Homebrew PCBs

Hi guys,

Later this year (perhaps next year or whenever I get my machine done), 
I want to give isolation milling a try.  At first I thought a small 
end mill would be the tool to use, but the more I thought about it, I 
suspect that is not the case.  After thinking about it further, I 
believe it would make more sense to use a "pointed" tool shaped like 
a 'V' or something. Does anyone know of some sources for the tool bits 
that work good for isolation milling?  Primarily, I would like to see 
some detailed photos or drawings as I would probably attempt to grind 
my own - seeing as Stefan got me thinking about that now ;-)

Thanks

Chris

----- Original Message ----- 

From: "lcdpublishing" <lcdpublishing@...>
To: <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, July 26, 2006 12:58 PM
Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Isolation milling - what do the cutters look like 
to do it?


> Hi guys,
>
> Later this year (perhaps next year or whenever I get my machine done),
> I want to give isolation milling a try.  At first I thought a small
> end mill would be the tool to use, but the more I thought about it, I
> suspect that is not the case.  After thinking about it further, I
> believe it would make more sense to use a "pointed" tool shaped like
> a 'V' or something. Does anyone know of some sources for the tool bits
> that work good for isolation milling?  Primarily, I would like to see
> some detailed photos or drawings as I would probably attempt to grind
> my own - seeing as Stefan got me thinking about that now ;-)

LPKF makes machines for PCB milling, they might have details of the bits on 
their web site. Ordinary HSS bits won't last very long, of course, you 
really need to use tungsten carbide. AFAIK, LPKF don't do isolation 
milling - they use the same Pulsonix software I use with a special output 
option, and Pulsonix won't do copper isolation automatically. It can be done 
manually, of course.

Leon

On Wed, 26 Jul 2006 13:58:47 +0200, lcdpublishing  
<lcdpublishing@...m> wrote:

> Hi guys,
> Later this year (perhaps next year or whenever I get my machine done),
> I want to give isolation milling a try.  At first I thought a small
> end mill would be the tool to use, but the more I thought about it, I
> suspect that is not the case.  After thinking about it further, I
> believe it would make more sense to use a "pointed" tool shaped like
> a 'V' or something. Does anyone know of some sources for the tool bits
> that work good for isolation milling?  Primarily, I would like to see
> some detailed photos or drawings as I would probably attempt to grind
> my own - seeing as Stefan got me thinking about that now ;-)
> Thanks
> Chris


There's some guy selling them on the web, homemade...

I don't remember the URL, but a google search for "pcb engravers lead  
brick grinder" will turn it up (don't ask!).

ST

What the hell?  Sure enough, there they are on that sight based on 
those search words.  I really want to ask, but won't.  But, based on 
that search criteria, I can see why I get so frustrated searching 
with Google and Yahoo, I am always using the wrong search words!

Thanks for the link (umm, search tip ;-))

Chris



-- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Stefan Trethan" 
<stefan_trethan@...> wrote:
>
> On Wed, 26 Jul 2006 13:58:47 +0200, lcdpublishing  
> <lcdpublishing@...> wrote:
> 
> > Hi guys,
> > Later this year (perhaps next year or whenever I get my machine 
done),
> > I want to give isolation milling a try.  At first I thought a 
small
> > end mill would be the tool to use, but the more I thought about 
it, I
> > suspect that is not the case.  After thinking about it further, I
> > believe it would make more sense to use a "pointed" tool shaped 
like
> > a 'V' or something. Does anyone know of some sources for the 
tool bits
> > that work good for isolation milling?  Primarily, I would like 
to see
> > some detailed photos or drawings as I would probably attempt to 
grind
> > my own - seeing as Stefan got me thinking about that now ;-)
> > Thanks
> > Chris
> 
> 
> There's some guy selling them on the web, homemade...
> 
> I don't remember the URL, but a google search for "pcb engravers 
lead  

> brick grinder" will turn it up (don't ask!).
> 
> ST
>

On Wed, 26 Jul 2006 22:18:03 +0200, lcdpublishing  
<lcdpublishing@...> wrote:

> What the hell?  Sure enough, there they are on that sight based on
> those search words.  I really want to ask, but won't.  But, based on
> that search criteria, I can see why I get so frustrated searching
> with Google and Yahoo, I am always using the wrong search words!
> Thanks for the link (umm, search tip ;-))
> Chris


I tend to remember curiosities about pages rather than names or URLs.
Luckily google can deal with that.

