Homebrew PCBs

I too use the Dremel tool with the Dremel Drill Press. I have had very
good luck and have drilled a lot of holes with the same bit. There is
3 piece chuck set for using it as a drill.  I also have an aquarium
bubbler that I am going to use to blow the dust away from the holes
just drilled.


--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "jerrytr2.com" <jerry@...> wrote:
>
> Hello,
> 
>     My name is Jerry Kaidor.   I've been messing with electronics for 
> many many years.  Also put in a 20-year stint as a firmware developer.
> 
>    The other day, I was doing a project with a PIC16F867A 
> microcontroller.  Built up the circuit on one of those proto boards 
> that have a grid of three-hole lands.  The resulting forest of little 
> green wires did not inspire confidence.  Neither did the smoke that 
> came out when I powered it up :).
> 
>    So I decided that a PCB would be more appropriate.  Found this 
> group, read with interest about Toner Transfer.  I had tried this 
> about 10 years ago, it didn't work at that time.  Like many things, 
> the devil is in the details.
> 
>    This time, armed with better info, I downloaded the expressPCB 
> software ( can't beat the price! ).  I designed a one-sided board for 
> my project and printed it onto a sheet of Epson photo paper that I 
> had laying around.  Found a gungy old piece of copper clad in the 
> garage, spent about a half hour cleaning it off with 000 steel wool, 
> paper towels, lacquer thinner, more paper towels, cosmetics buffs, 
> etc etc.   Transferred the printout with my wife's clothes iron.  
> Wow!  It came out perfect!
> 
>    The only problem ( and I realized this unfortunately when it was 
> already mostly etched ) was that it was mirror imaged.  I had used a 
> function in my printer setup that causes the printer to print mirror-
> imaged - but apparently it wasn't needed.  Grrr!  OK, I'd just
> solder all the parts on the top :).  Or just do it again...
> 
>    To play with the process, I started drilling holes.  Hit a snag.  
> My smallest "ordinary" drill bit was a #60.  It was just too big.  I 
> also had some little tiny PCB drills that I got at the ham swap some 
> years ago.  Too small!  (.8mm, I think )Also, chucked in my giant 
> tabletop drill press, the tiny bit only lasted three holes before 
> breaking.
> 
>    So - how does one drill these holes?  I'll pick up an assortment 
> of PCB drill bits today, but I don't think my giant drill press is 
> going to work.  Alternatives I see:
> 
>    * Jameco lists a little drill and press for about $60.
>    * There is a Dremel drill press accessory for about $50.
>    * I have a Sherline milling machine.  Sherline lists a "sensitive
>      drilling attachment" that chucks into the mill.  Basically, 
>      the mill only drives and holds the attachment - you move it up  
> and down via a knurled ring.  This really looks like a hot setup, but
> it's not cheap - $110.
> 
>                          - Jerry Kaidor
>