Homebrew PCBs

Stefan Trethan wrote:
> Alan, no offence, but has it ever appeared to you you might be a little 
> crazy? ;-)

   Almost everyone even remotely normal sees people in my range of 
brilliance as at least slightly crazy!  ;)

> 
> Don't you think the automated feed is a bit of overkill....?

   Not at all.  It SEEMS that way until you've made one, because the 
startup of making a controller etc is noticable.  But, once you have one 
done you can clone it all you like.  And cost for the 
motor/shaft/controller is only around $20ish with cheap/surplus items. 
While the gravity setup isn't a bad idea and has the advantage of 
simplicity, steppers are one of the most reliable machines there are. 
With an actively driven setup things are less likely to have unexpected 
results, you'll be amazed how often the weight system will do something 
you didn't exactly want it to.  And since this type of cutting is a 
relatively slow process anyway, you can slow it down further while 
accurately controlled and simply punch a button and go do other things. 
  Main thing is with my own controller systems and at least 500 steppers 
on hand, it takes little to do for me.  Really though cut a stepper and 
drive out of an old floppy drive and it's not much for anyone else either.

> 
> Do you really cut boards yourself this way?
> Don't misunderstand me - your plan is interesting and all, but somehow it 
> sounds like some "nutty professor machine".

   Actually I mount the flex shaft horizontally on my homemade CNC and 
let it do it.  I was just reducing it down to what's needed to just cut 
boards.  Since there are many other things you cut in straight lines, 
I've considered making a seperate one myself even though I don't do 
enough just PCB's to justify it.  Note that it lets you have good hands 
free (and noise removed since you can leave) operation for no more than 
the cost of the better tools others were suggesting.  If you're not 
there you don't care so much if it's a bit longer to cut.  And if you 
have a dremel/flex already it costs very little to do.

Alan