drilling pcbs

impsick · 5th March 2007, 01:48 PM

i was wondering what size drill bits you guys are using when drilling out your pcbs at home? i have only found 1/16 inch bits and thats too big! where do you guys get your smaller bit size?

traw · 5th March 2007, 01:54 PM

home depot has the dremel precision drill bi kits, around 7 bucks give you the 2 smaller sizes. or can order the smaller bits from digikey. i myself go to a local industrial supply shop, most any of those type stores will have the 0.040 size you'd like. think they actually go by numbers, like #60 or something...

jaycee · 5th March 2007, 02:02 PM

Look on eBay and you will find people selling them too... usually specified in millimetres though. 0.6mm, 0.8mm and 1mm are usually good enough for most things, but you really need a drill press of some kind - a mini one for a hobbycraft drill will do.

richie00boy · 5th March 2007, 02:12 PM

A drill stand is essential. Also use carbide bits as the hole is MUCH cleaner that with HSS bits.

0.7mm is perfect for resistors and most caps and small diodes
0.9mm for 1N4001 size diodes and some bigger caps
1.0mm for TO220

impsick · 5th March 2007, 02:17 PM

ya i figured i need a press. i'll check out ebay. thanks

Denis.BR · 6th March 2007, 07:14 PM

you can ask your dentist for used teeth drills.

it may be not useful for teeth drilling anymore, but can be for home use.

they have several models, including some incrusted with diamond powder that are great for smoothing corners, even if wear.

also very handy to scare your little sister

KISS · 8th March 2007, 07:06 PM

Try www.smallparstsinc.com and search for "circuit board drills". A reminder that small drills require high speeds for drilling. Dremel makes a drill press attachment for their moto tool, model 212.

Minion · 8th March 2007, 07:24 PM

You don"t need a Drill Press or anything like that at all....I simply use a Dremmel Rotary tool and get very accurate drill holes....

You can get a set of Carbide Mini Drill bits for about $15 on e-bay and they work great for even the smallest holes......

richie00boy · 8th March 2007, 07:25 PM

Either you're not using small enough drill bits then, or you have a robot arm! I've broken loads of 0.7mm bits even with a drill stand. Then again I've made a fair few boards.

KISS · 8th March 2007, 07:27 PM

Or not drilling enough holes.

5th March 2007, 01:48 PM	#1
impsick diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Huntington Beach, Ca	drilling pcbs i was wondering what size drill bits you guys are using when drilling out your pcbs at home? i have only found 1/16 inch bits and thats too big! where do you guys get your smaller bit size? __________________ "Nothing happens for a reason. There are just reasons why things happen." Quote me on that. http://stores.ebay.com/AudioGrade?_rdc=1

5th March 2007, 02:12 PM	#4
richie00boy Did it Himself diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gloucestershire, England, UK	A drill stand is essential. Also use carbide bits as the hole is MUCH cleaner that with HSS bits. 0.7mm is perfect for resistors and most caps and small diodes 0.9mm for 1N4001 size diodes and some bigger caps 1.0mm for TO220 __________________ www.readresearch.co.uk my website for UK diy audio people - designs, PCBs, kits and more

5th March 2007, 02:17 PM	#5
impsick diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Huntington Beach, Ca	ya i figured i need a press. i'll check out ebay. thanks __________________ "Nothing happens for a reason. There are just reasons why things happen." Quote me on that. http://stores.ebay.com/AudioGrade?_rdc=1

8th March 2007, 07:25 PM	#9
richie00boy Did it Himself diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gloucestershire, England, UK	Either you're not using small enough drill bits then, or you have a robot arm! I've broken loads of 0.7mm bits even with a drill stand. Then again I've made a fair few boards. __________________ www.readresearch.co.uk my website for UK diy audio people - designs, PCBs, kits and more

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5th March 2007, 01:54 PM	#2
traw diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2005	home depot has the dremel precision drill bi kits, around 7 bucks give you the 2 smaller sizes. or can order the smaller bits from digikey. i myself go to a local industrial supply shop, most any of those type stores will have the 0.040 size you'd like. think they actually go by numbers, like #60 or something...

5th March 2007, 02:02 PM	#3
jaycee diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Norwich, UK	Look on eBay and you will find people selling them too... usually specified in millimetres though. 0.6mm, 0.8mm and 1mm are usually good enough for most things, but you really need a drill press of some kind - a mini one for a hobbycraft drill will do.

6th March 2007, 07:14 PM	#6
Denis.BR diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2007	you can ask your dentist for used teeth drills. it may be not useful for teeth drilling anymore, but can be for home use. they have several models, including some incrusted with diamond powder that are great for smoothing corners, even if wear. also very handy to scare your little sister

8th March 2007, 07:06 PM	#7
KISS diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2007	Try www.smallparstsinc.com and search for "circuit board drills". A reminder that small drills require high speeds for drilling. Dremel makes a drill press attachment for their moto tool, model 212.

8th March 2007, 07:24 PM	#8
Minion diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2006	You don"t need a Drill Press or anything like that at all....I simply use a Dremmel Rotary tool and get very accurate drill holes.... You can get a set of Carbide Mini Drill bits for about $15 on e-bay and they work great for even the smallest holes......

8th March 2007, 07:27 PM	#10
KISS diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2007	Or not drilling enough holes.

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