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PCB slicing

A project log for PCB /SMT MAKER LAB @ Home

This project outlines how to do advanced PCB making at home with proper tooling. Tooling includes a laminator and hobby laser.

mosaicmercmosaicmerc 01/20/2016 at 09:070 Comments

Well, my days of scribing and snapping PCBs are now over. Was a bit inaccurate and FR1 boards have a nasty chance of splitting.

With this 4" table saw (portable desktop) unit:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AEZ70AO?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

I can get precision, repeatable cuts at the cost of about 1/16" of PCB 'loss' when using the diamond blade as supplied. The cut is smooth and precise.

Cutting with the toothed 'wood' blade also works but isn't as clean, causes copper swarf and about 3/32" of PCB is 'lost'.

Highly recommend it! Blade swap in about 2 minutes with a pair of spanners or sliding wrenches.

I cut the box it came in down to about 3" tall to place the whole unit inside and 'contain' all the 'dust' & 'dross' from the cuts....barely any back splash of dust that way.. I plan to make a custom variable 'fence' with my laser cutter. But a couple of small G clamps and a bit of 1/4" alum. channel is good for a quick adjustable fence at any time.

Now I can make custom fit RF cavity filters using PCB material....how's that for a hack?

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