Drill Press for PCBs

[Legion]

Any recommended bench top drill press models for custom PCB work? I'm not sure if the sub-$200 models (Skil 3320, Ryobi DP102L, etc) will work, the reviews seem kind of all over the place. I'd be will to spend as much as $500. I just want something with good quality that isn't going to burn out after a couple uses. I'm in Toronto, Canada.

[sleemanj]

Are you presently drilling with a hand-held drill and now want a drill press, or have you not yet drilled any holes and just think you will need a drill press.

If it's the second case, try using a hand-held drill with standard HSS bits first, for most hobby purposes it will be fine, either with a dremel (probably the flexible shaft might be easiest) or with a small DC motor and collet chuck, example: http://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-Smaill-PCB-Drill-Press-Drilling-Motor-w-0-6mm-0-7mm-0-8mm-0-9mm-1-0mm-1-2mm-/231025746719
I use the motor and chuck hand-held, I can drill pretty quick, maybe 2 seconds per hole on average, with a 24v motor ripped out of a printer.  Fairly accurate provided the pads are center etched to locate the bit.  I use 0.8mm and larger bits.

If it's the first case and you've had enough of hand drilling and want a press (or want better accuracy), then as above the Dremel press doesn't have good reviews, too much slop.  You also need something that can really spin fast to make good work of the holes with our small bits.  Runout must be almost none (especially for carbides, HSS is not so much a problem, again as long as the pads are center etched). 

The type of drill in Fran's video is often seen on ebay  (and aliexpress etc) out of China, she does mention she had to mod it to improve runout but I don't think she went into details how, perhaps contact her and ask.

[jeremy]

I know the electronics workshop near me uses a proxxon press and have done so for many years.

[Legion]

I know the electronics workshop near me uses a proxxon press and have done so for many years.

I've heard Proxxon mentioned before. Anyone use it? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0017PUR1Y/ref=s9_simh_gw_p469_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1HN121ACN2VYHV9W9MPA&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1688200382&pf_rd_i=507846

[pickle9000]

Proxon is a nice press, I think it was originally a jewelers press. On ebay search for "drill press 8500" and you should find the unbranded variants.

http://www.ebay.ca/sch/i.html?_odkw=press+8500&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xdrill+press+8500&_nkw=drill+press+8500&_sacat=0

[Dago]

I suggest you forget drilling and just order pre-made PCBs. You can get a massive amount of them with 500$.

[miguelvp]

I suggest you forget drilling and just order pre-made PCBs. You can get a massive amount of them with 500$.

I wouldn't call 20 boards massive amount of PCBs. Ok maybe you can do 50 at $10 a pop, but that's pushing it and still not massive.

[ElektroQuark]

I have the PROXXON. VERY stable, easy to use and precise. I would highly recommend it.
I was so impressed that now I have some of their other tools in my bench (rotary tool, bench shaw, micro mill).
My previous tool to make the holes was a DREMEL Professional, hand held. Now it is in a drawer.

[GeoffS]

For drilling PCB's you want carbide bits and high speed. As the bits will be quite small, you need good control over feed rate which you won't get from a alrger drill press.
Most drill presses tend to max out at around 4000RPM. If you get something like the Proxxon with a drill stand, you can get to 20000RPM.
Don't consider the Dremel for this. While it has high speed bearings, they are rubber mounted so not much accuracy. I'm sure it helps keep vibration down.

The jewellers drill press mentioned above has a maximum speed of 8500 so would probably do the job.

[Dave]

I have a Proxxon TBM220 and use it with carbide drill bits. Even though it's only capable of 8500RPM, it still works like a charm.

Do invest in carbide drill bits, HSS just doesn't work well with fiberglass and you end up with "volcano" holes (the edge of the hole gets pulled up - you can imagine how it looks). Carbide bits, on the other hand, make very clean cuts and the edges stay flat like they should.

You do have to be careful not to break your carbide bits. Not that much when you're drilling, but when moving the PCB around under the bit. Put just slightly too much lateral force on it and it's gone.

[jlmoon]

Hello,

For many years I have had great success using a Unimat Lathe / Drill press combo for drilling one off copies of boards.  They are somewhat  expensive these days due to collectors setting the values but their accuracy is amazing!  Taig www.taigtools.com is another great source for some really accurate equipment.  One of those, good carbide bits and patience and you're set!

JLM

[Legion]

I just ordered the Proxxon drill press as well as the Proxxon rotary tool from amazon. Really hope they're good because I'm tired of MacGyver-ing components together as soon as I run into something that isn't 0.1" breadboard/protoboard friendly.

[ice595]

High five, im from Toronto too.
I just bought the dremel attachment from Canadian Tire last week. you can mount a dremel to it and use it like a drill press. the attachment costs about $70 and you can spend the rest of your budget on a dremel if you don't have 1 already.
keep in mind that you might need a drill bit that a dremel can grip on to, i used a CNC drill bit and my dremel can grip on to it quite  nicely

heres the link to the dremel attachment http://m.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/dremel-drill-press-attachment-0544701p.html

i'll post a picture of my setup when i get home tonight.

[TMM]

Don't consider the Dremel for this. WHile it has high speed bearings, they are rubber mounted so not much accuracy. I'm sure it helps keep vibration down.

I already had a dremel and the workstation 220 press is a lot cheaper than any complete mini drill press i could find in Australia. It works great for 0.8mm. <0.4mm is probably pushing it. If someone already has a dremel I'd recommend trying the workstation press. If they don't then it's probably better to buy a proper mini drill press.

[kripton2035]

this dremel attachment is a piece of sh*t for pcb drilling. it's not rigid enought
you will break one drill every two used if you're drilling less than 1mm diameter.
definitely the proxxon is far far far beyond for pcb drilling. (and the rest !)

[Suffer1981de]

this dremel attachment is a piece of sh*t for pcb drilling. it's not rigid enought
you will break one drill every two used if you're drilling less than 1mm diameter.
definitely the proxxon is far far far beyond for pcb drilling. (and the rest !)

Sorry can't sign this. Drilled multiple boards with Dremel + 220 Workstation with zero Problems. Diameters 0.6 and 0.8.

Greetings

[ice595]

drilling any holes with <0.6mm diameter would require really percise eye balling and hand coordination

[madires]

I'm using this drill stand (the former model) and this drill with Bungard drill bits for years.

[rdl]

I have a Proxxon TBM115 and it's definitely a quality, precision machine. I use carbide bits for pcb drilling, but I've never used anything but the lowest speed and I've never broken a bit. I was so impressed with their little drill press that I bought one of the MF70 micro mills. I've never really used it for much of anything other than cutting out rectangular or odd shaped holes in front panels, but it does an excellent job of that. Fortunately, I bought these machines 10 years ago, when they were much cheaper. I think I paid about $149 for the drill press.