RE: Optimum speed for drilling pc boards??? - jyourison - Tube DIY Asylum

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RE: Optimum speed for drilling pc boards???

In Reply to: Optimum speed for drilling pc boards??? posted by grhughes on May 27, 2012 at 08:30:13:

I would say go slow. You can also use a pin chuck with "wire guage" small bits to make good-fitting holes if you are using through-hole components and soldering them in without eyelets. Sometimes I will use finger pressure only with the pin chuck when working with #55 and higher numbers. It will dig in and drill just fine, but it takes longer than a drill. The finger pressuer is less likely to break tiny bits, a risk when using a power drill.

Otherwise you can slip the pin chuck into a variable speed drill, and go slow at first. On metal you want to take it slow. If you need to drill through a layer of copper and then out the other side with a layer of copper for a two-sided connection, use a waste piece of MDF or wood to back it up so you don't push the copper off the back or leave a burr.

If you are in the USA, Woodcraft stores sell a pin chuck and a nice set of the smallest #61-80 bits (or someting like that range). Both pin chucks and small bits are also available on Ebay. For thicker wires like those on on wirewound resistors, diodes and snap-in 'lytics, etc., get a few bits in the #48 - 59 range at a hardware store like TrueValue. They sell them singly. You can skip numbers and get a few -- four or five -- you don't need them all. I seem to use 53, 55 and 57 for a lot of things.

Hope this helps,
Jeff

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Optimum speed for drilling pc boards??? - grhughes 08:30:13 05/27/12 (11)

RE: Optimum speed for drilling pc boards??? - h00hbt 21:52:50 05/28/12 (0)

High speed drilling is used in PCB manufacturing plants - Naz 15:53:07 05/28/12 (3)

Thanks! Is 8500RPM too slow for carbide bits? nt - grhughes 16:13:55 05/28/12 (2)

I'm no expert but although it's at the low end I think it will do - Naz 16:28:21 05/28/12 (1)

I've used 8,000 RPM with carbide PC drills and it works just fine for low volume projects... - Steve O 19:37:52 05/28/12 (0)

RE: Optimum speed for drilling pc boards??? - Neff 10:10:51 05/28/12 (0)

Thanks! Rethinking my approach! - grhughes 08:48:18 05/28/12 (0)

Slow and Steady Wins the Race... - Interstage Tranny 17:20:43 05/27/12 (0)

RE: Optimum speed for drilling pc boards??? - Mossback 15:59:51 05/27/12 (0)

RE: Optimum speed for drilling pc boards??? - jyourison 11:16:26 05/27/12 (0)

this may work.................... - bouncy ball 09:02:15 05/27/12 (0)

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RE: Optimum speed for drilling pc boards??? - jyourison 11:16:26 05/27/12 (0)

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