how are you cutting your circuit board material?

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pula58
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how are you cutting your circuit board material?

Post by pula58 »

I have been using a hand held sabre saw with a straight-edge clamped to the table as a guide.

I have wondered about using a plastic scoring tool and then breaking the board along the score. Anyone tried that?

I am using the 1/6" and 1/8" thick Flame-Retardant Multipurpose Garolite (G-10/FR4)
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selloutrr
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Re: how are you cutting your circuit board material?

Post by selloutrr »

I've used a water cooled diamond blade tile saw a few times on the glass epoxy boards. Table saws on vector and fender fish board
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NickC
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Re: how are you cutting your circuit board material?

Post by NickC »

pula58 wrote:I have been using a hand held sabre saw with a straight-edge clamped to the table as a guide.

I have wondered about using a plastic scoring tool and then breaking the board along the score. Anyone tried that?

I am using the 1/6" and 1/8" thick Flame-Retardant Multipurpose Garolite (G-10/FR4)
I do it the same as you, and wear a 3M dust mask and safety glasses. You don't want to be breathing in that fine powder. Nasty stuff.
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echuta13
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Re: how are you cutting your circuit board material?

Post by echuta13 »

I use a small wet tile saw to keep dust down and cuts clean. Goes without saying that I wear a dust mask as well.
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jelle
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Re: how are you cutting your circuit board material?

Post by jelle »

I actually use a wet tile in an open garage with a big fan behind me. The big fan really helps against the dust.
10thTx
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Re: how are you cutting your circuit board material?

Post by 10thTx »

Hacksaw & it goes thru the material in nothing flat with almost no dust.

with respect 10thtx
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LeftyStrat
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Re: how are you cutting your circuit board material?

Post by LeftyStrat »

I use a table saw with a really good dust collection system and a fine tooth blade. I also made a sled to cut it in for safety.
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jelle
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Re: how are you cutting your circuit board material?

Post by jelle »

What is the dust collection system?
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LeftyStrat
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Re: how are you cutting your circuit board material?

Post by LeftyStrat »

jelle wrote:What is the dust collection system?
It's a home brew system based on the research of this guy:

http://billpentz.com/woodworking/cyclone/

All you could ever want to know about dust collection systems, and how current commercial offerings fall short.

That spun off a company offering kits:

http://www.clearvuecyclones.com

I have a smaller cyclone that no longer offer.
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jelle
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Re: how are you cutting your circuit board material?

Post by jelle »

Thanks, much appreciated!
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Blackburn
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Re: how are you cutting your circuit board material?

Post by Blackburn »

I think a little dust adds character. :P
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LeftyStrat
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Re: how are you cutting your circuit board material?

Post by LeftyStrat »

Blackburn wrote:I think a little dust adds character. :P
The guy that did all the research on that web site had some serious health problems related to dust, even though he had a dust collection system.

It's those ultra-fine particles that you can't see that are bad for you. A lot of wood species are also carcinogenic.
It's never too late to have a happy childhood.
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Blackburn
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Re: how are you cutting your circuit board material?

Post by Blackburn »

I know, I was just being a rascal. I've had my share of dust inhalation and hope it doesn't come back and bit me in the arse! Real bad day was when I stripped my old Ampeg V4 cab and sanded it down. Some kind of black paint or something coating the cab as well as the dust that made their way into my throat and lungs. I was hocking black shit all that day! I guess it was worth it if you saw my cab when it was finished. :lol:
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David Root
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Re: how are you cutting your circuit board material?

Post by David Root »

I have always used my little bench mounted three wheeler 12" band saw, using a fine tooth metal cutting blade. Don't have much trouble with the dust, the bandsaw drags much of it down thru the platten.

Hand guided, then squared up on a 4" belt sander with a very worn #36 belt. Will have to break down and get a new belt soon!
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Gaz
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Re: how are you cutting your circuit board material?

Post by Gaz »

Wet tile saw is the only way. I built a little 'sled' that fits on the saw so I can cut long pieces length-wise and keep them straight.
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