Cut PCB islands , without a drill press.

[vlad777]

Hi,

I made this video on how you can cheaply cut PCB islands
on a copper clad for circuit construction.

https://youtu.be/tDQJO4en7Ws

[Cliff Matthews]

I agree a Dremel tool can do it, but expenses could be high (not only on purchasing the bits, but carpel-wrist fatigue too). You're right about a drill press taking up space, but low cost table-top units are cheap these days. I made a trepanning tool from a broken drill bit and it has lasted a long time. For cutting straight lines, a miter-box and careful use of a fine pitch hacksaw can be useful as long as the pcb will fit. I do like your use of the Dremel for the pot though..

I found another good video, for those interested.

[kalel]

Those islands look good, but just curious, is this cheaper or easier to work with than protoboards?
Obviously, for some SMD stuff there is an advantage (but I believe some veroboards can be used for some SMD, and I'm not sure how easy it would be to manually get tiny islands for SMD stuff anyway).

Just curious about the advantages, other than the fact that it looks nice.

[Rerouter]

bare single sided laminates are defiantly cheaper than protoboard,

If i had a drill press at the time, I likely would have ended up going down this path, but as i didnt, I now just lay out and home etch any board i need quickly,

This method is not that great for anything involving IC's whereas the dremel one can likely get by. but yes it would kill your wrist after about 40 circles.

[T3sl4co1l]

Burrs are messy and rough.

I just use a utility knife and slice out a wedge from the surface.  Makes nice straight lines, and can make very fine cuts.  With a little preparation and care, TSSOP footprints can be made.

Tim

[bd139]

I cut off strips (guillotine/aviation shears) and glue them on. Far easier. I can do SOIC / SOT223 / 0805 with that easily but I tend to just use TH stuff as I have massive stocks.

CIF sell really thin FR4 which you can cut easily for strips.

[cdev]

You''re right, little chunks of veroboard - the kind with a solid ground plane on one side. (I don't have much and I'm running out) can be cut off pretty easily and it works pretty well. (Its just perfboard with one side completely covered with copper if anybody knows where to get more, I'd like to buy some. My stuff is old, I got it at an estate sale, I didn't buy it from any current sources).


Quote from: kalel on 2017-09-12, 04:08:01

Those islands look good, but just curious, is this cheaper or easier to work with than protoboards?
Obviously, for some SMD stuff there is an advantage (but I believe some veroboards can be used for some SMD, and I'm not sure how easy it would be to manually get tiny islands for SMD stuff anyway).

Just curious about the advantages, other than the fact that it looks nice.