Homebrew PCBs

nice example of a pivoting drill press, i would prefer it over a dremel  
stand any day for PCBs.

I'm amazed you can hand-drill with carbide, even 0.85, and get any  
significant mileage out of it, you must have a very steady hand. Ever  
thought of learning how to tinker with peoples internal workings? I gather  
those doctors get neat pay out of it ;-)

One thing i found very useful on my pivoting press is a screw as a stop  
very close to the drill bit. This will help hold down the board in the  
critical moment when the drill breaks through - has saved me a few drills  
already.
The foot activation seems neat, righ now i have mine balanced with a  
counterweight and use the back of my hand to lift it, so i can use all  
fingers to help positioning the PCB.

ST


On Mon, 12 Dec 2005 18:13:29 +0100, Chris Horne <chris@...> wrote:

> Several people have mentioned drill presses lately...
>
> Just thought I would share one of mine..
>
> I use a hand mini drill and judge theholes by eye, using 0.85 mm
> carbide bits at about 10,000 rpm.  I think I tend to breal about 1
> bit in every 5,000 holes.
>
> However, I have a CNC micro mill that I can use for drilling,  scan
> the actual circuit board and software does the rest..  that uses the
> same 0.85mm carbide bits at around 30,000 rpm
>
> Finally my wife wanted to do some drilling but was unable to hold
> the drill steady enough so I threw together this little press in
> about an hour...
>
> Its in the photos section under Spiyda
>
> http://photos.groups.yahoo.com/group/homebrew_pcbs/lst?.dir=/Spiyda
>
> The main features of note are ...  it cost less than $3 (+ the drill)
>
> It is foot operated and adjustable (the black cable is tied above
> the top board and has a terminal block under the second board.. the
> cable then continus to the floor, where it is tied 2" above the
> floor to a 2" x 1")
>
> There is an old valve spring between the boards to push the drill
> back up...
>
> The hinge is a bit of old piano hinge but anything would do.
>
> The boards are about third or fourth hand..  they have previously
> been used a s a drawing board, a microwave support and a cutting
> board.
>
> The weird thing about this drill press is that it actually works
> quite well.
>
> It is more accurate than by hand and as it is foot operated, you
> have two hands free for the board !
>
> Chris
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and  
> Photos:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs
>
> If Files or Photos are running short of space, post them here:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs_Archives/
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
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