Bits for CNC PCB making

[Mustachio]

Hey guys!

I just purchased a 36"x48" CNC machine, It should be here in a few days! So I'm trying to get ready with all the extra drills and bits ill need to start with. I've done a lot of research and have found some people like and/or dislike the 30 degree carving bits. Mainly because depending on how deep you go will affect the width of the trace. I also have read about the issues of a level surface and probing the material to compensate for uneven surfaces.

http://phk.freebsd.dk/CncPcb/

So I'm wondering if any of you have any preferences on what type of bit to use for isolation milling of the pcb traces. And any suggestions on what I should buy to start with to do pcb's and some enclosure engraving. I've seen the upcut router bits, the fluted end mills , carving v bits etc I know there's tons and I don't mind testing out many till I find what works best for my set up , but any suggestions will be great help as this is a "bit" new to me.

Was looking at this to start with.
https://www.drillbitcity.com/catalogue/product_detail.asp?Tg=301-R8WSFBRB

Also later on I want to use this machine for wood and plexi signs guitar bodys and ton of other projects, so suggestions for wood working bits for larger projects is welcome too!

I've seen a few people on here mention owning cnc machines , Any info, and tips would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks guys!
Jimmy

[amptramp]

I would suggest getting a copy of Machinery's Handbook to learn what you need to know about cutters for various types of metal.  Copper and its alloys are usually cut using tools with with zero rake angle and different speeds and feeds than steel or other materials, so you should find out what to order in the way of cutters and how you should program the unit to cut the various materials you are contemplating.  I have Machinery's Handbook 23 which is getting a little old now, but I wouldn't be without it.  If you are looking at wood, acrylic (plexiglass), aluminum, copper, steel, epoxy-glass and a whole laundry list of materials, then you will need a lot of bits and they all have to be designed for the materials you have in mind.

[Mac Walker]

Are you planning on doing through-hole or surface mount only?

A 0.8 mm bit will allow you to mill standard 0.1" through hole stuff, and using a peck routine, you could drill the holes wiithout having to do a tool change.

Although it goes without saying, you will break a lot of bits, it's just the nature of the beast.....

What kind of design software / G code interpreter are you using?

[Mustachio]

Hey thanks for the info guys!

I'll look into the machinery's handbook sounds like its something I should read for sure. I'll need to learn this about the rake angle. As for feed speeds and spindle speed I've learned a bit about but I'm going to have to experiment a little and start slow with this machine from what I've read.(depending on the material like you say) For cutting the harder materials I'm planning on using a Craftsman digital router I have mounts coming for it. It's pretty neat you can put in the type of material and it auto controls the spindle speed for you! No VFD Needed!

Nice Mac! I'm really only planning on doing mostly through hole. I've done SMD IC's once for the pearl octaver build and I have a few extra IC's in smd but I don't plan on making anything smd maybe one or two down the road. I'm not doing any large or production runs with this machine or at all. This at the moment is just hobby and learning new skills

For software I have been using eagle cad lately to design circuits and pcb-gcode to get my tool path. And last night I found this awesome auto probe software when looking at the last link I posted.

http://www.autoleveller.co.uk/

I tossed in a tap file from my gcode output and it looked like it was ready to go.

For the control software I'm planing on using Mach3 to start with and Later I might experiment with LinuxCNC.

For vector graphics I've been using inkscape lately , But I own an older adobe suite with illustrator I used to use for work but its a few versions old and on my last format I haven't installed it again. Also I used to work in the cad/viz world and I own an older version of 3ds max and autocad I'll probably end up doing some designs in them and trying to take them over to tool path software. I have the design side covered but I need to learn more about taking that info and getting it to tool paths. I seen Vcarve looked rather nice! But I need to save my pennys now before I can buy fancy software like that. Just spent all my money on the cnc machine.

I actually started using sketchup after my last format because I needed something quick and easy to knock out a fast design for those boxes. I hadn't used sketchup since It first came out and was surprised how much nicer it got. I still prefer 3ds max just because I'm more used to the tools and interface but that being said sketchup is plenty good enough. And I found a sketchup to g-code plugin!

http://sketchucam.jimdo.com/

So what type of 0.8mil bit are you suggesting ? Something like the 0.8's on this page ? I see one for Lines/spaces/rf microwaves

http://mctinfo.net/lpkf-tools/cat_21.html

And at the moment I have wire size bits with the ID ring I used for drilling pcb's on my bench press from #69-#80 But those are all for basicly drilling holes and not routing a path.
And I have a 180 bit dremel set with some router and diamond bits.

Found this bit of info as well So I think I might pick up a few of these V bits for cheap off ebay to test out. Might be good with the autoleveller

http://www.millpcbs.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=23&Itemid=47

Been watching some of this guys videos too , and he seems to have a lot of great info!

::Edit::
He starts talking about the tolling bits around 8:25

Thanks again for the info guys it's greatly appreciated!

::Edit::
I looked again and might pick these up, I think this looks like what your talkn about mac
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TEN-2-Flute-Carbide-End-Mill-Bits-0-80-mm-1-32-Router-PCB-1-FL-/171107743119?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27d6d0f58f

I like the ones with the ring on them

Checked my my bits I have on hand and I think I have a few that might work ok

[Mac Walker]

Regarding the 0.8 mm bits, you need one without any taper if you want to peck drill the holes, something like this:

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-shipping-5Pcs-0-8mm-PCB-milling-cutter-Corn-milling-circuit-board-drill-bits/1414827247.html

The last one you linked appears to have a small amount taper, although it looks like there is enough straight portion to make it through the board before it reaches the taper(for drilling holes).

Might actually be less prone to breaking....

[Mustachio]

Nice thanks for the link Mac! Aliexpress is pretty good deals most the time just the wait kills me haha but ill pick some up thanks man!

I'll Give give a few diff bits a try once I get the machine set up.

This bit looked pretty neat for maybe doing enclosure engraving

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-4-DIA-DIAMOND-DRAG-ENGRAVING-BIT-STAINLESS-BODY-TAIG-SHERLINE-CNC-MINI-MILL-/281220849048?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item417a119d98

little pricey for me right now though