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Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] What size drill bits ?

From: DJ Delorie <dj@...>
Date: 2014-09-15

I have a box each of 13, 26, 35, and 43 mil (I think those are the right
numbers) carbide PCB drills. That plus a set of standard twist-drills
in letter/number/fraction sizes for weird holes.

The 13s are for vias (28 gauge brass wire is perfect for hand-soldering
these)

The 26s are for small parts (1/4w resistors, through-hole ICs, etc)

The 35s are for larger parts and sockets

The 43s are for soldering wires to the board (22ga etc).

As for drilling, I use a dremel on a custom stand for small boards:
http://www.delorie.com/pcb/dremel-stand/
or my CNC machine for big ones:
http://www.delorie.com/photos/cnc/