Drilling PCBs

[Fndr8875]

so right now i have a harbor freight cheap ass rotary drill   http://www.harborfreight.com/80-piece-rotary-tool-kit-97626.html

Im that it totally sucks compared to a good dremel but hey im poor so gotta make due, i do have there carbide bit set which seems pretty nice and has no problem making good clean holes. Any way just curious what everyone else uses.

Im gonna build this mini pcb drill press next weekend

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRMfrnUsrr0

im really excited, itll be cheap to build, just need some wood, 5v motor, the rails off an older IDE cd/dvd rom, and a few random other pieces. It runs off of a 3.7v battery, which in the beginning of the video you see(i think) what looks like the batteries that were in older cordless phones, its wrapped in blue plastic and has the little molex connector coming off it, he doesnt specifiy in the video but i caught a glimpse of it in background when he has build materials laid out. Basically all ill need to buy is the chuck that fits on the tip of the motor, some aluminum, and possible the batteries. I dont wanna do the dremel + the add on press, and im tired of drilling by hand. Ive just started making my own boards, and the drilling is really tedious and ive had several where im fatigued and mess up a trace or pad in a crucial spot

[amptramp]

A chuck that fits the motor may be a bit of a problem you would not have with a Dremel press and you can get the Dremel press pretty cheap from third party suppliers.  You can lash something together with radiator hose clamps to hold the Dremel.

[Fndr8875]

yea, the dremel deal will be my next option if i get into any problems with will this chuck fit or whatever. What dremel do you use? seems there are two categories, home/ hobbyist use, and heavy duty. Like if you go to walmart you can get one for like 25 bucks and the next step up is like 40 or maybe 50 bucks. If you go to home depot think the cheapest one was like 80 bucks. considering ive been using the harbor freight one and yea its not quite enough power for cutting, sanding is slow, etc. But it still works

image upload

used my scotch laminator from walmart, love it. So glad to be done with iron. couple holes got screwed, so im not gonna build this one

[bloxstompboxes]

http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=108847.msg993459#msg993459

Works a treat doesn't it?!! I hated the iron. Everyone says to turn it up as hot as it will go and press hard... blah,blih,blah. Too much heat and pressure causes the toner to get too liqud and smear causing uneven traces/pads and shorts. The laminator works much better. Mine is still going strong, so far.

[davent]

I use a Dremel and press, cheap endoscope and a laptop. Upgraded the endoscope holder to one with an articulated grip, easy to adjust and setup.

http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=105520.msg950670#msg950670

dave

[stallik]

Lots of replies in the following thread but here was my similar? Lash up which is still going strong
http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=105520.msg950821#msg950821
Oops, just realised its the same link as Davent's. Sorry for the duplication