Good tool for cutting PCB material

[robmdall]

Found today at Home Depot for only $4.88. Works like a charm. Makes nice long, straight cuts , even trimmed of about 1mm of board with no problems.

Thought I would share with the community at such a great price.

Of course, YMMV....

http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp231/robmdall/photo.jpg


28if

[jasperoosthoek]

Cool! I've only cut perfboard which I scratch with a knife and break. This should be perfect for perf too.

Did you have the brown or green boards? The green ones are a lot tougher.

[mikemaddux]

how thick was the board?

[robmdall]

Sorry about that, forgot to mention. I use 1/16" MG Chemical presensitized (1/2 ounce copper- single side) board.

28if

[therecordingart]

Nice find! I've been using a pair of tin snips the past few years which work pretty well.

[Kearns892]

Thanks! I had been using a hacksaw which took a lot of time and blunted blades so fast.

[John Lyons]

The board you use will make a big difference in how it cuts.
If you use FR-4 (usually light green) then it will cut snoother
and without chipping. The brown CEM (composite epoxy material)
as well as other colors will chip and or fracture as it cuts if you use
hand shears.

[alanlan]

I use a tile saw which has the added bonus of being lubricated with water which eliminates dust.  No good if the board is already populated though.

[caress]

The board you use will make a big difference in how it cuts.
If you use FR-4 (usually light green) then it will cut snoother
and without chipping. The brown CEM (composite epoxy material)
as well as other colors will chip and or fracture as it cuts if you use
hand shears.

yep.  i've found that if you score the brown boards with a razor or exacto first it's much easier to trim without fracturing.