I just got my first batch today – they are great! Better than I expected.
One question though. One of the boards I ordered two of, and they were shipped stuck together (i.e. not cut into two pieces) by mistake. Is there a safe way to cut them apart using household tools? Has anyone cut one with a simple box cutter / razor blade? I only have about 3-4 mm to work or I’ll cut a trace. What’s the best way to go about this?
Andrew
Hi,
Did you order them as two separate boards, or as just one design entry?
Regarding cutting them, a sharp xacto knife + a steel ruler, and many passes might work.
Cheers,
–David Carne
Hmm, I also put in my order with two boards stuck on the same panel. I gave each their own clear border on the silkscreen layer and explained in the comments field to cut them apart if necessary when I ordered. I hope they came out all right.
As for cutting pcbs, scoring and breaking works, if you have the patience. A good sharp knife with replaceable blades helps a lot, since the PCB wears them down quite fast. I suspect that a standard router with a fiberglass/metal cutting bit would work, but I haven’t tried it out yet.
The two that stuck together were two copies of the same board. When ordering I increased the quantity of the board to 2, and both came together. I also ordered two of another board in the same batch which came separated.
I will try scoring with a ruler + xacto knife and see how it goes. Thanks for the suggestion.
Hmm. I do apologize for that.
We can’t make any guarantees about boards which are put together in one design, but if you order qty 2 of something, they should definitely be separate.
I can look into getting the boards remade if you want.
Cheers,
–David Carne
It shouldn’t be a problem, though thanks for the offer. The boards are very small and I see how it it could have been overlooked. I am very impressed with the quality, so that makes up for it!
Andrew
All done. I just used a razor blade. Took about 20 minutes. It was slow going but worked well. Only one small scratch on the surface over a few traces. Hopefully it doesn’t cause a problem, but I can rework it if there is a problem.
I just got mine, and they were cut apart just as I asked. They look great, thanks. I’ll probably have another order in weeks.
Mike
busonerd:
We can’t make any guarantees about boards which are put together in one design, but if you order qty 2 of something, they should definitely be separate.
Dave,
I had a single design go through BatchPCB a few months ago and it was returned with a “tab” along one side. I think it was from incomplete routing while this PCB was cut from it’s neighbours on the same panel. I was able to clean it up.
I’ve used hand tools (small hacksaw, files, sandpaper block, Dremel tool with drills and discs) to fashion PCBs and cut bulk ‘perf boards’. The PCBs are made of glass fibre and will quickly dull steel tools.
Another favourite tool is a bench mounted woodworking router with carbide tipped bits.
A little care, safety first, and amazing things can be fashioned at home!
Comments Welcome!
Peter
Amazingly, I have not yet found a dremel bit capable of getting the job done.
I use a sheet metal shear on PCBs, does them like a champ!
You mean like tin snips? On fiberglass pcbs? That doesn’t sound feasible at all…
No, I think hes talking something like this beast:
http://www.lclark.edu/dept/nsshop/objec … _sheer.jpg
Foot powered (some are mechanically powered, for the wimps of us out there =) ). Cuts through sheet metal like butta! Cuts through 1/8" steel like butter as well. And fingers. And apparently PCB.
