Table saw to cut boards?

[mojotron]

I just tried the score-and-snap method and that is great. I've been using a hack-saw and dremel for years - score-and-snap works great, I'll waste some copper clad to use this on various sized boards, but I think I can work around that.

Thanks guys!!

[salocin]

I've recently been converted to the score and snap method. Prior to that it was the score-it-to-death method. I havent found the need to score both sides, so long as you snap the board in the direction of the side that the score is on.

[frank_p]

A lot of people seem to worry about using a respirator for cutting circuit boards. I've never thought of it before. Do you think I should be using one for cutting stripboard with a hacksaw in the garage. By the way a hacksaw isn't a particularly way to do it. It is very had work sometimes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PBDE
http://msds.chem.ox.ac.uk/PH/phenol_formaldehyde_resin.html
http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/factsheets/fiberglass.htm
Plus, when overheating: gases such as formaldehyde,other aldehydes, various ammoniac and chlorine compounds, dioxin, ozone, nitrogen oxides, etc... etc...
in different concentrations.

Use your judgement.
And keep in mind that toxicology is a complicated science, even more in it's applied form.

[culturejam]

I've tried many ways of cutting PCBs, from a coping saw to a Dremel to a scroll saw to the old cut-and-score method. The best was I've found, as a few others here have pointed out, is to use some kind of shear or metal snips. It's quick, easy, neat, and doesn't create harmful dust. Also, you can get cheap tin snips for about $10 or so at a big-box hardware store.

[demonstar]

Thanks Frank!

[Jered]

  Guys, they make score and snap tile cutters. Similar to the exacto method mentioned earlier but much safer, and very easy. Its all built into the table of the cutter. One pass to score it, apply a little pressure to snap the board. Great for straight cuts and no spinning blade throwing dust into the air. A cheapy at Harbor Freight is around $20
  For curved  cuts a good pair of shears is great. A bit of advice, buy the best shears you can afford. A $3 pair of shears will dull quickly and lose its edge. A $20 pair will last a few years, or longer. The cheapo tile cutter seems to be handling the copper boards no problem. Its been about three years now it its holding up great.

[tranceracer]

  Guys, they make score and snap tile cutters. Similar to the exacto method mentioned earlier but much safer, and very easy. Its all built into the table of the cutter. One pass to score it, apply a little pressure to snap the board. Great for straight cuts and no spinning blade throwing dust into the air. A cheapy at Harbor Freight is around $20
  For curved  cuts a good pair of shears is great. A bit of advice, buy the best shears you can afford. A $3 pair of shears will dull quickly and lose its edge. A $20 pair will last a few years, or longer. The cheapo tile cutter seems to be handling the copper boards no problem. Its been about three years now it its holding up great.

Great suggestion.  If I knew about this a year and a half ago I would have gone with tile cutter.  $20 vs. $70 w/ the same results, I'll go with the $20 any day!   

[alanlan]

I've got one of these (Plasplugs diamond wheel tile saw).  it was relatively cheap (I use it for tiles normally) but it's great for cutting PCBs and the advantages are:

1) It uses water as a lubricant so there's no dust (at least not dry)
2) It has a straight edge so you can cut very neat lines at precise measurements
3) It is very quick and effective and the diamond wheel lasts for ages

On the down side, it is a bit noisy so it's not the kind of thing you could use in your kitchen at 2am without upsetting your wife/husband/kids etc.
Also, as there is water involved it can be a little messy - definitely one for the garage/shed.

[gutsofgold]

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=38173

I'm looking at that thing, seems to be perfect!

[R.G.]

Here's a superior solution, except for being more costly.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90757

[davent]

Hello,
A diamond cut-off disc in your Dremel should work great, will cut through the pcb material like a hot knife through butter. I use a respirator and eye protection too!  Mount the pcb in a pivoting drill press vice and pivot the jaws up so one face of board is parallel to the bench top. Position the vice so the exposed edge of the board is parallel to and an inch or two back from the edge of the workbench. You use the knuckle of the first finger of the hand holding the Dremel as a guide against the edge of the workbench.  Sliding your Dremel hand along the edge of the bench you can get a nice straight cut through your board. Does that make any sense?     If it's not perfect,  coarse sand paper backed with a hard sanding block (or disc sander, belt sander, etc ... whatever you've got at your disposal ) will make quick corrections

dave

[R O Tiree]

Water-cooled/lubed tile cutter here as well. Only about £30 from B&Q here in UK.

[runmikeyrun]

I have a friend who lays tile for a living who suggested letting him cut a few boards for me with his tile saw. That is something you may want to look into. It squirts water on the suface to keep down the dust as it grinds more than cuts through the board. The cuts left very sharp edges that had to be sanded, but other than that, it did an excellent job. The blade is designed for tile and should last forever cutting circuit board. At about $85 at my home depot, that something i hope to add to my collection shortly.

Or you could save up a lot of boards and rent one for 4 hours at minimal cost.

[Jered]

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=38173

I'm looking at that thing, seems to be perfect!

  That's the one I'm talking about. No dust and no need for water. Just score and snap, its cake.