b) fitted a new proxxon IBS/E drill as the old IB/E had given up the ghost
c) lengthened the support rod to (successfully) reduce the small oscillations at the drill tip
d) added an LED light to the side of the drill (6 x 0.5Watt White LEDs.. a bit heath robinson but I had the parts to hand)
e) instead of drilling and tapping a hole in the proxxon casting to fix, since the new one is under warranty, used a cable tie to mount it
The result is that it is now faster, easier to hit the precise centre of the etched hole.. and I can drill more holes before my 57 year old eyes get tired ..
I managed about 1500 holes in one half hour sitting this afternoon before my eyes got tired..
a couple of pics in the photos spiyda folder
Chris
--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Rick Sparber" wrote:
>
> Chris,
>
> Yes, the second picture really helps.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Rick
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com]
> On Behalf Of chris
> Sent: Sunday, January 13, 2013 7:02 PM
> To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: What size drill bits?
>
> Sorry second pic added..
>
> in photos ... spiyda drill2
>
> it just hangs like a plumb bob
>
> Chris
>
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Jeff Heiss" wrote:
> >
> > I would like to understand your setup but I am confused too. I viewed
> > the picture. Is the drill/pole on a slide? Or is it just hanging
> > from the pulley like a plumb bob?
> >
> >
> >
> > Jeff
> >
> >
> >
> > _____
> >
> > From: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
> > [mailto:Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com]
> > On Behalf Of chris
> > Sent: Sunday, January 13, 2013 9:32 AM
> > To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
> > Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: What size drill bits?
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Rick,
> >
> > there is a rope (or string really.. I use light switch pull cord) the
> > string goes from the counterweight (which is an old pill container
> > with nuts and bolts in it), over the pulley and down to the aluminium
> pole..
> >
> > the pole is about 3 feet long with the proxxon frmly fixed to the
> > end.. The way I have it rigged, there is 2 foot clear of string
> > between the pulley and the top of the pole
> >
> > the role of the pole (rhyme :-) ) is partly to damp oscillation..
> > I started with about a foot long and quickly realised in needed to be
> > longer, the aluminium pole was just a bit of scrap from under the
> > bench
> >
> > In retrospect, the pole needs to be as long as possible without
> > fouling on the pulley.. but what I put together works so I'm loath to
> fiddle with it..
> >
> > An old fishing pole would probably be ideal..
> >
> > I've put a picture in the photos spiyda drill
> >
> > Chris
> >
> > --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
> > , "Rick Sparber" wrote:
> > >
> > > Chris,
> > >
> > > Elegantly simple! You get a very clear view of the place to be
> > > drilled and quick action.
> > >
> > > I sounds like it doesn't take long to develop the skill to make this
> work.
> > I
> > > have plenty of 0.75 mm drills to learn on ;-)
> > >
> > > I'm confused about the pulley's role. Is the 3' rod resting on the
> > > pulley
> > or
> > > is there a rope attached to the pulley that supports the rod?
> > >
> > > Rick
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
> >
> > [mailto:Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
> > ]
> > > On Behalf Of chris
> > > Sent: Sunday, January 13, 2013 7:00 AM
> > > To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
> >
> > > Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: What size drill bits?
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
> > , Mitch Davis wrote:
> > > >
> > > > On Sun, Jan 13, 2013 at 10:59 AM, thb201 wrote:
> > > > > I was looking to get some drill bits but I only want to get just
> > > > >a few sizes, especially if I spring for the more expensive carbide
> types.
> > > >
> > > > Carbide bits stay sharp for a long time, but they are amazingly
> > > > brittle. The slightest sideways movement and ∗ping∗, they're gone.
> > > > It's not realistic to use them with something you hold in your hand.
> > > > I have used a normal drill press with good results.
> > > >
> > > > Mitch.
> > > >
> > >
> > > I use 0.8mm carbide bits in a hand held proxxon
> > >
> > > I can usually manage a few thousand holes before the drill breaks..
> > >
> > > My wife usually breaks the drill withing the first dozen holes or so..
> > >
> > > I have been through several methods of drilling, including a
> > > commercial drill press, a home made foot operated drill press, a CNC
> > > drilling machine and ended up with the following
> > >
> > > a pulley at ceiling height
> > >
> > > a proxxon hand held drill fittted to about a 3 foot aluminium pole
> > >
> > > the pole is suspended from the pulley with a counterweight giving it
> > > slightly negative weight so that when you let go it goes upward,
> > > away from the board
> > >
> > > the very end part of the proxxon has a rubber grommet fitted.. and
> > > it it this that is held lightly between finger and thumb..
> > >
> > > this setup keeps the holes vertical and reduces hand and arm strain..
> > >
> > > using this, my wife can drill almost as many holes as I can before
> > breaking
> > > the bit..
> > >
> > > I manage about 2 holes a second when they are close together..
> > > with an average of about 1 per second over a longer period
> > >
> > > thats a fair bit faster than my CNC machine can do.. when things
> > > like clamping and regictration are included.
> > >
> > > Chris
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ------------------------------------
> > >
> > > Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and
> > Photos:
> > > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and Photos:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links
>