Homebrew PCBs

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "alan00463" <alan00463@y...> wrote:
>
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "kilocycles" <kilocycles@y...>
> wrote:
> >
> > Alan,
> > Now that you mention it, I have a saw table I haven't used in years
> > that mounts a regular 7 - 7/14-in circular saw.  The carbide blades
> > for those saws are pretty thick, since their application is not
> > usually fine finish work, but I haven't investigated diamond blades. 
> > The diamond-edge tile saws are made to cut ceramic material, so I
> > figure they'll do pretty well on fiberglass-epoxy.
---snip---
> > Ted
> 
> Yes, that would work fine, I'd think.   How about the score-n-snap
> method, i.e. score with a razor-knife and a metal straitedge, then
> snap it on the edge of a table ?   
> 
> Has anybody been successful using this technique on fiberglass-epoxy?
> 
> I always like to try the simplest way first.
> 
> Alan
>

Well, some of the stuff I do falls under the "Homebrew_PCBs" topic,
but it's not related to printing and etching.  For example, I need to
make four 2 x 8 inch pieces, with two 2 x 2 pieces for the ends, of
double-sided board to make a box for resistive decade box, soldering
the box edges.  So, I need to be pretty accurate with my edges.  I've
made some small boxes using sheet metal shears.  I really don't know
if I can score and snap a good edge with double-sided FR4 epoxy board.

I recently made a smaller box for an RF filter of the same form factor
out of precut brass sheets from Ace Hardware, but it's more difficult
to solder, and it turned out...well, butt-ugly!  They also carry thin
brass angle stock, so maybe I'll just use screws instead of solering
the edges.

Long term, I do need the ability to cut PCB stock accurately, not only
for the boxes, but also to make my PCBs a bit more square than I've
been able to do with the shears.  I also have a combo router
table-sabre saw table I haven't used in awhile, and it has a sliding
push-guide.  If one of the fine-tooth sabre saw blades can do the
double-sided copper without ripping it up along the edges, that will
be good.  I'll try that first and report back to the group.

Cheers,
Ted