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First attempt at making my own PCBs
Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 8:46 am
by frequencycentral
Well I'm tooled up for etching - laser printer and 5 litres of FeCl. But until now I've just etched enclosures. Usually I have PCBs made for me by Bean, or I build on perf. For each etched enclosure I make a fresh mix of FeCl and water, so it seems a shame to waste the spent etchant. PCBs was the next logical step.Got the copper clad from Maplin (I know, I know - had to get solder and bought it on a whim - it's about time I did my own PCBs).
Toner transfer has gone well:
It's in the FeCl right now, stuff I've already used diluted with water to etch enclosures.
More photos later.
Re: First attempt at making my own PCBs
Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 9:11 am
by frequencycentral
Now, how do you guys make those tiny holes? I have a 1mm titanium drill bit, but only a hand drill - guess I need to buy a dremel - any recommedations?
Re: First attempt at making my own PCBs
Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 9:14 am
by Nocentelli
frequencycentral wrote:Now, how do you guys make those tiny holes? I have a 1mm titanium drill bit, but only a hand drill...
+1 That's the only thing putting me off etching my own... Rick, when are you going to start selling boards for your awesome creations?
Re: First attempt at making my own PCBs
Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 10:36 am
by Teej212
i drill by hand and it sucks really hard
Re: First attempt at making my own PCBs
Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 11:02 am
by eatyourguitar
drill press, hard steel bits. carbide I think. also, an engraving machine that is similar to a dremel with the spinning head. stewmac sells them. any dentist drilll. they work on air so the drill is smaller and lighter in the hands.
Re: First attempt at making my own PCBs
Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 8:50 pm
by mysteriousj
drill presses are best imo because any tiny bit of sideways motion and then your drill bit is broken :'(
Re: First attempt at making my own PCBs
Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 9:03 pm
by McSpunckle
I'd imagine the little Dremel drill press thing is good for drilling the holes.
Re: First attempt at making my own PCBs
Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 11:42 pm
by eatyourguitar
McSpunckle wrote:I'd imagine the little Dremel drill press thing is good for drilling the holes.
your talking about the plunge router attachment. I'm not really all that into it. drill press is best but if you already have the stewmac thing, or dentist drill to do inlays, then you can just drill freehand. you can get shorter bits for any dremel style tool and that should reduce the problems with breakage.
Re: First attempt at making my own PCBs
Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2011 4:38 am
by McSpunckle
eatyourguitar wrote:your talking about the plunge router attachment.
No, I'm taking about the drill press attachment.
http://www.amazon.com/Dremel-220-01-Rot ... B00068P48OThe plunge router would just be silly.
Re: First attempt at making my own PCBs
Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2011 12:57 pm
by eatyourguitar
That looks perfect. Especially if you dont have to buy the dremel. If you already have a drill press, you could use that too. Ebay has the bits you want with cheap shipping. Just buy a 10 pack
Re: First attempt at making my own PCBs
Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2011 2:26 am
by LaoWiz
frequencycentral wrote:Now, how do you guys make those tiny holes? I have a 1mm titanium drill bit, but only a hand drill - guess I need to buy a dremel - any recommedations?
I drilled a hole through my left index finger a couple of weeks ago. Using hand drill....
Re: First attempt at making my own PCBs
Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2011 5:50 am
by frequencycentral
LaoWiz wrote:I drilled a hole through my left index finger a couple of weeks ago. Using hand drill....
Gut shots?
Re: First attempt at making my own PCBs
Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2011 5:06 pm
by theavondon
frequencycentral wrote:LaoWiz wrote:I drilled a hole through my left index finger a couple of weeks ago. Using hand drill....
Gut shots?
Heh