PCB Cutting...again

[culturejam]

I usually etch several circuits on one larger board (either 4x3 or 6x3) and then cut them. I've had great success with scoring with a wallpaper knife or common utility knife and just snapping. I find that if I score with a ruler guide and make a nice deep groove, I get very straight, clean breaks. But if my larger board layout doesn't lend itself to nice easy scoring cuts, then I use my scroll saw. The scroll saw works quickly an d doesn't create as much dust as using a Dremel. However, fiberglass will wear out a scroll saw blade pretty quickly, so make sure you have plenty of extra blades on hand.

[Myriad Society]

I know that this thread is a rather old now but I wanted to post a quick update. I decided to take RG's advice on this after a little debating, a tad bit of waiting and a LOT of convincing the wife it was a good idea to let me spend the money on this. Anyway, I bought the 8" Shear/Brake from Harbor Freight and it works great!

Very easy to line things up; makes perfect, clean and precise cuts every time very easily and produces almost no dust. I say "almost" as you can never seem to get away from it but it's a very minute amount per cut. I would have gotten a 12" one but they don't sell that size any more so had to settle for 8". One thing to note though, you will not get anything thicker than a standard 1/16" (.062) PCB into the cutting slot on this thing but it works great for PCB's + you have the press brake built in which could be handy possibly for fashioning internal brackets and various what-nots for diy wah pedal enclosures and things of the like.

Moral of the story: If you've thought about getting this or something like it and make enough PCBs that you feel it would be worth the monetary investment...it will make your life easier and your lungs happier...nism

[gez]

Haven't read thru this whole thread, so apologies if this has already been said.  Manual tile cutters are a waste of time.  They don't do the job well and the blade rips up the copper.

Save up for some PCB shears (guillotine).  No dust, clean cuts, safe, lasts for years.  Right tool for the job.  Anything else is a false economy.

[frank_p]

Thanks Gerry,
I'll forget the tile cutter idea then.

[Pigyboy]

Old thread but the question I have is anyone using a guillotine paper cutter for the normal .068(2mm) pcb? I found a fairly burly cutter that can do 20 sheets of paper delivered in Spain for 60 euros where the cheapest pcb shear I can find is £180 before delivery. I read that the pcb does not split or crack when cut with the guillotine and was wondering if anyone is using this method. I already bought this thing and i will let you all know what I find.
Cheers,
Chris