Slightly [OT] Low volume PCB cutting methods

[Rob]

Many thanks for all the suggestions and advice guys.

best regards

rob (in Oz)

 

[Ian Buckner]

Many thanks for all the suggestions and advice guys.

best regards

rob (in Oz)

One I've not seen suggested - do a google on "metal nibbler".
The "cut" will be wider than a saw, but it should fix the
warpage you get with ordinary tinsnips.

Regards
Ian

 

[Gary A. Crowell Sr.]

I run a small workshop in which we manufacture our own prototype PCBs.

In the past presensitised board has been cut with a bandsaw. The saw blades
life is very poor and the blades break frequently. We have also tried an
electric coping saw with even worse blade life and a small bench guillotine
which tends to lift the presensitised layer from the copper.

I was toying with the idea of using a diamond rod/wire blade fitted to the
coping saw.
Can anyone please offer me some guidance in the best methods they have found
for cutting F/G board in this environment.

Thanks
Rob

Since nobody has brought it up yet, I thought I'd mention that some folks have
reported good results with a blade-type paper cutter.

GC
(__ (__ (_____ (______ TM
(__ (__ (__ (__ (__ (__
(__ (__ (__ (__ (__
(__ (__ (__ (________ V1.64
(__ (__ (__ (__
(_____ (____ (__ (__ Freeware CP/CG Calculator
(____ (______ (__ (c)1996 Gary A. Crowell Sr.
[email protected]
http://myweb.cableone.net/cjcrowell

 

[Tom Loredo]

I've used a nibbler (the $10-$20 variety you can get at Radio Shack and
many other places). It works pretty well, but is a slow way to go, and
it's slightly tricky to get the edge really straight. I wonder
if a powered nibbler would work:

http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=81556

That's a link from Micro-Mark's web site (http://www.micromark.com/). They
also sell two small shears that may work:

http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=82818
http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=82820

Please post your experiences if you try one of these!

Peace,
Tom