Hi,
I've just bought the equipment needed to make PCBs using the photo-resist method. Until now I've just either used stripboard or had boards made for me. I'm now looking at what tools to buy next and was hoping for some advice/ recommendations on which route to take.
I need something to drill PCBs, something that can drill enclosures and something that can cut square holes in metal for IEC connectors etc.
So far I've come up with the following options:
Proxxon 340/E drill/grinder with MB 140/s stand: For drilling PCBs and using a cutting disc for square holes in metal (as far as I can tell, it can do this.)
Clarke CDP5EB pillar drill: For drilling holes in metal chassis.
I think this would cover my different needs but is a fair bit to buy at once.
My other thoughts were the Proxxon TBM220 bench drill for PCBs and I wondered if it would be capable of drilling chassis too.
Another option would be to go with the Proxxon mini drill and stand and stick to using a hand drill and stepped bit for chassis holes. I can never get the holes to line up dead on though, hence my desire to upgrade!
Anyway, what do you reckon? Does this seem sensible or are there some better options that I'm missing?
Thanks,
James
I've just bought the equipment needed to make PCBs using the photo-resist method. Until now I've just either used stripboard or had boards made for me. I'm now looking at what tools to buy next and was hoping for some advice/ recommendations on which route to take.
I need something to drill PCBs, something that can drill enclosures and something that can cut square holes in metal for IEC connectors etc.
So far I've come up with the following options:
Proxxon 340/E drill/grinder with MB 140/s stand: For drilling PCBs and using a cutting disc for square holes in metal (as far as I can tell, it can do this.)
Clarke CDP5EB pillar drill: For drilling holes in metal chassis.
I think this would cover my different needs but is a fair bit to buy at once.
My other thoughts were the Proxxon TBM220 bench drill for PCBs and I wondered if it would be capable of drilling chassis too.
Another option would be to go with the Proxxon mini drill and stand and stick to using a hand drill and stepped bit for chassis holes. I can never get the holes to line up dead on though, hence my desire to upgrade!
Anyway, what do you reckon? Does this seem sensible or are there some better options that I'm missing?
Thanks,
James
The Proxxon is far superior and not much more money. I bought a Proxxon miniature milling machine for making guitar nuts and bridges, wonderful tool.
Would the the TBM 220 be capable of drilling chassis holes as well as PCBs? I was imagining that I'd need two drills, the Proxxon for PCBs and the Clarke for Heavier stuff. The bonus of the 240/E in the stand would be that I could use it as a grinder for cutting square holes too.
I have one proxxon since 20 years now. Nice product with belt driving. Good for precision drilling on pcb till 3mm.
Another simple tool
https://www.jameco.com/Jameco/Products/ProdImag/18810.jpg
a step ahead can be CNC.
Another simple tool
https://www.jameco.com/Jameco/Products/ProdImag/18810.jpg
a step ahead can be CNC.
The flat belt after use needs to release… it is also a rare replacement part hard to get. After years it is may gone as mine..
The Chuck is a requirement 😀
Hp
To be completely honest I wouldn't bother DIYing pcb's.
PCB's from the likes of JLCPCB are so cheap now even if you mess up you can throw them away at little cost. With "real" pcb's you get silk screen and solder mask and they look the business. My adventures with DIY pcb have never been brilliant and they look amateur.
PCB's from the likes of JLCPCB are so cheap now even if you mess up you can throw them away at little cost. With "real" pcb's you get silk screen and solder mask and they look the business. My adventures with DIY pcb have never been brilliant and they look amateur.
I made my own PCB drill with a good DC motor mounted to a precision ball slide. It only holds 1/8" shank PCB drills. Works well but remember that a real manual PCB drilling station, at least the ones I've seen, drills up from the bottom, with a screen and cross-hair target on the top. That lets you put the hole exactly where you want. IMO, you want a conventional heavy duty drill press for chassis work. I also agree with Nigel, none of this is worth it given the easy availability of cheap multi-layer PCBs.
For cutting square holes in panels carefully lay it out, drill small holes inside of the corners and bigger ones inside of the square to remove as much metal as possible. Purchase a course square file and file out the remaining metal carefully till you hit your layout lines.
Unless you have a milling machine using powered hand held tools is going to be frustrating. The first time the bit grabs, jumps out of the hole and goes across the surface your going to be pissed.
Without proper tools, slow and steady is going to give the best results.
BillWojo
Unless you have a milling machine using powered hand held tools is going to be frustrating. The first time the bit grabs, jumps out of the hole and goes across the surface your going to be pissed.
Without proper tools, slow and steady is going to give the best results.
BillWojo
where did you bought it ?
Comparing price, a multi-use cnc seems to be more powerfull
Yes...
Of course result is more professionnal, more easy, cheap for little size with delay...
No...
- When China will respect ecological rules and offer normal wages, not sure that prices stay low.
- A local solution is better for quick prototyping, for a single board or a piece of cabling (fuse, led board...)
- Crisis recall us that rely on others countries can be a problem
- A milling machine can be used for pcb,
YouTube
and also for panels with motor upgrade
YouTube
of course you may need times for thick plates
all mods pieces are on Thingiverse.
Thanks for the replies! I think I'm going to go for the Proxxon 240/E with MB 140 stand for now. I can put off the chassis stuff for a bit.
The current challenge seems to be designing the board. I'm not sure how small I can realistically make the traces and gaps, if I can go between DIP pins etc. Routing everything is also a bit mindbending!
With regards to home vs professional fabrication, firstly, I just enjoy making stuff from scratch, even when it might not be the most 'sensible' option. Secondly, I've looked at various PCB fabrication prices online and I can never find anything reasonably priced for a one-off board. I'd love to be corrected though!
Thanks,
James
The current challenge seems to be designing the board. I'm not sure how small I can realistically make the traces and gaps, if I can go between DIP pins etc. Routing everything is also a bit mindbending!
With regards to home vs professional fabrication, firstly, I just enjoy making stuff from scratch, even when it might not be the most 'sensible' option. Secondly, I've looked at various PCB fabrication prices online and I can never find anything reasonably priced for a one-off board. I'd love to be corrected though!
Thanks,
James