RE: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] milling circuit boards

Most proper commercial circuit board cutters sold as routers (really just a
bind bore end mill) have 1/8 inch shanks and are then stepped to various
cutting diameters.

You can often scrounge used ones from the commercial PCB manufacturers, they
tend to replace loads in one go so the skip is full of good ones if you sift
through.

They are solid carbide and good for machining all sorts of hard things other
than pcb. I picked up a box of 100 2mm dia ones at an amateur radio do for
£5, a good price when compared to mill cutters.



I hold mine in a small stainless 1/8 to ¼ collette that fits in the normal
collet. My adapter is just a bit of ¼ inch silver steel, drilled 1/8 in the
lathe and slot cut with a junior hack saw blade. Does the job well.

Hi speed is important with these or they break, you can get away with 2000
rpm, but 10,000 to 20,000 and beyond is more what they are designed for.



Regs Mark (M0VAU)



_____

From: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of KM6VV
Sent: 06 October 2006 16:29
To: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] milling circuit boards



HI Ron,

I agree about the cost of having one or more boards made. I'll save that
step for later...

1/8" endmill? The tip of the cutters I use is .007", as I recall. 1/8"
won't cut it! (pun intended). What 'ya want it for? Contact me off-list if
you want.

If you want to use a 1/8" endmill, you can probably just draw something up
in a CAD program.

Alan KM6VV

> [mailto:CAD_CAM_EDM_ <mailto:CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO%40yahoogroups.com>

DRO@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of R Rogers

>
> Those services aren't free or even cheap compared to taking a $4 piece of
> board and milling it yourself. They usually have a 3 board minumum and by
> the time they get through with their games, it's close to $200 for one
> design. Someone who is experimenting with different designs, that could
> get expensive.
>
> Speaking of, does anyone have a small board layout that can be ran with
> like a 1/8" endmill? If so and wouldn't mind sharing it, please email to
> rogersmach@yahoo. <mailto:rogersmach%40yahoo.com> com
>
> Something in Bobcad or DXF format, doesn't matter what it is.
>
> Thanks, Ron

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