Homebrew PCBs

Does anyone know of a descent shear that will handle FR4 or G10 board that doesn't cost a small fortune.  I only need to cut up maybe 100 board of 3 x 5 doublesided material.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Probably NOT what you are thinking of but I use this -
http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.cfm?ItemNumber=G4011

It can do 30" wide PCBs!  Though I typically use it for 4-6" wide
stuff. :)  It does a nice clean job on 062 FR4 stuff.  However, it
trashes phenolic (I'm not sure phenolic is actually shearable so it's
probably not the fault of the machine).  I love this machine because
its a roller and a brake as well.  I can make metal boxes pretty
easily and have made some nice copper plant water pans for my wife (to
significantly increase the WAF of the tool - not a small consideration).

They have a 12" version for $199 that would probably be more
appropriate for PCB work.
http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.cfm?itemnumber=G6089&

They also have several shears that are much cheaper and would probably
work ok.
http://www.grizzly.com/catalog/2004/458.cfm?

I'd guess that harbor freight would carry something similar.

Phil


--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Earl T. Hackett, Jr."
<hacketet@c...> wrote:
> Does anyone know of a descent shear that will handle FR4 or G10
board that doesn't cost a small fortune.  I only need to cut up maybe
100 board of 3 x 5 doublesided material.
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi Earl-

Harbor Freight has a 8 inch mini shear that looks good for $115US at 
<http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=90757>

Or, you could do what I did and went to a local shop (in my hospital) 
and borrowed their metal shear for my 40 boards. 

David

Earl T. Hackett, Jr. wrote:

>Does anyone know of a descent shear that will handle FR4 or G10 board that doesn't cost a small fortune.  I only need to cut up maybe 100 board of 3 x 5 doublesided material.
>
>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
>Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Bookmarks and files:
>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs 
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
> 
>
>
>
>
>  
>

>From: "Phil" <phil1960us@...>
>Reply-To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
>To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: PCB Shear
>Date: Wed, 24 Nov 2004 17:30:25 -0000
>
>
>
>Probably NOT what you are thinking of but I use this -
>http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.cfm?ItemNumber=G4011
>
>It can do 30" wide PCBs!  Though I typically use it for 4-6" wide
>stuff. :)  It does a nice clean job on 062 FR4 stuff.  However, it
>trashes phenolic (I'm not sure phenolic is actually shearable so it's
>probably not the fault of the machine).

I've heard that you can shear phenolic material if you heat it first, it 
makes it less brittle.

Leon
--
Leon Heller, G1HSM
http://www.geocities.com/leon_heller
http://www.kasamba.com/viewExpert.asp?conMemID=105725&Catid=1111&banID=2100

Thanks.  The 12" one from Grizzley looks like just the ticket.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Leon is right: a hair dryer is all you need to heat it a little.
Cristian


> >trashes phenolic (I'm not sure phenolic is actually shearable so it's
> >probably not the fault of the machine).


>I've heard that you can shear phenolic material if you heat it first, it
>makes it less brittle.
>
>Leon


  ----------


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.798 / Virus Database: 542 - Release Date: 18/11/04


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

that makes sense.  though the only chance I'll use phenolic is if I
buy a radio shack board.

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Leon Heller" <leon_heller@h...>
wrote:
> 
> 
> 
> >From: "Phil" <phil1960us@y...>
> >Reply-To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
> >To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
> >Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: PCB Shear
> >Date: Wed, 24 Nov 2004 17:30:25 -0000
> >
> >
> >
> >Probably NOT what you are thinking of but I use this -
> >http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.cfm?ItemNumber=G4011
> >
> >It can do 30" wide PCBs!  Though I typically use it for 4-6" wide
> >stuff. :)  It does a nice clean job on 062 FR4 stuff.  However, it
> >trashes phenolic (I'm not sure phenolic is actually shearable so it's
> >probably not the fault of the machine).
> 
> I've heard that you can shear phenolic material if you heat it
first, it 
> makes it less brittle.
> 
> Leon
> --
> Leon Heller, G1HSM
> http://www.geocities.com/leon_heller
>
http://www.kasamba.com/viewExpert.asp?conMemID=105725&Catid=1111&banID=2100

