Useful idea when drilling PCBs

[Gurner]

The thing is with CNC machines...it's really down to its intended use - for me ...acrylic & pcbs - neither of which stress the machine that much. But when you start mentioning motorocycle parts, I start envisioning milling steel parts etc - that needs a very expensive machine (on account it need to be *very* strong & rigid).

This was the machine I bought....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Panther-210-CNC-Router-PCB-Engraver-mill-Machine-/230715495294?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35b7b7137e (I think it might be referred to as a sable CNC machine in the States....typing that into youtube will get you plenty videos of the same machine)

actually, having only used it for a couple of weeks...it'll be going up for sale. Nothing wrong with the build per se, but they stretched the boundaries a little with respect to feed rates (how fast the tool can move about), it's a little too slow for my needs, so it'll be going up for sale. I reckon it'd be capable of light aluminium work, if you kept the cut depth small....but then this would take a good while to complete a part!

Most make the mistake of thinking they can buy a machine that'll do everything well - this is not the case. A CNC machine for pcb needs a completely different spec to a machine for say milling aluminium...so be sure to nail down your main requirements well & hunt for a machine that suits. I found this site reasonably helpful .... http://cncdiy.org/ (click on 'how do I select a cnc machine for myself')

[Ice-9]

Thanks for the info on that, I did think as I typed out that motorcycle parts would be way over the cost of the type of cnc machine I would be aiming at. Something that can cut aluminium hammond type of enclosures would be about the most strenuious thing it would need to mill.

I will have a read up on the cncdiy.org you linked for me, thanks

[Ice-9]

Here is a CNC machine/kit diy unit that I came across some years back but now updated. The man who goes by the name Clanzer who does this used to make quite a lot of kit I used to use in the past. He is back with this new machine that is meant for lots of milling jobs, including accurate PCB milling, drilling and solder paste.

@Gurner, it might be a good read if your looking to get another cnc machine, also the Clanzer dude is easy to talk to and very helpful.

  http://www.cncdudez.co.uk/2011frameindex.htm

[chi_boy]

Anybody recognize what kind of drill press that is?  My Dremel press is kind of loose and makes me break bits once in a while. 

[defaced]

Anybody recognize what kind of drill press that is?  My Dremel press is kind of loose and makes me break bits once in a while. 

Proxxon is cast into the side of the press, you can see it in the opening seconds of the clip.  My guess is that it's this one: http://www.proxxontools.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=33&idproduct=32

[deadastronaut]

i can't read this thread...