Homebrew PCBs

> Alan wrote:
> <snip>
> Why drill anyway?

Even if I am doing a board with only SM
components I often have too drill many
holes (vias).  As soon as things get
much more complex than some kind of
oscillator flashing some leds - you
need (or should) go 2 sided.

As more and more chips are comming out
in only leadless packages with a GND
bump underneath - we have no choice in
at least going 2 layer for our hobby
stuff.

This of course is straying away from
the original question of "why EDM".
You wont be able to EDM and drill holes
at the same time if you are going to be
plating through anyhoes.

GOD there is another thing on my list
"to do"... a plating through system.

I will never rest :(


BTW - I have no objections to drilling
boards by hand anyways.  So I am not
the best qualified to join in any
debates about how to avoid doing them.

I do think my attitude to hole drilling
changed when I got a Sakai MDH-1 drill
press - if anyone is looking for a great
tiny drill press - I highly recomend
the Sakai.  Champion little unit.  
Carbide drill bits under 1/2 a
millimeter and the big stack of broken
ones are all my fault not its.