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, David P Harris <dpharris@t...>
wrote:
> Hi Earl-
> 
> Harbor Freight has a 8 inch mini shear that looks good for $115US at 
> <http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=90757>
> 

I looked at that one and the grizzly sheet metal shears.  They dont
have a bar that clamps the item being sheered flat.  They call it a
positioning plate though it acts more like a clamp that engages about
1/2" before the shear starts to cut.  The 12" griz as well as my 30"
has one and it really helps to get a clean, accurate cut.  I'm not
sure how you keep the material flat on the other ones - I'd want to
rig up some sort of clamping system.

By the way, I made a little fence for mine so I can align the boards
for a right angle cut.  What ever you get, you will probably want to
do that too.

Phil wrote:

>--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, David P Harris <dpharris@t...>
>wrote:
>  
>
>>Hi Earl-
>>
>>Harbor Freight has a 8 inch mini shear that looks good for $115US at 
>><http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=90757>
>>
>>    
>>
>
>I looked at that one and the grizzly sheet metal shears.  They dont
>have a bar that clamps the item being sheered flat.  They call it a
>positioning plate though it acts more like a clamp that engages about
>1/2" before the shear starts to cut.  The 12" griz as well as my 30"
>has one and it really helps to get a clean, accurate cut.  I'm not
>sure how you keep the material flat on the other ones - I'd want to
>rig up some sort of clamping system.
>
>By the way, I made a little fence for mine so I can align the boards
>for a right angle cut.  What ever you get, you will probably want to
>do that too.
>  
>
Yes, the Grizzly 12" unit looks like a winner for occasional use - comes 
with a Hold-down, and a right-angle attachment. 
As a bonus, it also does Pressing, Braking, and Rolling!
Of course, as soon as I got it, I would realize I needed the 30" one :-(
David

The Harbor Freight mini shear appears  to be the same as the one 
offered by Micro-Mark at http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?
MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=82820

I bought the Micro-Mark shear/brake (on sale) a month or so ago and 
have used it a few times to shear 0.031 and 0.062 FR4.  I have 
difficulty keeping the PCB in place while shearing.  The shear tends 
to push it out as the cut is being made.  Some sort of clamp would be 
handy.  On the other hand, it does make a fine little brake.  Made a 
couple of nice metal boxes using it.

This shear is not a precision tool.  The first one I received had to 
be returned because of a poorly made gear.  The shear is nice and 
rugged but not well made.

If I want a clean right-angle cut, I use my radial arm saw with a 
plywood blade.  Have to watch those finger tho!

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Phil" <phil1960us@y...> wrote:
> 
> Probably NOT what you are thinking of but I use this -
> http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.cfm?ItemNumber=G4011
> 
> It can do 30" wide PCBs!  Though I typically use it for 4-6" wide
> stuff. :)  It does a nice clean job on 062 FR4 stuff.  However, it
> trashes phenolic (I'm not sure phenolic is actually shearable so 
it's
> probably not the fault of the machine).  I love this machine because
> its a roller and a brake as well.  I can make metal boxes pretty
> easily and have made some nice copper plant water pans for my wife 
(to
> significantly increase the WAF of the tool - not a small 
consideration).
> 
> They have a 12" version for $199 that would probably be more
> appropriate for PCB work.
> http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.cfm?itemnumber=G6089&
> 
> They also have several shears that are much cheaper and would 
probably
> work ok.
> http://www.grizzly.com/catalog/2004/458.cfm?
> 
> I'd guess that harbor freight would carry something similar.
> 
> Phil


Use-enco.com has the same sheer for 30 inch wide, and it costs less 
than HF even with shipping.

I have used mine to cut CM-1.  Not as clean as routing, but simple 
and fast.

I have a friend who uses one of those $85.00 diamond tile saws at 
Home Depot to do his boards.   Much cleaner cut than the shear.

