Lino cutter for simple pcb layouts

[Yazoo]

I keep looking at etching pcb layouts but the thought of the chemicals always puts me off. I'm the kind of person who always washes their hands two or three times after being anywhere near acid.

Anyway, I've just built the Valve Caster and to do this I needed to mount the tube holder on a pcb. It's not a complicated layout and the parts count is small. For my first attempt I used a Dremel grinding disk to do the pcb. This was OK but it was difficult to avoid overcutting into adjacent tracks. I then tried using a lino cutter. These only cost about £4 and it worked out well. I used the finest blade and rather than trying to just push straight along a cut I "waggled" and slowly pushed.

This method isn't going to be very useful for complicated layouts but definitely worth using on smaller items.

[R.G.]

If it works, do it.

[cpnyc23]

are you referring to something like this:

http://www.dickblick.com/zz402/03/

-chris

[Ardric]

I fear inhaling PCB dust more than I fear getting etchant on my skin.

[Yazoo]

Yes, the Speedball linoleum cutter is very similar to the lino cutter I used. The other advantage is that you don't get any dust flying up, as you would using a Dremel disk cutter.

[cpnyc23]

cool.  thanks for the tip - I think I'll have to check one out.

-chris

[jpm83]

Can you do a pictorial of some sort on this method?

Janne