Homebrew PCBs

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Alessio Sangalli <alesan@...> wrote:
>
> Hi, I think I am becoming good at making holes even for vias and of 
> course for through-hole components. I can make tiny holes, the results 
> are very satisfactory, but part of the procedure is complicated.
> 
> First of all, I bought these:
> http://www.harborfreight.com/20-piece-solid-carbide-micro-bit-grab-bag-44924.html
> 
> but they looked so fragile, I do not have a press, just a regular 
> dremel. So I returned them and bought:
> 
> http://www.harborfreight.com/30-piece-hss-mini-drill-set-94606.html
> for 4 dollars, 30 bits that work fairly well!!!
> 
> The only problem is that the dremel can only take rather big bits. For 
> this reason I roll some tape around the bit up until the diameter is 
> compatible with the dremel collet, and then I drill. Sometimes I can 
> only make one hole, other times I can make 20 but eventually the bit 
> will "slide in" and I have to remove it, replace the tape and start 
> again. This takes a lot of time.
> 
> Suggestions?
> 
> bye
> as
>


I only use carbide bits, the steel ones wear out way too fast with glass epoxy PCB. The drill press I had was not precise enough so I made my own for drilling PCBs, it works great. The time it saves is well worth the $40 or so it cost me to build.