Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Milling / drilling PC boards on home shop CNC equipment.

> Did you build from plans, or BUY? Can you post pix?

I bought it surplus and put the McMaster screws on it. Previously it had 1:2
screws instead of 1:5. I wanted the .001 accuracy. I might be able to take
some digital pics of it in a few days and post them in the files area.

> I have a new one with flex shaft I'm itchin' to try.

DO NOT let the Dremel flex shaft curve too much. I cooked one to a crispy
critter like that. I'd advise a holder that holds it vertical if you use the
flex shaft.

> How about a cheap die grinder (air)? Should I be thinking of using
> that?

To me, a 'die grinder' is a rather heavy tool. What I use is more like a
pencil. I happened to buy mine at Woodcraft but have seen them in Harbor
Freight and other such catalogs.

> I think I follow that, but sure would appreciate a pix!

I've taken pictures of this thing for many folks. This time I'll upload it
to the Yahoo drop box so I can just refer them there.

> And MDF is a dense foam, wasn't that a thread a while back (I knew I
> should have read it closer)?

MDF is Medium Density Fiberboard. It looks like cardboard. You can find it
at Home Depot, Lowes etc... It's also a great material to make the whole
router out of. It's not a polymer foam product.

> Thanks for the instructions. This is good stuff for a website!

If I had the time, I'd do that.

> I JUST posted a comment on Ztrace, sounds like you're not to hot > on it.

I'd be glad to fill you in on Ztrace off list. All I'll say here is I
wouldn't pay the postage for it.

> But Kellycam is $125, and you feel it's up to the job for hobbyists
> (more?)? Eagle was one program I was exploring.

Kellycam works great. I have tried Eagle just to see how well it worked and
it works fine for isolation. I just can't warm up to it as board layout
tool. Too many years with Protel, Orcad and Pads I guess.

If I already used Eagle, I'd stay with that. If I didn't have anything I'd
buy Kellycam just for the Isolation path creation that outputs G code files
and the Excellon file import that outputs G code. I've been using Isolator
Pro for several years. ( $2K ) and it outputs HPGL. So I've been stuck using
a CNC controller that imports HPGL. But now that I have Kellycam, I do the
isolation and Excellon import in Kellycam, save the G code files, then fire
up Master5CNC for the drilling / milling.

> I don't think I ready to shell out that much for Protel, the other
> programs I'm hoping will do it for me! Then again, it's something
> I'd like to write!

I'd like to write a good isolation program as well. But I have too many
hardware projects to finish first. I'm stuffing the first board on my Mosfet
based stepper controller this evening for a smoke check. I've also got a
nice pile of Altera FPGA's calling to me to do a PCI interface card and tray
of 160 Coolrunner CPLD's that I ended up not using for another project that
might make a good stepper controller instead of an L297 or microcontroller.
So I won't be writing isolation software anytime soon.

But I have been milling prototype PC boards for over 5 years with my setup
and I know it works well.

later,
Larry E.