Homebrew PCBs

My experience is different from others have responded -- I cut the board with a band saw, and have not had any problem with blade life. Cuts very fast and no problem keeping it as straight as I need it to be. Leaves a tiny burr that cleans up easily with a file.

Two caveats: 1) I don't cut a lot of board, so perhaps I just haven't seen the deterioration of blades yet. BUT 2) I am using a metal cutting band saw, which uses a considerably slower blade speed than a wood cutting band saw, and I use a 24 tpi blade made for cutting metal. I suspect the high speed of a woodworking band saw is a major factor in destroying blades when cutting this material.

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Steve <steve65@...> wrote:
>
> There have been discussions from time to time on this reflector about 
> techniques for cutting PCB material. I don't recall having seen mention 
> of a band saw.
> 
> Anyone use a band saw to cut FR4 as thick as 1/16 inch? Does it work 
> well? Or poorly? What kind of blade does it take? Other comments or advice?
> 
> I have occasionally considered buying a band saw for other applications 
> and was just wondering if its use in cutting FR4 might lend some weight 
> to that decision? Thinking about a table model.
> 
> Thanks.
> 
> Steve
> 
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