Homebrew PCBs

In a message dated 10/16/2005 5:41:58 P.M. Central Daylight Time,  
lcdpublishing@... writes:

So, if  you all don't mind, can we discuss the merits of the various  
materials?<<



Chris:  
 
I use ONLY FR-4 (green fiber-glass epoxy impregnated).   Reason: It is THROWN 
away by the local PCB house when 4" or less (usually 4.5"  or less!).  A 
stack of 2" of that waste will last me years!  It WILL  nupper a bandsaw blade 
rapidly, but if you have to cut more than one or two, it  is worth the sacrifice. 
 Then I always disk-sand the edges before  attempting to etc.  Carbide 
router-bits for odd shapes or "square holes",  etc.  I can't even FIND phenolic 
("Bakelite") copper-clad!  I use ONLY  "PCB drill-bits" which are solid-carbide 
with 1/8" dia. shank, regardless of  drill-size.  These are available in various 
commonly-used diameters from  the usual mail-order vendors in standard boxes 
of 50 for about half or less the  usual "new price" of about $2.00 per bit.  I 
have a little home-brew CNC  X-Y drill (resting, now, until I can get a "PC" 
connected to it, as its  "master", a 1978 "PET" died a year back, and, well . 
. .).  
 
ONE caveat:  The "professional" stuff is usually only 1/2  oz. copper, as it 
is ALWAYS used for plated-through hole work, and that  increases the copper to 
1 oz. or more.  But if you work carefully, you can  "live with it" for the 
PRICE of the stuff!  
 
I just wish it were EASY to plate-through!  I'd MUCH  rather be able to do 
that than to use "jumpers" and "soldered-in vias"  etc.  BOO  HOO ! ! !
 
ONE thing about FR-4:  It is THE industry-standard, and  GOOD stuff!
 
Jan Rowland


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