How to cut PCBs at home

[akis]

Does anyone know of a way to cut PCBs at home? Say you have a large board and you want to cut out small pieces.

One way is to use a Stanley knife to score the copper on both sides and as much of the board as possible and then try to snap it on a clean straight edge. This method is too slow and prone to accidents and slips with the blade.

I have also tried an electric jigsaw - the problem here is that the fibreglass boards destroy the jigsaw blades very easily, a few centimetres cut and the blade is worn out.

Can someone please suggest another method? I have looked at shears, like these: Sealey 3S/4R 4 x 10mm Metal Cutting Shears: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

but I have never used such a tool and am not sure how it would work. Would the PCB stay still or would it fall off and crack maybe?

Thanks for suggestions

 

[dchisholm]

There are several threads on the Forum dealing with this question. A bench-mounted sheet metal shear may be the most commonly mentioned solution, though not always practical due to cost or space. I have had decent results with a tool operating on a similar principle - a heavy-duty, table-top paper cutter (the kind with a guillotine-arm blade). I occasionally see them for a few dollars at second-hand stores.

Yes, it is very important to secure the PCB material in place while cutting. Otherwise the cut is not straight and may even fracture into the board.

Dale

 

[Andrew Eckhardt]

A 24-36 TPI carbide tipped 5-1/2" circular saw blade would work very well so long as you prepare for the dust. Framing blades for these saws have a very narrow kerf with all the obvious advantages. I don't know if the finish blades can be found as thin but for a sheet of glass-epoxy the more teeth the better. An appropriate blade in a tile saw would be nice if you have or can borrow one. The water would trap the nasty dust. Just some alternative, alternative ideas.

 

[akis]

Amazing. As soon as I read "tile cutter" it clicked! I remembered I had two tile cutters in the garage. The manual one, seen on the right works by scoring the tile and then snapping it, obviously not good for PCBs (but I tried nevertheless). The tile saw on the left is the business! It cut through the PCB like butter, and it gave off a little dust, but nothing significant. I am not sure I want to put water in there, since some PCBs have pressed paper in between. Anyway, the results are fantastic and it seems I do not need to buy a new tool!

 

[hongrn]

I use a back saw. Cuts straight boards, no dust.

 

[ChrisA]

I use a table saw but any wood working tools will cut PCBs as long as you get the good grade carbide tipped blades. The carbide blates will last nearly forever and then after 20 years they can be sent in and sharpen. So don't work about the cost of the blades.

A Hack saw in a miter box works too.

 

[CBS240]

As I like to use small SMDs and boardhouses charge extra (alot extra) for special cut patterns, I draw the daughter boards in the same field and use a drimmel with the cutting wheel mandral and a jig to seperate them.

 

[Mihkus]

I bought 4" in diameter full carbide sawblade that has over 5000 or even more small teeths like hacksaw blade....

Then used 320W single phase electric motor flat belt drive and few other items
Clean and fast cuts, also i cut alot small aluminium and stainless steel sheets with it, its like small tablesaw.

It costs alot and not sure if its worth building...

You can use anglegrinder too... ALOT OF DUST! dont breath this crap.
Even if i use vacum to get rid of the dust i always wear dust mask.

 

[akis]

Thanks for all suggestions. I think I will use the tile cutter which is like a small table saw, as in the phone above.

I have not yet tried to cut photo-resist boards, those that come covered with a protective film - will the saw cut through the film, or will it rip it / melt it ?