[OT] Using a Dremel tool for drilling PCBs

[samiam]

I have a Dremel tool with RPM adjustable from 5000 to 35000. Would it

be practical to use it to drill the holes by hand?

My buddy did it this way back when he did hobby boards. I thought it was
insane but hes got infinite patience.

I use a drill secured on a bench/drill press - that allows me freedom of
movement. The only thing I am missing is one of those affixed light
sources shining down. But I usually turn on my living room light
and the halogen light and thats enough illumination

I know Dremel makes a drill press for the tool ... would it be a big advantage?

hell yeah!

How long should I expect the drill bits to last?

Depends on how careful you are. Without the bench/drill press - you are
looking at wasting a lot of drill bits.

What type should I get (HSS, carbide, diamond, other)?

carbide is what I get - off ebay. I have about 5 containers of those 50
pack types with varying sizes from 17.7mil to 45mil. For larger holes
and or holes for standoffs/spacers I use titanium drill bits

Good luck

 

[samiam]

Should I solder from both sides if the holes are not plated? Would I

need to stick a piece of wire through for hand-drilled vias, or would a
plug of solder establish the connection?

I used to make small vias but they were always a pain to solder. So for
my latest work - I use larger vias (25/50 verses 17/32) and its easier
to just stuff jumper were through it - solder one end - flip it over and
set it on foam and solder the other end then snip off the excess


I am doing this on the two 8x5 double sided boards I built with the
toner transfer method recently

 

[samiam]

Yup. I made my own: http://www.delorie.com/pcb/dremel-stand/

I can use 13 mil drills with it, without breaking them, and with
reasonable accuracy.

Yep - expect the developer of the pcb software to make his own stand.

dude that rocks!!!

 

[samiam]

Sigh.

www.olimex.com

quitters never win

 

[ehsjr]

I need some advice about PCB prototyping.

I plan to use a laser printer, an electric iron, toner-transfer paper,
and etchant to make a few PCBs. Then I will need to drill the PCBs. I
expect to have about 150 holes per board.

I have a Dremel tool with RPM adjustable from 5000 to 35000. Would it
be practical to use it to drill the holes by hand? I know Dremel makes
a drill press for the tool ... would it be a big advantage?

What kind of collet or chuck should I use?

How long should I expect the drill bits to last? What type should I get
(HSS, carbide, diamond, other)?

Drill stand adapter for the Dremel is mandatory.

Dental burrs are great for drilling PCB holes.
I find them far better than the PCB bits I've tried.
Some dentists will give you their used burrs.

Ed

 

[Jasen]

I used to make small vias but they were always a pain to solder. So for
my latest work - I use larger vias (25/50 verses 17/32) and its easier
to just stuff jumper were through it - solder one end - flip it over and
set it on foam and solder the other end then snip off the excess

what do those numbers mean?



Bye.
Jasen

 

[samiam]

what do those numbers mean?

inner/outer rings

 

[Matt]

inner/outer rings

diameters in mils (thousandths of an inch) of the drill holes and the
pads, unless of course I am wrong ...

 

[joseph2k]

Does it occur to anyone that there might be fewer of these "little PCB fab
houses" making "pretty good" software if you create software (a raster to
gerber converter) that forces them all to compete strictly on price and no
longer on what tools they provide?

Just something to think about...

Are there houses that actually use Gerber photoplotters, or does just the
file format remain?