Homebrew PCBs

Kim doesn't want the machine because the Z axis is solenoid 
controlled (not motorized), so it is still available. Anyone who 
wants it please contact me privately.

Mark

  mlerman@...




At 10:58 PM 3/18/2010, you wrote:
>Damn,
>
>Not quite fast enough!
>
>Mat
>
>--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Mark Lerman <mlerman@...> wrote:
> >
> > I realize that this is not a commercial group, so I hope the
> > following is not a violation of policy. I have an old T-Tech Quick
> > Circuit that I will never use again, including the isolation software
> > and dongle. I used it to get my feet wet in cnc milling, but wasn't
> > really happy with it. If anyone wants it I would be willing to let it
> > go to someone on this group for a very reasonable price, especially
> > if you could pick it up. It works just fine, I have manuals and
> > controller. I paid (foolishly) about $2500 USD for it, then
> > compounded the problem by paying another $1,000 USD for the 
> isolation software.
> >
> > In the spirit of helping someone ON THIS GROUP, who will NOT RESELL
> > it, I will give it to the first person who carts it away for $500.
> > Anyone interested?
> >
> > Mark
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > At 12:30 PM 3/18/2010, you wrote:
> > >That depends on how much junk you have around and how valuable your time
> > >time is.  I built mine from an XY table my old boss gave me, a drawer
> > >slide with a Dremel attached with hose clamps, some surplus stepper
> > >motors and samples of Allegro driver chips.  I think the only cash
> > >outlay I made was an $8 laptop so I wouldn't have to use my good one.
> > >Of course, if I wanted to mill traces, the Z axis would have to be
> > >perpendicular to X and Y, which it is not.  And more software would need
> > >to be written.  But for now, it drills my holes and cuts out the board.
> > >Then I use toner transfer.
> > >
> > >Kerry
> > >
> > >sailingto wrote:
> > > > Thank you for the response Mark - what you are saying is one of
> > > the reasons I've been hesitate to invest much money/time in a
> > > homebrew CNC mill - concern it would not hold the tolerances
> > > required for good PCB milling.  Even a home built CNC can cost
> > > several hundred bucks!
> > > >
> > > > Maybe when I win the BIG lottery I'll buy the $9K CNC :)  (Folks
> > > keep telling me I must buy a ticket before I can possibly win:(
> > > >
> > > > Ken H.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Mark Lerman <mlerman@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > >> I've been milling boards for over a year. It works very well, though
> > > >> the learning curve is a little steeper than you might think. I use an
> > > >> AccurateCNC 360, which is good enough for 10 mil traces and can be
> > > >> used for even finer traces with some care. Double sided is easy,
> > > >> drilling is a snap, and being able to mill the edges of the board
> > > >> gives a very clean cut. I'm not sure whether a simple homemade mill
> > > >> would work as well, but over a smaller area it should work. The 360
> > > >> is about 9K (I think), very pricey for the hobbiest, but it can also
> > > >> be used for milling plastic and even non ferrous metals.  Support for
> > > >> this machine is unbelievably great!! The company goes way out of it's
> > > >> way to provide support and repairs, even out of  warrantee, and they
> > > >> reply to email extremely promptly. I blew the spindle driver while
> > > >> cutting plastic, and they replaced the driver with a newer one that
> > > >> won't blow at no charge. While they had the machine, they completely
> > > >> checked the calibration and added some hardware to make cutting
> > > >> plastic and softer materials much easier. Again at no charge.
> > > >>
> > > >> The usual disclaimer - I have no financial interest whatsoever in
> > > >> their company, just a very satisfied customer.
> > > >>
> > > >> Mark
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >> At 08:49 PM 3/17/2010, you wrote:
> > > >>
> > > >>> Well Mat - I was hoping someone would respond and get a discussion
> > > >>> going on CNC milling of PCB.  I have been reading about it and it
> > > >>> sure sounds slick - the videos look good.
> > > >>>
> > > >>> Double sided should be a snap.  Drill holes are automated.
> > > >>>
> > > >>> It all "sounds" good, but like you I'd like to know more.
> > > >>>
> > > >>> Ken H.
> > > >>>
> > > >>> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "mat_henshall" <mat@> wrote:
> > > >>>
> > > >>>> I am considering getting a small DIY 3 axis CNC router, something
> > > >>>>
> > > >>> like this:
> > > >>>
> > > >>>> http://zentoolworks.com/
> > > >>>>
> > > >>>> To, amongst other things, make PCB's with. Clearly a useful tool
> > > >>>>
> > > >>> for drilling holes, but I have seen youtube videos (eg
> > > >>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFQotB1aQBQ) of people using this
> > > >>> type of device for milling the pcb itself.
> > > >>>
> > > >>>> I currently use UV Sensitive PCB method for making prototype
> > > >>>>
> > > >>> boards which is OK, but is time consuming, can be error 
> prone and messy.
> > > >>>
> > > >>>> Anybody got any thoughts on milling PCB's? Good, bad the ugly?
> > > >>>>
> > > >>>> One though that occurred to me is that after making it, spraying
> > > >>>>
> > > >>> some form of solder resist to the board and then using some sort of
> > > >>> polishing bit to remove the resist where needed might be a 
> nice touch?
> > > >>>
> > > >>>> Mat
> > > >>>>
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >------------------------------------
> > >
> > >Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, 
> and Photos:
> > >http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>
>
>
>
>------------------------------------
>
>Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and Photos:
>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>