Drill Press for PCBs - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Legion
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2014, 01:50:16 am
content: Any recommended bench top drill press models for custom PCB work? I'm not sure if the sub-$200 models (Skil 3320, Ryobi DP102L, etc) will work, the reviews seem kind of all over the place. I'd be will to spend as much as $500. I just want something with good quality that isn't going to burn out after a couple uses. I'm in Toronto, Canada.

author: sleemanj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2014, 03:39:21 am
content: Are you presently drilling with a hand-held drill and now want a drill press, or have you not yet drilled any holes and just think you will need a drill press.If it's the second case, try using a hand-held drill with standard HSS bits first, for most hobby purposes it will be fine, either with a dremel (probably the flexible shaft might be easiest) or with a small DC motor and collet chuck, example:http://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-Smaill-PCB-Drill-Press-Drilling-Motor-w-0-6mm-0-7mm-0-8mm-0-9mm-1-0mm-1-2mm-/231025746719I use the motor and chuck hand-held, I can drill pretty quick, maybe 2 seconds per hole on average, with a 24v motor ripped out of a printer. Fairly accurate provided the pads are center etched to locate the bit. I use 0.8mm and larger bits.If it's the first case and you've had enough of hand drilling and want a press (or want better accuracy), then as above the Dremel press doesn't have good reviews, too much slop. You also need something that can really spin fast to make good work of the holes with our small bits. Runout must be almost none (especially for carbides, HSS is not so much a problem, again as long as the pads are center etched).The type of drill in Fran's video is often seen on ebay (and aliexpress etc) out of China, she does mention she had to mod it to improve runout but I don't think she went into details how, perhaps contact her and ask.

author: jeremy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2014, 03:53:10 am
content: I know the electronics workshop near me uses a proxxon press and have done so for many years.

author: Legion
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2014, 03:56:37 am
content: Quote from: jeremy on April 10, 2014, 03:53:10 amI've heard Proxxon mentioned before. Anyone use it?http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0017PUR1Y/ref=s9_simh_gw_p469_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1HN121ACN2VYHV9W9MPA&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1688200382&pf_rd_i=507846

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2014, 04:35:49 am
content: Proxon is a nice press, I think it was originally a jewelers press. On ebay search for "drill press 8500" and you should find the unbranded variants.http://www.ebay.ca/sch/i.html?_odkw=press+8500&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xdrill+press+8500&_nkw=drill+press+8500&_sacat=0

author: Dago
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2014, 05:39:55 am
content: I suggest you forget drilling and just order pre-made PCBs. You can get a massive amount of them with 500$.

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2014, 06:09:44 am
content: Quote from: Dago on April 10, 2014, 05:39:55 amI wouldn't call 20 boards massive amount of PCBs. Ok maybe you can do 50 at $10 a pop, but that's pushing it and still not massive.

author: ElektroQuark
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 10, 2014, 06:36:45 am
content: I have the PROXXON. VERY stable, easy to use and precise. I would highly recommend it.I was so impressed that now I have some of their other tools in my bench (rotary tool, bench shaw, micro mill).My previous tool to make the holes was a DREMEL Professional, hand held. Now it is in a drawer.

author: GeoffS
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 10, 2014, 06:40:56 am
content: For drilling PCB's you want carbide bits and high speed. As the bits will be quite small, you need good control over feed rate which you won't get from a alrger drill press.Most drill presses tend to max out at around 4000RPM. If you get something like the Proxxon with a drill stand, you can get to 20000RPM.Don't consider the Dremel for this. While it has high speed bearings, they are rubber mounted so not much accuracy. I'm sure it helps keep vibration down.The jewellers drill press mentioned above has a maximum speed of 8500 so would probably do the job.

author: Dave
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2014, 07:56:35 am
content: I have a Proxxon TBM220 and use it with carbide drill bits. Even though it's only capable of 8500RPM, it still works like a charm.Do invest in carbide drill bits, HSS just doesn't work well with fiberglass and you end up with "volcano" holes (the edge of the hole gets pulled up - you can imagine how it looks). Carbide bits, on the other hand, make very clean cuts and the edges stay flat like they should.You do have to be careful not to break your carbide bits. Not that much when you're drilling, but when moving the PCB around under the bit. Put just slightly too much lateral force on it and it's gone.

author: jlmoon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 10, 2014, 03:08:46 pm
content: Hello,For many years I have had great success using a Unimat Lathe / Drill press combo for drilling one off copies of boards. They are somewhat expensive these days due to collectors setting the values but their accuracy is amazing! Taigwww.taigtools.comis another great source for some really accurate equipment. One of those, good carbide bits and patience and you're set!JLM

author: Legion
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2014, 03:14:28 pm
content: I just ordered the Proxxon drill press as well as the Proxxon rotary tool from amazon. Really hope they're good because I'm tired of MacGyver-ing components together as soon as I run into something that isn't 0.1" breadboard/protoboard friendly.

author: ice595
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2014, 04:00:44 pm
content: High five, im from Toronto too.I just bought the dremel attachment from Canadian Tire last week. you can mount a dremel to it and use it like a drill press. the attachment costs about $70 and you can spend the rest of your budget on a dremel if you don't have 1 already.keep in mind that you might need a drill bit that a dremel can grip on to, i used a CNC drill bit and my dremel can grip on to it quite nicelyheres the link to the dremel attachmenthttp://m.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/dremel-drill-press-attachment-0544701p.htmli'll post a picture of my setup when i get home tonight.

author: TMM
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2014, 04:03:51 pm
content: Quote from: GeoffS on April 10, 2014, 06:40:56 amI already had a dremel and the workstation 220 press is a lot cheaper than any complete mini drill press i could find in Australia. It works great for 0.8mm. <0.4mm is probably pushing it. If someone already has a dremel I'd recommend trying the workstation press. If they don't then it's probably better to buy a proper mini drill press.

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2014, 04:06:23 pm
content: this dremel attachment is a piece of sh*t for pcb drilling. it's not rigid enoughtyou will break one drill every two used if you're drilling less than 1mm diameter.definitely the proxxon is far far far beyond for pcb drilling. (and the rest !)

author: Suffer1981de
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2014, 04:17:20 pm
content: Quote from: kripton2035 on April 10, 2014, 04:06:23 pmSorry can't sign this. Drilled multiple boards with Dremel + 220 Workstation with zero Problems. Diameters 0.6 and 0.8.Greetings

author: ice595
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2014, 04:25:02 pm
content: drilling any holes with <0.6mm diameter would require really percise eye balling and hand coordination

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2014, 04:26:26 pm
content: I'm usingthis drill stand(the former model) andthis drillwith Bungard drill bits for years.

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2014, 08:27:04 pm
content: I have a Proxxon TBM115 and it's definitely a quality, precision machine. I use carbide bits for pcb drilling, but I've never used anything but the lowest speed and I've never broken a bit. I was so impressed with their little drill press that I bought one of the MF70 micro mills. I've never really used it for much of anything other than cutting out rectangular or odd shaped holes in front panels, but it does an excellent job of that. Fortunately, I bought these machines 10 years ago, when they were much cheaper. I think I paid about $149 for the drill press.