ST

www.thinktink.com/stack/volumes/voli/store/mechmill.htm

Think-n-tink sell them as well as showing
a piccy of the geometry on the above web
page.

> lcdpublishing wrote:
> What the hell?  Sure enough, there they
> are on that sight based on those search
> words.  I really want to ask, but won't.
> But, based on that search criteria, I
> can see why I get so frustrated searching 
> with Google and Yahoo, I am always using
> the wrong search words!
> 
> Thanks for the link (umm, search tip ;-))

>> Stefan wrote:
>> There's some guy selling them on the
>> web, homemade... I don't remember the URL,
>> but a google search for "pcb engravers 
>> lead brick grinder" will turn it up (don't
>> ask!).

LOL!  I am going to have to start practicing that method because 
frankly I suck at searching.  This forces me to bookmark every page 
I go to that is a bit interesting. Then I can't find it in the 
hundreds of bookmarks.  

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Stefan Trethan" 
<stefan_trethan@...> wrote:
>
> On Wed, 26 Jul 2006 22:18:03 +0200, lcdpublishing  
> <lcdpublishing@...> wrote:
> 
> > What the hell?  Sure enough, there they are on that sight based 
on
> > those search words.  I really want to ask, but won't.  But, 
based on
> > that search criteria, I can see why I get so frustrated searching
> > with Google and Yahoo, I am always using the wrong search words!
> > Thanks for the link (umm, search tip ;-))
> > Chris
> 
> 
> I tend to remember curiosities about pages rather than names or 
URLs.

> Luckily google can deal with that.
> 
> ST
>

Thanks, that helps too!

Chris


--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Andrew" <andrewm1973@...> 
wrote:

>
> www.thinktink.com/stack/volumes/voli/store/mechmill.htm
> 
> Think-n-tink sell them as well as showing
> a piccy of the geometry on the above web
> page.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> > lcdpublishing wrote:
> > What the hell?  Sure enough, there they
> > are on that sight based on those search
> > words.  I really want to ask, but won't.
> > But, based on that search criteria, I
> > can see why I get so frustrated searching 
> > with Google and Yahoo, I am always using
> > the wrong search words!
> > 
> > Thanks for the link (umm, search tip ;-))
> 
> >> Stefan wrote:
> >> There's some guy selling them on the
> >> web, homemade... I don't remember the URL,
> >> but a google search for "pcb engravers 
> >> lead brick grinder" will turn it up (don't
> >> ask!).
>

On Thu, 27 Jul 2006 00:17:56 +0200, lcdpublishing  
<lcdpublishing@...m> wrote:

> LOL!  I am going to have to start practicing that method because
> frankly I suck at searching.  This forces me to bookmark every page
> I go to that is a bit interesting. Then I can't find it in the
> hundreds of bookmarks.


Well, it works for me...
Do let us know how you get on with the grinding, i will want to have a go  
at some point.
But not too soon ;-)

ST

It may be a few months down the road yet befor I get around to 
making the tools.  But I will certainly let you know how it works 
out.  I really doubt my hands and eyes will cooperated enough for me 
to do it good, but I sure have to give a try!

Chris




--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Stefan Trethan" 
<stefan_trethan@...> wrote:
>
> On Thu, 27 Jul 2006 00:17:56 +0200, lcdpublishing  
> <lcdpublishing@...> wrote:
> 
> > LOL!  I am going to have to start practicing that method because
> > frankly I suck at searching.  This forces me to bookmark every 
page
> > I go to that is a bit interesting. Then I can't find it in the
> > hundreds of bookmarks.
> 
> 
> Well, it works for me...
> Do let us know how you get on with the grinding, i will want to 
have a go  

> at some point.
> But not too soon ;-)
> 
> ST
>