Homebrew PCBs

Cutting PCB material both easily and accurately has been a challenge for 
me. I have made a PCB cutter using a angle grinder with diamond disc. 
After several attempts at trying to cut straight with a angle grinders I 
came up with a saw bench arrangment. I made a video to see what people 
think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPzAMOYYyKM

This cutter is probably a bit complex just to cut PCB material, but it 
was the cheapest and simplest way I could think of.

Adam Seychell wrote:

> 
> This cutter is probably a bit complex just to cut PCB material, but it
> was the cheapest and simplest way I could think of.
> 


The simplicity and efficiency of the guiding and alignment method is
impressively ingenious. Nice thing to share! And all the other good
words applied to every your sharings. 

Don't hurt yourself. My fingers hurt just from seen your video (i have
cut myself in power tools before). 

My own opinion, is that if spending more money than in a carbide scriber
or steel scissor to cut pcb's is better to spent it on a cnc router.
Your way all board is nicely cut, in a cnc a vacuum table is necessary,
or one as to leave 4 or 2 uncut connections. Since no handle needed
during the process, an cnc router is at least safer.

Simao

That sure works good - Amazing what you can do with the 4" grinder - I think I've seen those for $20..... 

Congrats on a job well done.

Ken H>

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Adam Seychell <a_seychell@...> wrote:

>
> Cutting PCB material both easily and accurately has been a challenge for 
> me. I have made a PCB cutter using a angle grinder with diamond disc. 
> After several attempts at trying to cut straight with a angle grinders I 
> came up with a saw bench arrangment. I made a video to see what people 
> think.
> 
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPzAMOYYyKM
> 
> This cutter is probably a bit complex just to cut PCB material, but it 
> was the cheapest and simplest way I could think of.
>

I cut 1/32 boards on a normal paper cutter. I have not tried 1/16 boards.

Bob Macklin
K5MYJ
Seattle, Wa.
"Real Radios Glow In The Dark"
----- Original Message ----- 

From: "Simao Cardoso" <simaocardoso@...>
To: <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 10:09 AM
Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] PCB cutter


> Adam Seychell wrote:
>
>>
>> This cutter is probably a bit complex just to cut PCB material, but it
>> was the cheapest and simplest way I could think of.
>>
>
>
> The simplicity and efficiency of the guiding and alignment method is
> impressively ingenious. Nice thing to share! And all the other good
> words applied to every your sharings.
>
> Don't hurt yourself. My fingers hurt just from seen your video (i have
> cut myself in power tools before).
>
> My own opinion, is that if spending more money than in a carbide scriber
> or steel scissor to cut pcb's is better to spent it on a cnc router.
> Your way all board is nicely cut, in a cnc a vacuum table is necessary,
> or one as to leave 4 or 2 uncut connections. Since no handle needed
> during the process, an cnc router is at least safer.
>
> Simao
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and 
> Photos:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>

On 17/06/2010 3:09, Simao Cardoso wrote:
>
> Don't hurt yourself. My fingers hurt just from seen your video (i have
> cut myself in power tools before).

Those diamond tile cutting blades are relatively smooth compared to a 
toothed blade so if your finger happens to brush passed, you'll just 
loose a layer of skin. One possibility I didn't think about is a finger 
jammed where the blade travels down through the table top opening !

> My own opinion, is that if spending more money than in a carbide scriber
> or steel scissor to cut pcb's is better to spent it on a cnc router.

I agree. Sheet metal guillotines are expensive. They also stress the 
PCB, and leave rough edge. I wanted something cheap, that cuts fairly 
accurate but also very quick and no fuss like a guillotine. I'd think a 
CNC machine would be too time consuming to use for doing just a few cuts.

Adam

Adam Seychell wrote:


> Those diamond tile cutting blades are relatively smooth compared to a 
> toothed blade so if your finger happens to brush passed, you'll just 
> loose a layer of skin. 


I misread the description at first, i didn't realize the so inexpensive
materials you used to do this. If there was a competition for who make
the best cut for less money you definitely won.

> One possibility I didn't think about is a finger jammed where the
> blade travels down through the table top opening !
> 

Your machine will be safer with a clamp for the pcb. Just something non
flexible above the draw slide with rubber facing the pcb. As long as the
draw slide, hold with a hinge (?) or so at the jig end so it can open to
place the pcb. To cut you would just hold tight both parts with one
hand, outside the table and move it forward. For a simpler alignment
just make the a larger base on the slide, 1 or 2 mm apart from the disk,
so you can align it just from placing the pcb.

> I'd think a CNC machine would be too time consuming to use for doing
> just a few cuts.

True. Your last shown board, beside you never show the other side, is
definitely a plated thought hole board, rare on homebrews. Although the
impressive work on design, imaging and etch, the thermal vias have some
hand drill misalignment. The cnc is your last step to absolute
perfection!

Simao

I use a smaller size paper cutter, it works good on .032" and less.  For .062" and .050" it does "ok", but really need to slide PCB out about middle ways so the board doesn't "twist" on cutting.

Harbor Freight has two sizes, I have the small one, and am looking at getting the large one.  

Ken H>

>
> I cut 1/32 boards on a normal paper cutter. I have not tried 1/16 boards.
> 
> Bob Macklin
> K5MYJ
> Seattle, Wa.

On 17/06/2010 11:41, sailingto wrote:
>
>
> I use a smaller size paper cutter, it works good on .032" and less. For
> .062" and .050" it does "ok", but really need to slide PCB out about
> middle ways so the board doesn't "twist" on cutting.
>
> Harbor Freight has two sizes, I have the small one, and am looking at
> getting the large one.
>

I've wondered about these paper cutters. Is it possible to apply enough 
force to cut 1.6mm (0.062") material in the middle of the blade ? My 
guess is this would put too much strain the paper cutter, but never 
tried it myself. How close can you cut to traces without risk damaging 
them ?

I have tried 1/16 thick PCB material on a paper cutter (a good one) and would not recommend it.  It will cut it but the amount of force required is high and the board tends to move during the cut making it difficult to cut straight.  I have not had any PCB stock that is less than 1/16" but suspect it would work good for thin stock.

Chris

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Adam Seychell <a_seychell@...> wrote:

>
> On 17/06/2010 11:41, sailingto wrote:
> >
> >
> > I use a smaller size paper cutter, it works good on .032" and less. For
> > .062" and .050" it does "ok", but really need to slide PCB out about
> > middle ways so the board doesn't "twist" on cutting.
> >
> > Harbor Freight has two sizes, I have the small one, and am looking at
> > getting the large one.
> >
> 
> I've wondered about these paper cutters. Is it possible to apply enough 
> force to cut 1.6mm (0.062") material in the middle of the blade ? My 
> guess is this would put too much strain the paper cutter, but never 
> tried it myself. How close can you cut to traces without risk damaging 
> them ?
>

Adam, very nicely done. Your slider and alignment jig are especially well done.

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Adam Seychell <a_seychell@...> wrote:

>
> Cutting PCB material both easily and accurately has been a challenge for 
> me. I have made a PCB cutter using a angle grinder with diamond disc. 
> After several attempts at trying to cut straight with a angle grinders I 
> came up with a saw bench arrangment. I made a video to see what people 
> think.
> 
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPzAMOYYyKM
> 
> This cutter is probably a bit complex just to cut PCB material, but it 
> was the cheapest and simplest way I could think of.
>