cutting vero board

[Night0wl]

Could someone please tell me the best method of cutting a vero board?

I have a 12" piece of it and I need to cut it down to several small pieces. Sorry for the Noob question but I don't want to experiment and break/shatter/wreck the board because it is the only one I can get for a few weeks.

I was thinking hacksaw?

Thanks
Shane

[jimmy54]

I did this for the first time a few days ago (yes, I was a vero virgin).  I used a stanley knife and metal ruler and scored the board on both sides then just snapped it with my hands.  I'm sure someone with more experience will chip in with a far better method though.

[Night0wl]

Thanks jimmy54. I just did a search through the forum and found a thread similar to this one. I think most people cut the vero's with the technique you discribed.

Cheers

[johngreene]

In the past I've used:

Hacksaw (good results)
Exacto knife with straight edge (ok results)
Metal shear (best results)
Tin snips (bad results on large cuts, ok for small, <1in, cuts)
paper cutter (ok results, but the paper cutter no cut paper anymore)

--john

[alteredsounds]

Good hacksaw in a vice and taking care!

[AdamB]

Depending on the vero you can just run a sharp knife (I use a stanley knife) down in-between the copper tracks where you want to cut it, then just snap it along that line. I haven't had any problems with that.

I also did it a couple of times with a hacksaw, this takes alot longer, and you have to sand down the edges usually to get them smooth, both produce the same sort of results tho.

-Adam

[freak scene]

but what if i want a circle, or a rounded edge?

[Paul Perry (Frostwave)]

A circle? I can't think of many cases where you couldn't get by with a hexagon or octagon straight edge approximation. Otherwise, you could make an octagon (all straight cuts) then file it down (though, phenolic tends to catch and shatter).
FWIW, I use a tile cutter to score the material, then snap it. (the scored edge faces UP when you snap it). Remember fiberglass PCB dust is bad for your lungs. It goes in, but it doesn't come out.

[Rick]

A small bandsaw (even just a cheap 80-100$ Delta) if you can afford it, will cut thru' a 12" board in just a few seconds, round your corners too. Good investment 'cause you'll find plenty of other uses for it.
Short of that, try a portable jigsaw / hacksaw / Dremel with cutoff wheel (just to score the board - then snap it) / utility knife etc. Then just file or sand the corners smooth. Again if you have the bucks a small stationary belt sander is a great time saver for this.   ...Rick

[hairyandy]

I use my Dremel with a cutting wheel.  Just wear a mask 'cuz that stuff goes everywhere!

[cab42]

FWIW, I use a tile cutter to score the material, then snap it. (the scored edge faces UP when you snap it). Remember fiberglass PCB dust is bad for your lungs. It goes in, but it doesn't come out.

What a great idea! I actually have a tile cutter and no tiles to cut.

Carsten

[PB Wilson]

I use a small jeweler's saw with a fine blade. With practice you can cut them out in any shape to fit around switches or jacks. I like them because the blade is very thin and I have lots of control.