.031 Copper Clad - Too thin??

[chi_boy]

So I bought the DecalProFx system to do pedal finishes and thought I would give their PCB Fab-in-a Box a shot too.  In for a penny, in for a pound, right?

Their product is PCB stock that is .031 thick with 1/2oz copper.  So I picked up some .031 single side 1oz on eBay.  I received it, but man, is it thin. 


Does anyone have any experience working with such thin PCB?  Good or bad?

Or does anyone have experience with the Fab-in-a Box laminator and can it handle thicker boards than they say?

Thanks,
George

[spargo]

Pretty sure I got stuff that thin, if not maybe even .024.  I like it, mainly because it has less copper and etches faster and is much easier to drill.  I've only broken 1 drill bit ever on the stuff, I'd imagine the .064 is a lot tougher on bits.  I actually got the .064 to begin with and decided it was just too difficult to drill and cut up so I switched.

[MikeH]

Less copper = less heat dissipation, so it might be more prone to trace lifting while soldering, but as long as you solder quickly and efficiently you should be fine.

[trixdropd]

That's what I use, and I've had no issues except sometimes when desoldering a mistake.

[JKowalski]

I got some thin CC the other day and I don't like it. Much rather prefer thick, sturdy PCB to bendable (just seems like it's guaranteed a short lifetime)

Never again for me.

Spargo -> The oz rating (amount of copper per unit area) determines the etching time-thickness of board does not necessarily imply similarly scaled copper deposit. For example, I have some thin 2oz PCB, takes ages to etch.   

[spargo]

Right, but my thin boards have less copper than my thick boards.

I've burned mine to near death while desoldering things and have never had a problem with the copper lifting.

[Taylor]

I got some thin CC the other day and I don't like it. Much rather prefer thick, sturdy PCB to bendable (just seems like it's guaranteed a short lifetime)

OTOH...

[chi_boy]

I got some thin CC the other day and I don't like it. Much rather prefer thick, sturdy PCB to bendable (just seems like it's guaranteed a short lifetime)

OTOH...

Absolutely true for many things in life.  In particular women and work.  The question is: is a solder joint on an .031 PCB an Oak or a Reed?

I'll try the .031 for some smaller boards, but I also ordered some .047 to see if the laminator will spit or swallow.  The .031 could be cool for faceplates too.....

[Taylor]

The question is: is a solder joint on an .031 PCB an Oak or a Reed?

Exactly.    I'd be interested to know if some testing has been done. Common wisdom would agree with Chris's conclusion, I'm just curious about it.