Homebrew PCBs

Can any one recommend a supplier for FR-3 (paper-reinforced epoxy) boards in 
Canada?  I spent a while poking at the website, but I don't think digikey 
carries them.

I'm looking for paper-reinforced epoxy since I've got this cnc-converted mill 
and I was reading that I should stay away from glass-epoxy boards.

Also, what are the guidelines on board thickness and copper thickness?  Do 
people typically use 1oz copper 1/6" thick boards for most projects?  (I'm 
building stepper controller circuits.)

Regards,
Sebastien Bailard
RepRap.org - self-reinforcing 3D printer project.
p.s.  For people interested in building a RepRap, I've got a forum up here:
http://sebastien.webfactional.com/forum
If it takes off, we'll move it onto the main site and make it official.

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Sebastien Bailard <penguin@...>
wrote:
>
> Can any one recommend a supplier for FR-3 (paper-reinforced epoxy)
boards in
> Canada? I spent a while poking at the website, but I don't think
digikey
> carries them.
>
> I'm looking for paper-reinforced epoxy since I've got this
cnc-converted mill
> and I was reading that I should stay away from glass-epoxy boards.
>
> Also, what are the guidelines on board thickness and copper thickness?
Do
> people typically use 1oz copper 1/6" thick boards for most projects?
(I'm
> building stepper controller circuits.)
>
> Regards,
> Sebastien Bailard
> RepRap.org - self-reinforcing 3D printer project.
> p.s. For people interested in building a RepRap, I've got a forum up
here:
> http://sebastien.webfactional.com/forum
> If it takes off, we'll move it onto the main site and make it
official.
>




You might want to check Ebay there are several vendors selling copper
clad, but have not seen paper backed.

If you are building stepper control boards, if one sided I would use the
2oz copper for the heavy traces needed for the current.  Have you been
on CNCzone?  PMINMO has quite a few stepper boards and interface boards
as well.

good luck

Charles

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Sebastien Bailard <penguin@...>
wrote:
>
> Can any one recommend a supplier for FR-3 (paper-reinforced epoxy)
boards in 
> Canada?  I spent a while poking at the website, but I don't think
digikey 
> carries them.
> 
> I'm looking for paper-reinforced epoxy since I've got this
cnc-converted mill 
> and I was reading that I should stay away from glass-epoxy boards.
> 


You can get paper/fibreglass from Farnell, it's a lot better than SRBP.

Leon

On Wed, 07 Feb 2007 11:08:39 +0100, Sebastien Bailard  
<penguin@...> wrote:

> I'm looking for paper-reinforced epoxy since I've got this cnc-converted  
> mill
> and I was reading that I should stay away from glass-epoxy boards.
> Also, what are the guidelines on board thickness and copper thickness?

Might have a bit of a hard time finding it, although the parts suppliers  
here sell it. Surplus FR4 from ebay is far cheaper though.

> Do
> people typically use 1oz copper 1/6" thick boards for most projects?   
> (I'm
> building stepper controller circuits.)

Typical is 35u and 1.5mm thick (1oz and 1/16"). 18u is common because  
board houses use it plating it up to 35u, it will be fine for most  
applications and etches a little faster. You can also get 70u or 2oz  
boards, for high current or thermal conductivity (although again board  
houses tend to plate it on if they need more copper). Common thicknesses  
are also 1mm, 0.5mm, much more rarely thicker boards with 3mm. But you  
really want 1.5mm unless your boards are very small or something.

ST

>I'm looking for paper-reinforced epoxy since I've got this cnc-converted mill
>and I was reading that I should stay away from glass-epoxy boards.

As there is an epoxy layer under the copper, is better to use 
phenolic, in order to spare mills.
Cristian