Anyone use the Jameco mini drill press?

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autorelease

Joined Jan 26, 2009
39
I've been using a Dremel and the drill press attachment to drill PCBs, and it has quite a bit of flex. Recently I noticed Jameco sells a mini drill and stand:

http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=26702
http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=26711

Has anyone used these? The price is quite attractive ($26 for the stand and $35 for the drill) and it looks sturdier than the Dremel stand. Should I go for it?


Second question: What's the best way to cut PCBs without a power tool? I almost destroyed my paper cutter trying to cut 1/16" FR4 and it barely cuts 1/32" FR4. Plus, the cuts it makes aren't completely straight.
 

beenthere

Joined Apr 20, 2004
15,819
I have a 45 year old drill press for PCB's. It turns up 17,000 RPM.

To cut, I got a 4" table saw from Harbor Freight. It's close to junk - the bearings are not good and the solder to the brush holders is bad. But the dry diamond blade just runs through FR4. It's very dusty, so I use a shop vac and wear a good dust filtering mask.
 

gerty

Joined Aug 30, 2007
1,305
We have one here at the school, it doesn't work very well. The drill motor itself tilts on the loose slide. It's nearly impossible to use carbide bits without breaking them because the motor tilts as you put minimal pressure on the handle.
 

retched

Joined Dec 5, 2009
5,207
http://www.google.com/products/cata...ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBgQ8wIwAA#ps-sellers

This is what I use. Very stable. The only bits I break now is when I try to hand hold the pcb when drilling.

And if you want a good, powerful, rotary tool that accepts all dremel bits, get the Black and decker RTX. You should be able to find both on amazon under $50 delivered.

And the Jameco, is ony 55mm wide. You can only use the dollar store type rotary tool with it.

The Milescraft is a bigger tool, still benchtop, and holds a variety of rotary tools. It also rotates 90deg so you can use it as a chop saw or to hold a buffing or sanding pad sideways like a grinder.
 
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