Also, you can trim inside corners and nibble slots with the saw.

It's on my wish list.  I was thinking of taking the wife into re-
tiling the bathroom so I can get the saw.   Unfortunatly, she wants a 
fiberglass tub and a linouem floor.

Dave

Oh dear.

I thought this was going to be an easy decision.

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Dave Mucha 
  To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Thursday, November 25, 2004 12:36 AM
  Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: PCB Shear



  I have a friend who uses one of those $85.00 diamond tile saws at 
  Home Depot to do his boards.   Much cleaner cut than the shear.

  Also, you can trim inside corners and nibble slots with the saw.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I bought a diamond blade for my Dremel --it works, but ++ messy with 
lots of dust.  The shear is much cleaner, faster and the cuts are 
straighter :-)
David

Earl T. Hackett, Jr. wrote:

>Oh dear.
>
>I thought this was going to be an easy decision.
>  ----- Original Message ----- 
>  From: Dave Mucha 
>  To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com 
>  Sent: Thursday, November 25, 2004 12:36 AM
>  Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: PCB Shear
>
>
>
>  I have a friend who uses one of those $85.00 diamond tile saws at 
>  Home Depot to do his boards.   Much cleaner cut than the shear.
>
>  Also, you can trim inside corners and nibble slots with the saw.
>
>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
>Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Bookmarks and files:
>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs 
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
> 
>
>
>
>
>  
>

On Thu, 25 Nov 2004 13:33:23 -0800, David P Harris <dpharris@...>  
wrote:

>
> I bought a diamond blade for my Dremel --it works, but ++ messy with
> lots of dust.  The shear is much cleaner, faster and the cuts are
> straighter :-)
> David
>

the tile saws have a water container under the blade to catch the dust.
A carbide blade in a smal table saw works well too.
If i could afford a shear i would use one :-(
I better save up for a bending brake too, for enclosures. and we have no  
HF here, very expensive...


ST

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, David P Harris <dpharris@t...> 
wrote:
> I bought a diamond blade for my Dremel --it works, but ++ messy 
with 
> lots of dust.  The shear is much cleaner, faster and the cuts are 
> straighter :-)
> David

I would expect so !

The 7 inch diamond saws from HF ($69.00) are MUCH easier to use than 
a Dremel type.

The wet saw blades make it a easier to breathe device as well.

Having a fence allows perfectly straight cuts and unlike a shear, you 
can make board after board exactly the same dimmentions.

Also, unlike a shear, you can trim a sliver off the end or side or 
corner.

7" Bench  mount - 40315-1VGA  $69.00
7" Portable - 91511-0VGA  #$69.00

4"  3733-0VGA  $59.00

Oddly,  they only carry the 4" blades,  3 for $10.00

Also, oddly, Homier has a diamond blade, but does not list it's 
size.   homier.com    04269 Saw Blade 

The saws also offer miter guides so angled cuts can be made.

Yes, it makes the decision harder, but the shear, brake and roll can 
help make boxes.....  ( get both ! )



Dave

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Earl T. Hackett, Jr." 
<hacketet@c...> wrote:
> Oh dear.
> 
> I thought this was going to be an easy decision.


Read the weight on the 30" brake.

This is a monster and garage kept.

I had to dissasemble mine to get it into the basement.

Luckily, I have wheels for it as well as an anchor to secure it when 
using the shear.

I have cut 0.08" aluminum, but it pushes the unit to the limits.  I 
expect to break something if I keep doing that.  Even the steel at 
the rated thickness is an effort to shear.

Dave

Hi Stefan,
Take a look at www.knuth.de, sometimes they have demo's for low prices
Bengt
> If i could afford a shear i would use one :-(
> I better save up for a bending brake too, for enclosures. and we 
have no HF here, very expensive...
> ST

;-))  Never met a good tool I didn't like.

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Dave Mucha 
  To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com 

  The saws also offer miter guides so angled cuts can be made.

  Yes, it makes the decision harder, but the shear, brake and roll can 
  help make boxes.....  ( get both ! )



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]